Quiet Gestures, Gift Exchange and Public Formations: The work of D.A.N.C.E Art Club and Public Share.

October 2020

By Lana Lopesi, The Routledge Companion to Art in the Public Realm. Edited by Cameron Cartiere and Leon Tan.

Abstract: Often contemporary art working toward social justice outcomes can be loud and bold, however social justice can also take place in quieter and equally as powerful ways. At times, social justice takes form in the building and mobilising of communities through sharing and exchange. These kinds of subtle assertions are apparent in the social critiques which underpin the work of two artist collectives based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland New Zealand, D.A.N.C.E Art Club and Public Share. While the practices of D.A.N.C.E Art Club and Public Share both stem from incredibly different conceptual frameworks what we do have is two social practices of sharing, exchange and the social which are also inextricably linked to material production, form and materiality. What these two practices demonstrate is how quiet works can also contribute to social justice goals not just by what they seek to discuss but also by how they build communities of resistance and consciousness.

Garland Magazine

4 December 2017

Edited by Luisa Tora, our contribution written by D.A.N.C.E. art club

Excerpt: The moment of a lei being placed over your head is like entering a portal, everything that went into making this lei, the conversation, the transference of energy, the working hands, its a powerful thing. From there as the wearer you are framed and contextualised by this lei portal until you take it off.

Fuzzy Vibes presents: Night School

2014

Publication by Emil Dryburgh

This publication was produced after the Fuzzy Vibes presents: Night School exhibition and features contributions from invited artists including D.A.N.C.E. art club, Mark, Stuart Shepard, Warwick Broadhead, Robin Murphy, Chloe Geoghegan. Stephen Cleland, Alys Longley & Argos Aoteaeroa.

Review of Guinness World Record Attempt.

2014

Emil Dryburgh, Eyecontact

This article was recently removed by the writer in protest to the position of Eye Contact’s Editor in Chief John Hurrell around a recent white supremacist exhibition in Auckland. You can read more about this here. (Warning: the article includes images of swastikas taken from the exhibition)

Artspace File 6 Critical Text

2014

Written by Alex Mitcalfe-Wilson 

In response to the exhibition W e l c o m e curated by Ahilapalapa Rands at Artspace, September - October 2014.

The Work

2013

Produced by AUT University

Next Wave Festival Programme Publications

2012

Appliance 

April-May 2012

Artist Alliance Gallery Guide feature.

Making a Shout Out

Mark Amery considers D.A.N.C.E Art Club’s art project D.A.N.C.E FM 106.7 and the current creative potential of radio.

2012

Excerpt: With D.A.N.C.E FM 106.7 there was always an exchange going on: a giving of gifts. It was an exploration of how the act of social exchange in two groups of people meeting might be re-energised outside of traditional social structures. For sure, there was a mihi at a resthome and a powhiri at a school, but there was also always the sense of having to invent new ways to exchange based around the formality of creating something together. Full article available here.

Tautai Newsletter

March 2011

By D.A.N.C.E. art club & co

Excerpt: With a socially-driven practice, D.A.N.C.E. Art Club aspire to encourage audience participation and broaden conversations on art.

D.A.N.C.E. (Distinguished All Night Community Entertainers) Art Club consists of Linda T. Tanoai, Ahilapalapa Rands, Vaimaila Urale and Chris Fitzgerald. The four visual artists met while studying art at Auckland University of Technology and formed in 2008. Since then, D.A.N.C.E Art Club have staged a number of self-curated and self-funded events with a strong focus on collaborative practice. D.A.N.C.E. Art Club’s practice celebrates the social dynamic as a creative platform. Utilising themed music, entertainment and refreshments are some of the ways D.A.N.C.E Art Club encourages audiences to come.

Casual Romance Club II – Supplementary Publication

2010 

Produced by D.A.N.C.E Art Club

Rather than acting as a traditional exhibition catalogue, this publication extends on the work in the show and includes supporting artworks. Designed by Janson Chau & D.A.N.C.E Art Club. With thanks to Greer McDonald – Social media editor for www.stuff.co.nz, for her writing contribution

D.A.N.C.E publication

2009

Edited & designed by Janson Chau, Interviewer - Nova Paul