Culture Bites: December 20

Friday, 20 December 2024

Kinetic art installation for theatre

Circa Theatre in Wellington has installed its external velarium made out of the architectural mesh dubbed Kaynemaile.

The feature is part of the theatre’s rebuild project which has been ongoing, and includes a redesign of its harbour-facing frontage, and a new restaurant and bar.

Stage one, which was completed early in 2024, included an entire repaint of the building, roof repairs to stop persistent leaks, and the full restoration of its eastern facade.

The kinetic art installation that’s been newly added is by Kayne Horsham. The material is a lightweight architectural fabric inspired by chainmail armour in The Lord of the Rings.

The facade design is by Sebastian Bernhardt of Inside Design.

Dame Carolyn Henwood, founding member of Circa Theatre, said she was very excited the building project was nearly complete, on time and on budget.

“It is a vibrant blue smiling at the water in our harbour and blowing and rippling in the wind. A very unique sight,” Henwood said. People were stopping to photograph it all day long, she said.

In January 2025, interior redevelopment is scheduled to be finished.

The new French brassiere restaurant Chou Chou will be opened by Jamie Williams then.

Henwood thanked the people of Wellington, and the many donors and trusts that contributed.

Diane Calvert, a Wellington City councillor who’s supported the rebuild project, said the council’s contribution of about $750,000 was well-spent investment on a “fantastic asset to the city”.

She described the wider area incorporating Tākina convention centre, Te Papa museum and Circa as “a little arts precinct”, which was “just what the city needs”.