Laura Marsh & Ed Lust: The Stars Have Always Risen

Opening event - Thursday 21 June, 5.30pm

Visual artists Laura Marsh and Ed Lust have created a space to contemplate the significance and beauty of the Matariki constellation at the Community Gallery on Princes Street (next to the i-Site). Come in, lie back, and take part in very some very special stargazing. This exhibition will run for one week only.

‘The Stars Have Always Risen’ is a visual art exhibition comprising one installation of two pieces of work. The title refers to the fact that although the Matariki constellation has always been marked and celebrated as the beginning of the Māori New Year, since pre-European arrival, celebrations dwindled in the 1940s. In 2000 celebrations were reinvigorated - and this exhibition seeks to re-emphasise the importance of the event in our cultural history, suggesting that even if something goes ignored, its significance does not change.

One part of the exhibition will focus on the changing night sky and the characteristics of the Matariki stars, which have been described by scientists as young, hot and blue; their relative youth in astronomical terms means that they are hotter and therefore burn a bluish colour. Viewers to the exhibition will be able to simulate the experience of lying in the open watching the stars - something we hope will lead to contemplation of our place in the world and the importance of this time of year.

The two artists involved in the project are Dunedin-based textile artist Laura Marsh, who is the current Olivia Spencer Bower artist in residence and Christchurch-based video artist Ed Lust who has recently graduated from the Ilam School of Fine Arts with a Masters in Fine Arts. The exhibition is curated by Jamie Hanton, director of contemporary art gallery The Blue Oyster Art Project Space.

For more information contact

Jamie Hanton, Organiser
Phone: (03) 479 0197
Email: director@blueoyster.org.nz