Couple of weeks more and the Stations of the Cross will be happening back at the Gardens -. Fabulous creativity yet again is going to be unleashed on the wandering public. Again there is a range of proposed ideas from the ridiculous that will never see the light of the moon and the actual ridiculousness that may become reality by the 1 April. exciting times

2012 Stations – or the return of the Downings! Liz and Tyson, have spawned 3 children, but they still have time to dabble with their creative flow. Tyson is making a ??????**##!!!** which is going to be pretty amazing or just pretty. Liz is splashing her magic around the Japanese garden and the English garden. real nice to have these peeps back. Some newbies in the mix – David Creighton Pester ( graphic designer ) and Luke McConnell (moving imager) is also exctin. Chris Lam sam, straight from the euphoria of taking PEOPLES CHOICE at Trees at the Meteor has made a soundscape of sonic mystery. Boom ! To behold and to behear. A giant Gameboy console by Jordon Engelsman is a station not to miss. (we’ll you cant miss it, because its on the path that’s only 1 x way – but you know what I mean). Did i mention the execution in the American Modernist? or the Ressurrection in the Char Bargh? or the camp fire. Derek Lind, we allow the odd Aucklander at times, is also painting a huge canvas. Nice. One for the purists. Hamilton’s old dogs of artistry – Elsa Lye, Olga Krause and David Cook are all for the experience and are constructing their pieces to be unveiled. They are waaaaaayyyyyyy too art establishment for me to get a look in – I just smile and nod. Apparently what they are doing is good. I’ll take their word for it. So yep – show time is just round the corner and again it will offer a space to walk the journey of the man who said his great act would change everything ! bring it !

The University of Waikato is also drumming up new SMART phone technology for the audio guide this year. That’s right people. the the low down through your head — and DOWNLOAD. look at it. consider, reflect – listen to the narrative, and then hear the ARTIST give their 10 cents worth on what you are gawking at. Brilliant.

Come back to the website just before stations opens – and download, bring your phone or ipod, and your phones and get amongst it. For the richer experience.

2012 is also exctin times as Ross Miller, our favourite stalker poet, is riding into town with his new poetry book under his belt. One is a tidy compilation of his best poems over the Stations history of him romping his stuff. The other is works outside the Stations themes. Good one him I say. I hope he gives me a copy. Although I’d be happy to pay too to impress people when they visit at least. He’s a provincial treasure. Move over Sonny Bill – Ross is ‘published’ now. He’s hit the big time!

This year, is also High School Sunday free – ! So, if you’re a high schooler and you are down at the gardens, and you walk into the gardens – you see and drink it all for FREE. true story. SUNDAY 1 APRIL.

see you in the mist/midst –

dave white – curator stations