The 6^th Auckland Festival of Photography has just announced its 2009 line-up of shows with a record 64 exhibitions swelling the month long feast of photography.

The festival will be headlined by an exhibition from the internationally renowned Magnum Photography Agency.  ‘Magnum  Light Nights’ will see the work of five nominee Magnum photographers projected onto city buildings in a free public display. 

Festival organiser Julia Durkin says scoring the Magnum exhibition was a huge coup, but she says the festival programme, which has over 100 artists exhibiting is peppered by culture, identity and art shows from some of NZ’s top photographers. Exhibition subjects range from outer space to Waiheke Island, Antarctica to a museum vault and everything in between.

“With 64 exhibitions spread around the Auckland region, there really is something for everyone. Aucklanders can again enjoy the free festival – it will be a perfect tonic in these cash strapped times” says Julia.

The festival runs from 29 May until 21 June 2009. With so much to see, an innovation of this year’s festival is ‘Gravity Festival Tuesday’ on 2^nd June, where festival goers can catch 9 exhibitions in one night, ferried between each venue in a fleet of Mini’s.

Marketing Manager for Gravity Coffee Chris Brown says “this night is about having fun and we hope people are up to the challenge of seeing if they can get around all of the venues in one night. Gravity enjoys playing a part in supporting the festival, venues and artists - we are proud of our sponsorship and involvement.”

‘Rough Sleeper’, Auckland Town Hall, is an exhibition of photographs by homeless Auckland man Gary.  ‘Precious Drops’ at the Oedipus Rex Gallery takes us into the strange world of Jennifer Mason where her art work like her families and Chihuahuas are all precious drops.  ‘Take a photo: It Lasts Longer’ at the Kura Gallery sees artists challenging known Maori stereotypes.  

Of course audiences are also invited to get behind the camera with the annual OLYMPUS Auckland Photo Day on 6 June where photographers are given one day to capture their city in a single photo, while another Auckland Photo Blog competition challenges people to ‘catch’ a bus image in the Metrolink Bus Pix Competition throughout June. 

Other highlights include;

• Dr Isobel Crombie, Senior Curator, National Gallery, Victoria for NewstalkZB Talking Culture on 14 June
• Patrick Reynolds at John Leach Gallery with his exhibition ‘Against the Day’
• Photography Sell Off on 9 June at Gus Fisher

The 2009 Auckland Festival of Photographer promises to be the biggest and most exciting yet and full details can now be found on the Festival web site, www.photographyfestival.org.nz

- ENDS-

Image by: Scott Diamond, Auckland City 2006

Creative Exposure 2009 Festival is supported by key sponsors-

Gravity "Official Coffee Sponsor", Heart of the City, Metrolink, North Shore City Council, Olympus, Waitakere City Council

with funding support from COGS, Auckland City Creative Communities, Franklin District Creative Communities, Lion Foundation, The Trusts Charitable Foundation. Creative New Zealand, Asia NZ Foundation and significant support from The ASB Community Trust.

Media sponsor: Newstalk ZB

Product sponsors: PCL, D-Photo, Fullers, Mini, NZ Post, I-Site.