The window at Bowen Galleries in Ghuznee Street is often chocka with all sorts of interesting tidbits of visual art, and right now is no exception with the Works On Paper "group-show".

Works On Paper features a selection of fantastic prints and drawings on paper by a number of artists: amongst them Kim Pieters, Greg O’Brien, Chris Salmon, Euan MacCleod, and…

Metaphorical Proximity (Otago), 2006 by Reg Mombassa!

Ahem … climbs up onto soapbox. I have something to say about the Botanic Gardens, the Council & Garden staff & some of the people who go there.

1. To the Wgtn City Council & Garden staff:

• Many thanks for the doggy-doo bag dispensers at the main gates, cable car & Rose Garden – I’m not sure if all dog owners have noticed them yet (more on that later), but even those of us usually packing more plastic than the dashboard of an 80s Japanese import get caught out now & then. If I’m allowed a wish list, then another one at the Glen Rd entrance and (dare I say it) Magpie Lawn would be grand!
   
• The ‘Get off your bikes & walk’ signs are really pissing some cyclists off, if the frequently ripped up signs are anything to go by. I think that ‘Please bike considerately – go slow’ signs would be a good compromise, particularly on those roads that are already used by cars. Everywhere else, they should walk. Most cyclists are considerate anyway (not all – and more on that later too).
   
• The playground used to arguably have the greatest drinking fountain in the Southern Hemisphere. What happened to it? The one there now is adequate, the other was attractive & functional. Could we get one at the top of the Cable Car too? And (dare I say it again) Magpie Lawn?

More after the jump

So, Simon Sweetman’s live review of Fat Freddy’s Drop (he really, really didn’t like them) seems to have touched a nerve amongst some in the Wellington music scene. A few (actually, quite a lot) have come out in support of Sweetman – says Josef…

the perfect music for the iPod generation who wouldn’t know good music if it bit them in the ass.

And Hugh…

Thank goodness someone has seen the elephant in the room and had the courage to say it like it is. FFD as individuals may be talented, but the group sound is noise and inutterably boring. And the incessent chirping about how good they are is the ultimate sadness. Well done Simon

But, likewise, the FFD supporters are also out in force. From a guy called guy…

Your douchery has no limits. FFD are awesome. Regardless of what you think. You.. not surprisingly are not.

And Seb says…

How about realising the success they have had. They must be doing something right for them to do as well as they have. You just have poor taste in music.

So, what do you think? The Drop, hot or not?

[Updated – the poll, which wasn’t working for some users yesterday, should be ok now. Vote away…]

Gambarimashooooooo

The Film Archive is having a mini-Japanese Film Festival this week with support from the Japanese Foundation. And all the films are screening for FREE! 

If you’re any kind of anime fan you’ll be rushing to see:

1979 anime classic – Lupin the III – The Castle of Cagliostro (Thurs 19) and the brilliant Death Note (Fri 20) based on the manga series of the same name.

On Wednesday eve (that’s tomorrow) there’s also the hurtling maritime action movie Umizaru 2 – Test of Trust which promises a wild ride. 

All screenings start at 6:30pm and it’s on a first in basis. 

Terry Urbahn has spent a lot of time in bars and hotels – just the kind of guy we love here at the Wellingtonista.

He has an exhibition of selected works from 1994-2008 on show at the Film Archive mediagallery until 9 April, with the opening taking place tomorrow – Saturday 14 March at 5pm. This is a bit of a departure for the gallery. A weekend opening!

Come along and start your Saturday night right with a tipple and some great art – photography, video work, diorama and sculpture – by one of Wellington’s favourites. Everyone is welcome to celebrate this launch. 

All of the work was made during Urbahn’s time living in Capital City (he currently lives in Sydney) but it’s the first time it’s been shown here…

including the spectacular work The Sacred Hart (pictured) which is on display by special arrangement with Auckland Festival.

[Image courtesy of Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth]

I could scarcely believe my eyes when I saw this today, down by the Cenotaph:

Could it be true?

Can’t quite read it?  No worries, there’s a zoomed-in version after the jump…

Pumice and Grouper are playing at Happy on Saturday night, with local support from seht (yesh, moi). It’s gonna be a great show. 

Grouper (Liz Harris from the U.S.A.) has put out (at least) 4 incredible, beautiful albums* in the last few years, and apparently her live shows leave the records in the dust.

more after the jump…

This very happy looking young man is New Zealander Ron Tonkins (pictured with Margaret Chapman) who travelled to Hollywood in 1946 and worked as a publicity photographer.

Interesting thing is, during his time in Hollywood he shot reels and reels of Super 8 film footage like any usual tourist. Completely Bizarre thing is, he had unlimited access to the stars of the day and the major Hollywood lots (including Hopalong Cassidy). All without a security guard in sight.

Come and watch this "backstage" look at Hollywood, shot by a plucky Kiwi and narrated with his own recollections, "Here’s Marlene Dietrich and she’s asking me, ‘What’s New Zealand like Ron?’ ??!?!

I kid you not, this rare record of Kiwi ingenuity must be seen to be believed.

Screening Thursday 12 and Friday 13 March, 7pm. FREE ADMISSSION at the Film Archive. 

Let’s have a little competition – the NZ Retirement Commissioner, Diana Crossan, says she’s wanted a change of name for the Commission for several years, but no-one has coined a suitable name.

Waiting for God, and The Golden Years were suggested at Select Committee, but rejected (Un. Be. Lievable.)

We’ll think of a prize as we go along, maybe a bag of Kapiti Macadamia nuts, I’m sure we can lay our hands on one of those.

So have at it in the comments, we’re looking for the best suggested new name for the Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night Commission, the winning label will be forwarded to Ms Crossan.

Judges decisions are final & not to be questioned.