Latest news with #KarenWalker
NZ Herald
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Party-goer who damaged Olafur Eliasson artwork worth $333,000 granted name suppression
About 200 people attended, with VIP tickets costing $300 and general admission was $200. Notable New Zealanders at the event included fashion designer Karen Walker and model/actor Colin Mathura-Jeffree. The highlight of the event was exclusive after-hours access to Eliasson's exhibition, which was a mix of installations, sculptures and photographs. His work had been on display at the gallery since early last December, the first time his work had been exhibited in Aotearoa. The damaged piece of artwork is titled Firefly biosphere (falling magma star) - a large hanging coloured sphere of glass, stainless steel and aluminium with a motor and lights inside that hung from the ceiling at head height. Auckland Art Gallery would not reveal the value of the artwork but in a police summary of facts obtained by the Herald it was valued at $333,000. According to the summary, the guest had consumed alcohol before and during the event. At 9.45pm she walked into a large open room which had the Firefly biosphere art piece and approached the artwork. Police say she stopped just before it, stepped back on one foot and then intentionally lurched forward headbutting the glass sphere and breaking a piece of the glasswork. The woman stated she was slightly intoxicated and meant her actions to be a joke in front of her friends. She acknowledged her actions were reckless but said that she had not intended to break the artwork. It has been taken down and fixed at a cost of $3440 which the defendant has been ordered to pay. The cost to repair the sculpture was initially covered by Auckland Art Gallery's insurance with no excess payment. In a written statement to Checkpoint Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill said the gallery expressed sincere regret to the artist's studio and owner following the incident. He stressed the gallery does not allow food or drinks in exhibition spaces specifically to help protect artworks. 'When alcohol is available at an event, it is served responsibly, away from artworks. 'Staff are located in and outside exhibition spaces to monitor artworks and prevent visitors from walking into the exhibition with food or alcohol.' The art gallery has reviewed the event and incident to see if anything could have been done differently.
RNZ News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Party-goer who damaged Olafur Eliasson artwork worth $333,000 granted name suppression
Olafur Eliasson, Firefly biosphere (falling magma star), 2023; Installation view: Olafur Eliasson: Your curious journey, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Auckland, 2024. Photo: Olafur Eliasson A woman who damaged a piece of artwork worth $333,000 while attending a ball at Auckland Art gallery last month has been granted interim name suppression. Guests at The Curious Ball in early March were served alcohol and given exclusive after-hours access to the exhibition of works by Olafur Eliasson. One of the guests was charged with wilful damage after allegedly headbutting a hanging sculpture during the evening. According to the art gallery's website, the event was tipped as an "unforgettable night of art, dance, music and culinary delights", with performances from contemporary dance groups, a soprano singer and DJ. Canapés and cocktails were served throughout the night. About 200 people attended, with VIP tickets costing $300 dollars and general admission was $200. Notable New Zealanders at the event included fashion designer Karen Walker and model/actor Colin Mathura-Jeffree. The highlight of the event was exclusive after-hours access to Eliasson's exhibition, which was a mix of installations, sculptures and photographs. His work had been on display at the gallery since early last December, the first time his work had been exhibited in Aotearoa. The damaged piece of artwork is titled Firefly biosphere (falling magma star) - a large hanging coloured sphere of glass, stainless steel and aluminium with a motor and lights inside that hung from the ceiling at head height. Auckland Art Gallery would not reveal the value of the artwork but in a police summary of facts obtained by Checkpoint it was valued at $333,000. According to summary, the guest had consumed alcohol before and during the event. At 9:45pm she walked into a large open room which had the Firefly Biosphere art piece and approached the artwork. Police say she stopped just before it, stepped back on one foot and then intentionally lurched forward headbutting the glass sphere and breaking a piece of the glasswork. The woman stated she was slightly intoxicated and meant her actions to be a joke in front of her friends. She acknowledged her actions were reckless but that she had not intended to break the artwork. It has been taken down and fixed at a cost of $3440 which the defendant has been ordered to pay. Auckland Art Gallery would not reveal the value of the artwork. Photo: IAN TROWER / ROBERT HARDING PREMIUM / ROBERTHARDING / AFP The cost to repair the sculpture was initially covered by Auckland Art Gallery's insurance with no excess payment. In a written statement to Checkpoint Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive Nick Hill said the gallery expressed sincere regret to the artist's studio and owner following the incident. He stressed the gallery does not allow food or drinks in exhibition spaces specifically to help protect artworks. "When alcohol is available at an event, it is served responsibly, away from artworks. "Staff are located in and outside exhibition spaces to monitor artworks and prevent visitors from walking into the exhibition with food or alcohol." The Art Gallery has reviewed the event and incident to see if anything could have been done differently.
