The Otago Polytechnic School of Art is the proud owner of a new white cube space. Reporter Allison Rudd unravels its significance to students and staff.
With its industrial feel and pervading smell of new paint, the Otago Polytechnic's new professional art gallery looks as if it could easily double as a workshop or garage.
While spacious and light, the 100sqm room is functional - almost austere - concrete floor, white walls, and white ceiling punctuated by steel spotlight fames hiding lighting and electrical cabling.
But art school staff say the room, housed in its just finished art annex building, is exactly what it is supposed to be - a white cube space.
The term, common in art gallery parlance, refers to a deliberately abstract space which cuts all references to an outside world and allows the artworks to dominate.
"The white walls offer a kind of resistance. There are no excuses for not being professional about how works are displayed or hung," Head of School Bridie Lonie says.
Print-making tutor Neil Emmerson, one of several staff members on the committee which will manage the gallery, explains further.
"The idea is for the space to impact as little as possible on the art. The less you notice the space the better,"
But however unobtrusive, all the functionality and versatility required for the contemporary artist has been provided.
Three-pin plugs and computer data points abound overhead, on the walls and in the floor, while the floor-to-ceiling windows can be quickly screened when necessary.
In the adjoining storeroom, a complex-looking control panel enables a lone person to effortlessly adjust lighting, exterior light and data projection.
Over-height, double-width doors between the gallery and the storeroom, and between the storeroom and the yard, provide easy access for large artworks and sculptural pieces.
Both Lonie and Emmerson praise the "very clever" work of architect Regan Hall, from Dunedin firm McCoy and Wixon, whose job it was to incorporate the design requirements of art school staff and still deliver a finished gallery within budget.
"It takes a lot of attention to get a space [like this] which you don't notice," Emmerson says.
Opened a month ago, the gallery is a first for the art school and a long time coming for an institution founded in 1870.
Its major functions will be as a permanent "home base" exhibition space to show the works of students and others, and a teaching facility where students can not only practise the practical skills involved with mounting solo and group exhibitions, but where they can inspect others' work and carry out the theoretical parts of their studies, such as critiquing and commentary.
Students will also be introduced to the less glamorous side of exhibitions.
Lonie says the smell of new paint will probably never fade, as the gallery walls will be refurbished between exhibitions.
It will also have another important function, she says.
As a public space it will draw visitors to the art school.
"That connection between the school and the community is vital."
One of the course requirements for master of fine arts students (there are usually between five and 10 of them a year) is to mount a public exhibition for assessment.
Lonie says until now they have had to rely on exhibiting in many different places, including the Otago Museum, the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, regional public galleries and private galleries.
Securing space will no longer be a problem as those students will have priority in the new gallery.
A busy schedule of up to 20 exhibitions is already being drawn up for the rest of this year to show the works of other students and visiting artists.
Lonie hopes the gallery will also be able to feature touring shows from time to time, and exchange exhibitions from other New Zealand art schools.
Emmerson calls the gallery "a fantastic resource".
Lonie echoes that, saying it has been "a pleasure and a delight" to see the enthusiasm for the gallery already being shown by students and staff.
Where is it?
The gallery is in the art school annex building. Entry is from Riego St, off Albany St. Opening hours will vary for each exhibition. Check the Otago Polytechnic website for details. www.tekotago.ac.nz