Kate Linzey
falling petals and lost opportunities
Sometimes it feels that Post-Modernism still holds the avant-garde. Like earlier Brutalism, there were qualities to the architecture of the First Church challenging to conventional sensibilities. Rather than a heavy, earnest materiality of concrete the First Church challenged the decorum of architecture with light-hearted frivolity. It also celebrated diversity though multi-authorship, where Ian Athfield operated as much as the curator as the author. This presentation will discuss the creation and loss of the building and make some suggestions about its ongoing legacy in our post-carbon future.
Architectural scholar Dr Kate Linzey has studied in Queensland and Auckland, and lives and works in Wellington. Her research has focused on the relationship between architectural and art practices, and temporality (time and movement) in public space. In particular she has explored these through a study of the large-scale kinetic proposals of Len Lye (1901-1980). The study of the First Church is emerging out of new research into the role of craft arts in post-war Aotearoa architecture.
City Talks is an ongoing series initiated by Te Kāhu Whaihanga Wellington Branch and presented in partnership with City Gallery.
The talk will be followed by refreshments.
Join us via livestream.
