Step into a world where art and architecture collide

What can elevate Auckland to new heights?

That’s the question at the heart of a captivating art installation by Matt Liggins, a multifaceted artist, architectural designer and teacher from the University of Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning.

His interactive workshop, titled City of Dreams, is one of five artistic projects on display at this year’s Urban Art Village, a free event which will be held in Auckland from Thursday 12 October as part of ArtWeek in the City Centre.

Matt's workshop welcomes individuals of all ages to actively participate in crafting a cityscape that reflects their vision of what Auckland may be lacking.

Participants will have access to an array of creative materials – including cardboard tubes, hot glue guns and paint – to breathe life into their urban creations.

This hands-on approach empowers attendees to explore and contribute to the artistic transformation of the cityscape, fostering a sense of collective ownership in reimagining Auckland.

Matt’s research is a cross between the fields of architecture and the arts.

“City of Dreams references the privatisation of public spaces as well the frustrations of living in a city that is mostly commercial. The installation is about giving a voice to the people living here,” he says.

“Architecture is more than just a building or a house. It can connect to so much more than that.”

The other installations showing at Urban Art Village were created by students from the School of Architecture and Planning and built as part of their course work.

Jack Wu’s Dandelion Minds is an interactive installation that aims to “reconnect to the environment” by encouraging people to paint flowers and plants over the surfaces of tables until a garden mural is formed.

“The installation asks people to sit down on the ground to paint – to take time, slow down and be part of the conversation, as everyone has a seat at the table,” says Jack.

Dian Wang’s 70x45 is a satirical project that “ridicules the scale, tectonic and ornament of the typical Chinatown arch, and poses the question: where exactly is Auckland’s Chinatown?”

Making Site by Oliver Ray-Chaudhuri and Philip Lee asks the public to imagine better use of their space in the city.

“Making Site brings an architectural site model out of the studio and onto Auckland’s inner-city streets. Visitors will be invited to alter the model in small ways with ‘childish’ means (paper, card, scissors, crayons) — to make improvements, alterations and repairs, like a sort of urban DIY,” say Oliver and Philip.

As part of Urban Art Village, second year students from the School of Architecture and Planning will also be sharing their “radical proposals for the future of papakāinga housing”.

Urban Art Village takes place on O’Connell Street on Thursday 12 October, from 5pm until 9pm. City of Dreams, Dandelion Minds and Making Site will continue showing until Sunday 15 October in Freyberg Place.