'CROSSOVER' AN ARTISTIC FACTORY

"WE WANT TO EXPERIMENT, PRODUCE, SHARE AND SHOWCASE OUR ART"

FIFI CHEUNG IS ONE OF THE MAIN INSTIGATORS IN "CROSSOVER" AN ARTS COLLECTIVE TO HELP EMERGING ARTIST IN A VARIETY OF DISCIPLINES.

INTIAL IDEA

FIFI CHEUNG:Initially I was planning to go overseas after I graduated,(Fifi has a degree in photography from Whitecliffe College) simply because of the lack of chance in NZ. But I had been thinking about running an artist space for more than a year and I thought why don't I grow this bigger. Instead of leaving why don't I stay here and do something good..

THE REAL WORLD AFTER GRADUATION

FIFI CHEUNG:After graduating you have more freedom to explore and less restrictions by university standards. There is also the real world of making art and making money. It gives you power and inspiration. But there needs to be a bridge or platform for artists after graduation who are struggling with a minimal lack of opportunities. We want to build that platform for creative people.

POST MODERNISM = CROSS DISCIPLINES

FIFI CHEUNG:Art and post modernism is more than one discipline its a crossover, that is where "Crossover" kicks in. We want to attract people from a mixture of disciplines- fine arts, fashion designers, jewellers, photographers, poets etc.

GATHER THE POWER

FIFI CHEUNG:NZ has a lack of support for emerging artist. The funding tends to be for more established artist. So emerging artist are competing not only within their group but also with the established artist. We want to gather people and gather the power for a higher chance of funding and help people share costs. Its also makes things fun and interesting - a learning experience. Rather than sitting at home doing nothing, people can follow their passion!

We are officially registered. We also have a great team of support, especially from established artists- NZ artists are very down to earth and are very approachable.

Our website (http://www.facebook.com/1;http://www.crossover.org.nz) is coming soon and we have a board to support and decide a set of rules. As we need to differentiate between good potential creative people and filter away from the bull shit artist. That way we can draw attention to quality NZ art at an international level.

NETWORKING TO HELP ONE ANOTHER.

FIFI CHEUNG:We have artist from Papau New Guinea and especially China. We want the opportunity to start an international exchange with new artists. To enrich and share our own experiences and keep everybody updated.

... Also to find interesting new experiment's and to create a complete package of arts practices. Have the opportunity for artist from different disciplines to meet one another, for example poets to meet photographers etc. Its all about networking to help each other out. Sharing rental costs and equipment with a sense of security. We want the artist that we help, to move on and return to guide the newbies to the next level.

CORE VALUE

FIFI CHEUNG:We have found our space and are waiting for approval by the Auckland City Council. We need to be in central Auckland in the roots of the gallery district. The space that we have found is right by the train station in Newmarket. We want to create interesting displays that will attract lots of foot traffic. We are less business focused. Our core is to create an arts practise.