A person points camera up to a window, where we the viewer appear to be filming them

Ritornello #1 (2018) John Chrisstoffels

Puninga ToiInstallation

Anaerobic Video

Nine videos originally programmed on Masons Screen 2016-22, addressing e-bikes, Matariki, reclaimed histories and more.

Anaerobic Video is a programme of ten video works shown between 2016 and 2022 on Masons Screen, Wellington’s public video art screen.

Featuring recent commissions by Louie Zalk-Neale, Gabriel White and Jamie Berry, Anaerobic Video looks at the nature of the commons. Topics addressed range from the mundane to the cosmological, taking in e-scooters, Matariki, and the open spaces of work and the city. Other video works in Anaerobic Video trace departures and returns, from the daily commuter climb up Masons steps, to the sweeping migration of birds from coast to coast.

'Anaerobic' is a word often associated with high intensity workouts, such as climbing stairs. Here, Anaerobic Video also refers to the endless cycle of looping artworks on display for passers by.

Masons Screen is a large video monitor stationed halfway up Masons Steps, a walkway that connects the nodes of transport, government, and retail in the Wellington CBD. Since 2016, Wellington arts agency CIRCUIT Artist Moving Image has been supported by Wellington City Council to programme a new artist’s video every month. The project has now shown over 50 works by 50 artists.

Anaerobic Video is presented at the Christchurch Arts Centre, and features works by artists with connections to Ōtautāhi Christchurch, including Canterbury artist and lecturer John Chrisstoffels, and former residents Bena Jackson and Claire Harris.

CIRCUIT Director Mark Williams says, ‘The screening at the Arts Centre is a great opportunity to reflect on how artists have used video to engage with public space. We are particularly looking forward to presenting this programme in Ōtautāhi Christchurch, which has a strong lineage of public art through its biennial SCAPE public art event. There are also several artists in the programme with links to Ōtautāhi and we are really happy to renew our partnership with the Arts Centre.'

Installation details

2–31 May
10am–4pm daily
(except Mondays where screening hours are 2.30pm–4pm)
Christchurch Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora

    Related artistsHe ringatoi anō

    A close up of two hands weaving flax

    A R A P E T A

    A R A P E T A
    Jamies Berry Installation view of double-channel video work featuring black and red figure with the text “RAKAU” overlaid.

    Jamie Berry

    Jamie Berry
    Max is on a segway, waiting to cross the street, drinking out of a white takeaway cup.

    Max Fleury

    Max Fleury
    Four teenagers sit on the footpath in a row in deckchairs, gazing out into the distance.

    Sam Hamilton

    Sam Hamilton
    Claire wears a pencil skirt, blazer and high heels whilst tenderly hugging an office chair, resting her face against the seat

    Claire Harris

    Claire Harris
    A watercolour portrait of a person shaving their face glancing into the mirror

    Julia Holden

    Julia Holden
    A close up of Bena’s hands whilst they tie an empty coffee cup to an electric scooter in Wellington CBD with a rubber band. The person is wearing a stripy jersey and black pants.

    Bena Jackson

    Bena Jackson
    The silhoutte of a branch or shell or string-ray sits against the sky mirrored onto the sand at sunset at the beach

    Tanya Te Miringa Te Rorarangi Ruka

    Tanya Te Miringa Te Rorarangi Ruka
    On a bright day in a city McDonald's signage of illuminated golden arches guides customers to the drive-thru

    Gabriel White

    Gabriel White
    Louie wears a long white dress amongst tussocks in the night. They hold their hand out as if to drop something to the ground.

    Louie Zalk-Neale

    Louie Zalk-Neale

    CIRCUIT is the
    leading voice
    for artist moving image
    practice
    in Aotearoa New Zealand,
    distributing works,
    critical review and
    dialogues
    which reflect our unique, contemporary
    South Pacific context.

    Ko CIRCUIT te māngai
    mō ngā mahi toi kiriata
    o Aotearoa, e tuku
    atu ana i ngā mahi toi,
    i ngā arotakenga
    me ngā whakawhitinga
    kōrero e kitea ai
    ngā āhuatanga
    motuhake o tō tātou noho i te ao hou ki
    Te Moananui-a-Kiwa.

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