About


°TEMP has been formed by arts and science professionals, who believe in the transformational power of great public art and are concerned about climate change. This collaboration takes its inspiration from a range of successful audience engagement models, and is founded on the ground-breaking Arts and Urban Design Symposiums held in Waitakere City during the late 80’s. In 2014 McCahon House Trust Chair Naomi McCleary (finalist in Woman of Influence Awards 2015) had the idea for a new art science collaborative outdoor symposium referencing climate change that would activate the grounds at Corban Estate Arts Centre and the wider region. Inspiration in part was from the research and exhibition by McCahon House Artist in Resident Amy Howden-Chapman.

The resulting project is called °TEMP (referencing temperature and temporary) and has been in development phase since February 2015.

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°TEMP is inspired by the expanding field of public sculptural installation experiences, including the Echigo Tsumari Arts Triennial in Niigata, Japan, Art in the Dark, Ponsonby, Headland Sculpture on the Gulf, Waiheke, Bristol Green Capital, UK, International Public Art Awards, Auckland, Creative NZ audience research, Auckland Council strategic plan and many more.

The Auckland Council Climate Change plan Chapter 8 states “Auckland expects that we will work together to play our part in meeting the national goal of significantly deduced greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) and that we will improve energy efficiency, resilience and security and our capacity to adapt to climate change (adaptation).” Risks are identified as “heat waves, droughts and tropical storms” “sea-level rise”, “adverse impacts on biodiversity, natural resources, productivity or changes in market demands for goods and services” “individuals and communities affected by extreme weather, scarce resources and affordability of those resources, health impacts, or migration”.

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°TEMP is being developed collaboratively and discursively. Test projects have been initiated and knowledge built through forums and collaborations.

The first FORUM was held to bring together leading scientists and artists, community experts and people interested in creating innovative experiences that would take the discussion of climate change to a broader audience.  The forum included a mystery bus tour that took in a slice of a city in a climate of change. The bus travelled from the Waitakere Ranges, through the suburbs of Glen Eden, Oratia, Henderson and Massey, the township and industrial zones, terminating at the estuary beside the recycle centre and dump. Key note speakers from the science, artist and community leader sectors shared knowledge and insights and gathered after lunch in a series of thought provoking sessions about local climate change issues. Topics covered ; what does the average persons carbon emission equate to; what is art science collaboration; how do we best represent, inspire and convey themes and messages through art; how do we engage and encourage public to question and understand; and how can °TEMP be a conduit in conveying the urgent need to adopt lifestyle habits that will reduce harmful impact in our environment.

Five strong participatory installation works were identified as anchor projects and are at various stages of design and delivery. Projects for AIR, WATER and SHELTER are at pilot testing stage and all have been translated into Te Reo. SHELTER was also translated into Mandarin. Further consultation and development is required for the project FOOD. WEATHER is conceptually designed and the focus is on logistics, resources and funding.

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°TEMP intends to act as a catalyst to contribute to unlocking individual and collective potential to join the global campaign to reduce carbon emissions and to take personal steps to be informed and prepared for changes ahead.

°TEMP has ambitions to grow into an annual regional event with international profile; the need to raise awareness, to share knowledge and methods of mitigation needs many people working collectively together.

Tiakina te wao nui a tiriwa hei oranga mou
Treasure the vast domain of Tiriwa and in turn you shall benefit

Kaupapa
Through an outdoor non-permanent public art science experience, contribute to the conversation about climate change, to raise awareness of the issues and to act as a catalyst for discussion, education and action at a personal, local and national level.

We aim to:
°  Contribute to climate change education and awareness through the activation of the grounds at CEAC, and long term the wider region, with large-scale visually compelling installations open to the public.
°  Create an experience that will unlock curiosity and open doors to further enquiry.
°  Bring together individuals and organisations focused on climate change issues to amplify action.
°  Encourage audiences to become champions for West Auckland as a carbon neutral emission zone.

Naomi McCleary °TEMP founder and a finalist in the Woman of Influence Awards 2015. Former Waitakere City Council Arts Manager. Awarded Outstanding Individual Contribution by Creative New Zealand. Trustee CEAC, McCahon House and Going West Fest.
Martin Sutcliffe Director Corban Estate Arts Centre (CEAC), former Auckland City Council Manager of Leisure Services
Rewi Spraggon Director for the Sacred Chisels of Tamaki Makaurau. Artist and representative Kawerau a Maki.
Andrew Clifford Director Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery, former Curator Centre for Creative Studies at University of Auckland.
Wilma Blom Curator Marine Invertebrates at Auckland Museum, lead organiser Bioblitz
Roger Harris Organic and sustainable business development consultant, former cofounder of Phoenix Organics Ltd.
Kathryn Tsui Independent Curator and a contemporary artist.
Melissa Laing Whau Community Arts Broker and lead researcher for the Performing Ethics Working Group, an initiative of the University of Without Conditions.
Diane Blomfield °TEMP Programme Director, current Executive Director McCahon House Trust (part time), former Public Event Programme Manager at Auckland Museum, former Public Event Manager CEAC.
Marie-Louise Leistner Coordinator, Gallery Assistant at Auckland Art Gallery and Tim Melville Gallery.
The CEAC and Te Uru education, marketing and administration teams