NZ Herald
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Party-goer charged for damage to Eliasson exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery
The Curious Ball was held at Auckland Art gallery on March 1 and 208 people attended. The event was held there for the second time, after what Auckland Art Gallery described as a 'successful debut in 2024'. According to the art gallery's website, the event was tipped as an 'unforgettable night of art, dance, music and culinary delights', with performances from contemporary dance groups, a soprano singer and DJ. Canapes and cocktails were served throughout the night. VIP tickets cost $300 and general admission was $200. Notable New Zealanders at the event included fashion designer Karen Walker and model-actor Colin Mathura-Jeffree. The highlight of the event was exclusive after-hours access to Eliasson's exhibition, which was a mix of installations, sculptures and photographs. His work had been on display at the gallery since early last December, the first time his work had been exhibited in Aotearoa. Auckland Art Gallery declined to be interviewed, but, in a statement, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill said the main event, where attendees could dance and were served refreshments, was held in the gallery's Te Ātea North Atrium. He said one of the guests damaged one of the artworks. 'One of the patrons at this event damaged a hanging sculpture that was on loan for the exhibition 'Olafur Eliasson: Your Curious Journey'.' The gallery's conservation team assessed the sculpture and confirmed it was broken. 'It was found that one of the outer sheets of the artwork was cracked and a glass shard was broken off. 'The lender was notified and the artwork is being repaired. There will be no lasting damage.' The gallery said it needed Eliasson's permission to discuss the specific piece of artwork further. Some of his works sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Christies in New York recently valued a piece of his work at US$150,000. The gallery undertook an investigation of the incident and the matter was reported to police. Police confirmed to Checkpoint that a 29-year-old woman was charged with wilful damage and remanded on bail, due to appear in the Auckland District Court later in April. - RNZ
The Onion
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Onion
Texas Implements Mandatory 6-Month Quarantine For Anyone Who Has Watched ‘Will And Grace'
AUSTIN, TX—In a drastic new order purportedly aimed at protecting its citizens, Texas state government officials reportedly put into effect a new mandatory six-month quarantine that would apply to anyone who has ever watched Will And Grace . 'Anyone who watched Will And Grace , the sitcom that revolutionized the popular depiction of homosexuality in the United States in the mid-to-late 1990's must undergo a mandatory quarantine period of 183 days,' said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in an official statement announcing the controversial measure aimed at preventing the statewide spread of dangerous references to refreshingly realistic depictions of gay life and sardonic quips from Karen Walker. 'We must all take serious precautions to keep ourselves safe from Will And Grace —even a rerun is capable of doing serious damage. Watching merely 10 seconds of an episode of Will And Grace is enough to be irreversibly charmed by Jack McFarland's free-spirited confidence.' Abbott added that those who have already been placed in quarantine may qualify for early release by finishing at least two seasons of Yellowstone or Blue Bloods .
The Independent
28-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Independent
This is how you can maximise space in a small home, according to the experts
Everyone would like more space at home. But what can you do to give the illusion of more room? When it comes to small spaces, combining decorative pieces with practical considerations will help. Making the most of a small space needs planning and creativity, according to Karen Walker, creative brand editor of the Ideal Home Show. Walker says there are plenty of ways to maximise your space and create a home that feels functional, stylish, and spacious whether thats a studio or a tiny house. Here's her expert insight on how to make the most of what you have… Clever furniture choices 'When working with limited space, every piece of furniture should serve a purpose – or better yet, multiple purposes,' underlines Walker. 'Investing in multifunctional pieces is one of the best ways to maximise your square footage… look for items like sofa beds, ottomans with built-in storage, or extendable dining tables.' Moreover, she says dual-purpose sofas are perfect for small spaces, combining comfort with clever design. Walker continues: 'Wall-mounted furniture is another smart option – consider installing fold-down desks or wall-mounted tables that can be stowed away when not in use.' Other innovative solutions such as a 'study bed', which transforms a room from a workspace in the day to a sleeping area at night, make them ideal for smaller bedrooms or home offices, suggests Walker. Finally, she says to opt for furniture with a lightweight, airy design. ' Pieces with slim legs or open bases create the illusion of more space, by letting light flow through the room,' explains Walker. 'Glass or acrylic furniture, and even internal glass walls or doors can also make a small space feel less crowded, blending seamlessly into its surroundings and letting light flow through.' Storage can be a major challenge in small homes, but with a bit of ingenuity, Walker says you can find some great places to stash your belongings. 'Start by thinking vertically… walls, doors, and even ceilings can double as storage space. 'Underutilised areas such as under the stairs, beds or sofas, can also be turned into storage zones,' outlines Walker. 'Use storage bins or vacuum-sealed bags to keep seasonal items, or less frequently used belongings tucked away but accessible.' For kitchens and bathrooms, she says custom cabinetry can incorporate smart storage solutions like pull-out drawers, hidden organisers, and other options to make the most of every inch. 'Another great tip is to use storage that doubles as accessories,' reveals Walker. 'Woven baskets, trunks, or decorative boxes can be used to store items while adding a stylish touch to your home.' 'Hooks, racks, and over-the-door organisers are also lifesavers for small spaces, helping you keep everything from coats to kitchen utensils neatly organised,' she adds. Design tricks to make your space feel bigger Creating the illusion of a larger space is just as important as physically maximising it, notes Walker. 'Start with a light and neutral colour palette… whites, creams, and pastels reflect light and make a room feel more airy. 'If you want to add some contrast, consider incorporating darker accents in furniture or accessories to create depth.' She says mirrors and mirrored furniture are another powerful tool for visually expanding a space. 'A large mirror placed opposite a window will bounce natural light around.' In addition, Walker says to incorporate plenty of lighting to brighten every corner of your home. 'Layered lighting – including ambient, task and accent – can help define different areas in an open-plan layout, while making the space feel more vibrant.' However, avoid using heavy curtains or blinds that block light, she warns. 'Instead, opt for sheer fabrics or leave windows bare to let in as much light as possible.' Finally, keep your decor minimal and cohesive. 'Too many patterns, colours, or accessories can make a small space feel chaotic and cramped.' 'Instead, focus on a few statement pieces and let clean lines and uncluttered surfaces create a sense of calm,' advises Walker.
