Included in the original Livinginpeace business plan was an ambitious goal: To create a programme that would allow artists to come to Karamea and run the creative gamut—inspiration, conception, execution, and exhibition—within the framework of the Livinginpeace project.

In theory, this creative loop would involve every aspect of the South Island endeavour, from the commercial hospitality facilities (used to house the artist), on-site food growth (to help feed the artist), work/exhibition space (to pay the artist) and all this provided in one of the more scenic spots on earth (to inspire the artist).

Things never seem to run that smoothly in reality, but founder Paul Murray is nothing if not adaptable. It has been 6 years since the small dairy farming community welcomed the Rongolians to town, and so far three international artists have participated in the programme. There have been exhibitions in Rongo’s central space, live painting sessions, and art lessons for local children. The seeds of the original concept have germinated in unexpected ways, but let’s face it, everyone loves surprises.

The parameters of what an artist will do when chosen to participate in Livinginpeace’s A.I.R programme will depend largely on the artist and his/her interaction with the land, the space and the community. Interactive projects can work as well as sabbatical style individualism.

Livinginpeace’s art program may have shifted a bit, but the core aspect of its commercial sustainability is only growing stronger. Paul & Co. are in the enviable position of running a successful hospitality racket, where a visiting artist’s day to day needs are absorbed into the business, thus giving both host and participant freedom to collaborate wholly on a creative level and make use of Livinginpeace’s growing resources, built and maintained with love and conviction through a dedicated group of people.

Turning out profits from an exhibition at the end of a tenure may be a ways off, but as art itself is about the process, the experience, and how we interact with the environment where we choose to create, it doesn’t get much more satisfying than this. With such a beautiful environment and a crew the likes of Paul and the Rongolians, and artist who chooses to invest in a Karamea tenure is assured of being part of a dynamic process, grounded in great ideas and open to new winds.  The only thing more interesting than being a part of the process, is seeing what will happen next.

www.livinginpeace.com

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