|
"A Picasso" Play
*R16 (some content may offend) Performance Details: Gala Opening and Performance: Cost: Members of AFHB $45 Seniors/Students* $40 Thurs, 21 May: 5.30pm-6.30pm Gala Opening in Keirunga Homestead with Evening Performance in Nelson Theatre between 7.00pm-8.30pm (fundraiser for Cranford Hospice) At least half the tickets have sold so far, so book today. Other Performances in Nelson Theatre
Cost: Members of AFHB $25 Seniors/Students* $20 *R16 (some content may offend) Fri, 22 May 7.00pm-8.30pm Evening Performance Sat, 23 May 3.00pm-4.30pm Matinee 7.00pm-8.30pm Evening Performance in Nelson Theatre Sun, 24 May 3.00pm-4.30pm Matinee in Nelson Theatre |
|
Play Synopsis
In 1941, during World War II, the famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso – who has spent most of his creative life in France – is summoned to a Paris bank vault in which are stored works of art “confiscated” by the Nazis from their mainly Jewish owners. Miss Fischer, a beautiful
German cultural attaché appointed by the regime, has been instructed to interrogate Picasso about the authenticity of three of his unsigned artworks, one of which he has subsequently to choose to be exhibited in a public demonstration of “degenerate art” in Paris before being burned in Berlin. This is something any artist would find inconceivable, but it is all the more unthinkable for someone the standing of Picasso.
An intriguing game of cat and mouse ensues, with each trying to outwit the other, their brilliant exchanges ranging from art and politics to sex and – ultimately – the truth, culminating in a dramatic twist.
In 1941, during World War II, the famous Spanish artist Pablo Picasso – who has spent most of his creative life in France – is summoned to a Paris bank vault in which are stored works of art “confiscated” by the Nazis from their mainly Jewish owners. Miss Fischer, a beautiful
German cultural attaché appointed by the regime, has been instructed to interrogate Picasso about the authenticity of three of his unsigned artworks, one of which he has subsequently to choose to be exhibited in a public demonstration of “degenerate art” in Paris before being burned in Berlin. This is something any artist would find inconceivable, but it is all the more unthinkable for someone the standing of Picasso.
An intriguing game of cat and mouse ensues, with each trying to outwit the other, their brilliant exchanges ranging from art and politics to sex and – ultimately – the truth, culminating in a dramatic twist.
|
DEUX HOMMES ET UNE FEMME
(Two Men and A Woman) Works on Paper: Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Françoise Gilot(Picasso's lover) Exhibition at Creative Arts Napier, 16 Byron Street, Napier 15-28 May 2026 Friday 15 May at 5:00pm Opening Night. Koha entry with copies of the art works for sale. Saturday 16th May - Family Fun Day based on the exhibition at CAN.There will be origami work-shops, an art competition, a pictorial quiz and biscuit decorating (Picasso faces) for kids aged 8-10, 11-12 and 13-15, followed by a prizegiving and afternoon tea for them from 3-3.45pm Saturday 23rd May - There will be paying paper workshops for older children and adults. These events are organised by AFHB Life Member, Franki James. |
|
More info: The influence of the Cubists and the Fauves on modern art in the 20th century cannot be overstated. Its most important exponents, the Cubist Pablo Picasso and the Fauve Henri Matisse are arguably the most important modern artists of the first half of the 20th century with ongoing experimentation and innovation with both form and colour that was a revolution in modern art. Their media included not only painting and sculpture, but also the important and uniquely modern medium of paper.
After World War II, it was works on paper where both Picasso and Matisse made major creative breakthroughs in art – and at breakneck speed!
Picasso, with the technical assistance of the best printmakers in the world, single-handedly led the way, with an intense period of innovative printmaking, rightly referred to as a “revolution."
In connection with this critical period of Picasso’s printmaking, his partner, Françoise Gilot (an accomplished painter and lithographer, and mother of two of Picasso’s children, Claude and Paloma) was an important influence.
Parallel with Picasso, Henri Matisse was also using paper, however, in a totally different way. With just a pair of scissors and coloured paper, Matisse created some of the most iconic and monumental works of his entire artistic career. Gilot’s friendship with Matisse, while living with Picasso in the south of France, witnessed firsthand the creation of Matisse’ “cut-outs” as they were called, including the first major cut-out portfolio, titled Jazz.
Following on from a comprehensive exhibition of Gilot’s printmaking in 2022, DKH Gallery and Creative Arts Napier (CAN) are proud to present the lithographs of Picasso published by Mourlot Editions and in Verve Magazine, the Góngora Portfolio, the entire Jazz Portfolio of Henri Matisse, his Verve covers and selected works of Matisse from his final Verve publication.
This exhibition is the first of its kind in Aotearoa/New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere to bring together in one location so many important examples created by Picasso and Matisse at the height of their innovative works on paper . Prints and drawings created by Françoise Gilot, both during this period and following will also be on display.
Free of charge to all visitors in the Main Gallery of Creative Arts Napier (CAN) from the 15 - 28 May 2026, the exhibition will be of interest to art lovers, artists, art historians, students of art and modern art history, French language and culture, as well as to the general public.
These rare and historic copies of the works on paper will be available to collectors at the exhibition only, with a third of all proceeds supporting the vital work of Creative Arts Napier in the local community.
After World War II, it was works on paper where both Picasso and Matisse made major creative breakthroughs in art – and at breakneck speed!
Picasso, with the technical assistance of the best printmakers in the world, single-handedly led the way, with an intense period of innovative printmaking, rightly referred to as a “revolution."
In connection with this critical period of Picasso’s printmaking, his partner, Françoise Gilot (an accomplished painter and lithographer, and mother of two of Picasso’s children, Claude and Paloma) was an important influence.
Parallel with Picasso, Henri Matisse was also using paper, however, in a totally different way. With just a pair of scissors and coloured paper, Matisse created some of the most iconic and monumental works of his entire artistic career. Gilot’s friendship with Matisse, while living with Picasso in the south of France, witnessed firsthand the creation of Matisse’ “cut-outs” as they were called, including the first major cut-out portfolio, titled Jazz.
Following on from a comprehensive exhibition of Gilot’s printmaking in 2022, DKH Gallery and Creative Arts Napier (CAN) are proud to present the lithographs of Picasso published by Mourlot Editions and in Verve Magazine, the Góngora Portfolio, the entire Jazz Portfolio of Henri Matisse, his Verve covers and selected works of Matisse from his final Verve publication.
This exhibition is the first of its kind in Aotearoa/New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere to bring together in one location so many important examples created by Picasso and Matisse at the height of their innovative works on paper . Prints and drawings created by Françoise Gilot, both during this period and following will also be on display.
Free of charge to all visitors in the Main Gallery of Creative Arts Napier (CAN) from the 15 - 28 May 2026, the exhibition will be of interest to art lovers, artists, art historians, students of art and modern art history, French language and culture, as well as to the general public.
These rare and historic copies of the works on paper will be available to collectors at the exhibition only, with a third of all proceeds supporting the vital work of Creative Arts Napier in the local community.