Fashionably LATE at the Museum

Not sure what I was expecting, I dragged my husband along with me to LATE 04 at the Museum at the Auckland Museum on Thursday 7th May, with both of us unsure what to expect… though we needn’t have worried. Both of us were looking forward to the panel discussion, I AM WHAT I OWN, moderated by Finlay Macdonald, with Carol Hirschfield (broadcaster), Nick Bollinger (musician and reviewer), Dean Poole (designer) Barry Coates (CEO of Oxfam NZ) and Jonathan Mane-Wheoki (art professor).

It was an easy ‘discussion’ with no real lively debate, though we thoroughly enjoyed it – and it sparked cracking conversation on the ownership of ‘possessions’ – what we actually constitute as a necessity… (this is never an easy debate for any couple) – on the way home in the car!

Dean Poole dropped what was my favourite quote of the evening attributed to Margaret Attwood (a literary writer who has strangely just written a book on economics) from her book 'Payback - Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth’…(and I paraphrase) "The economy is like the tooth fairy – when you stop believing in it, the money stops coming!"
 


My only bone of contention was that the panel felt a little unbalanced with all the intellectual debate supplied by the gentlemen and the only woman on the panel admitting to being the ‘token consumer’. Seriously, a few more women next time please? And a note for first timers – get to the discussion early if you want a seat – many of us ended up on the carpeted floor- the place was packed!

I did love that there was a great mix of people – young and old, fabulous and stylish- wandering the museum. It all felt very grown up. Though for me there was something weird about walking around the museum, at night, without small children barrelling around between exhibits, racing to their favourite bits.

Below, Megan listening to the Sonic Museum soundtracks on headphones in the Landmarks Gallery.



I had actually forgotten about some of the galleries that I never go into because I am generally with my children. I love them dearly, but this evening I realised I do often race through the museum at a childlike pace, and in the case of my children, that means 100 miles an hour except when you get to the dinosaur bit, or the fabulous weird and wonderful. There was something very restful about walking through the galleries at a leisurely pace knowing at the other end some great music would be playing, and a drink could be had.

That is probably my only other complaint with the evening – the queues for drinks where tortuously long, and there was no food. Lots of things ran out – note for next time – order more alcohol, and have several bars that take Eftpos – not just one!

Below, guests enjoy a drink entertained by the DJs at LATE at the Museum

On a better note (!) the music was supplied by DJ Submariner, the well known Nathan Haines and co, and the less well known (at least for me) Lisa Crawley and the Conversationalists. Lisa and her band were a bit of a revelation; well-crafted, happy quirky music that left you with a happy heart and a smile on your face.
 
Just as they finished, the evening came to a close with a fashion showing from the very talented CYBELE with her winter 09 range HALCYON (pictured below at fashion week). It was a simple show using the museum’s internal stairs in the Atrium to best advantage. Her clothes are always stylish and appear simple, but she has a great eye for tailoring. Her signature printed silks were used to great advantage with flowing dresses (the dress is definitely back) in a variety of lengths. The standout pieces where the gorgeous leggings, THE SHOES, the cape dress (both long and short) and the careful use of kingfisher blue. A classy way to end a classy evening.



Story: Anya Brighouse 7 May 2009
Photos: Kevin Robinson