This year sees the return of the University of Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning’s Urban Art Village installations.

Late Night Art on Thursday 13 October between 5–9pm will see Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Gow Langsford Gallery, Gus Fisher Gallery, Kura Gallery, Fingers Gallery, The Tuesday Club, and Cassette Nine open their doors after dark with exhibitions and activations.

Exhibiting at Late Night Art, the Urban Art Village will take over O’Connell Street for one night only. The University of Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning introduces nine specially constructed installations with interactive activities that investigate and respond to political and community events with an expression of art. In 2022, participation in this project offers university course credits.

Architect, artist, and teacher Matt Liggins has been involved in Urban Art Village for numerous years now and is contributing his own structure in this year’s Village called ‘The Friendship Waka’ where he’s created a project booth attached to the bonnet of his car to take people away on a conceptual road-trip.

Some examples of the structures that will be on display this year include work from a group called The Social Dreamers inviting you to participate in ‘This is an Education Emergency’, a collaborative installation advocating for shifts in tertiary education across Aotearoa to better value people over capital. Another structure is ‘Kiwi Dreamer’ which analyses Aotearoa’s fixation with the “Kiwi Dream” of owning a detached home on a quarter-acre section. However, Kiwi Dreamer is a response to the nightmare reality of this dream, disguised by a picturesque Ponsonby villa with a white picket fence, dainty mailbox, manicured hedge, and beamer. Quite a few of these works are a direct reflection on the world we currently live in and are sure to spark some interesting conversations at the event.

Urban Art Village 2022 artists:

• Matt Liggins | Friendship Waka
• Maxine Goon | This is an Education Emergency
• Gujin Chung, Yifan Liu, Yilin Liu | Housing Bubble
• Madeline Brown, Betty Han and Reiden Le’Jan Purificacion | WHO AM I?
• Norm Dines, Gus Clelland, Cindy Zhang | Auckland’s Most Boring Office
• Anson Sieu, Kinki Lo, Evan Zhang, Johnny Jiang | The Supermarket of Thoughts
• Karl Poland, Robbie Anderson, Shelley Jiao | Kiwi Dreamer
• Phillip Lee & Yeri Lee | Undocumented Objects
• Jack Wu, Oliver Ray Chaudhuri, Dianwang, Calvin Feng, William Chen, Binh Minh Ha | The Chairs in the Room, Quiet Beside the Elephant

Other Art in the City 2022 events to check out are:

• Art of Urban Design, a free guided walk hosted by Kent Dadson.  October 8 and 15 from 12.30pm - 2.30pm. Book here.
• Art of Architecture - In search of the Classical World, a free guided walk with heritage architect Tim Stevenson. October 9 and 16 from 3:00-5:00pm. Book here.
• The Architect’s Legacy, guide Linda Tyler introduces the architects who have shaped the Auckland cityscape. October 11 from 2pm-4pm and October 14 from 10am-12pm. Book here.

• Walls to Live Beside, rooms to Own at Auckland Art Gallery. On now until 23 March 2023.

To see the full Art in the City 2022 programme go to: www.heartofthecity.co.nz/art-in-the-city