Utopia Multimedia Festival brings artistic talents together in one place – Taranaki Daily News

KRIS BOULT

Last updated14:30, March 17 2017

SIMON O'CONNOR/Fairfax NZ

Utopia multimedia festival in Huatoki Plaza is set for busy weekend

A new type of festivalthat seemusicians, street artists and sculptors collaborate together to create and showcase their talents has come to New Plymouth.

The Utopia Multimedia festival, which runs till March 26, iscurated by well known New Plymouth art and music festival organiser Anand Rose, sculptor Steve Molloy and artist Phil Jones in conjunction with the New Plymouth District Council.

Rose said the aim of the long running event was to increase the vibrancy in the CBD area through art.

SIMON O'CONNOR/Fairfax NZ

Phil Jones' work is well known around New Plymouth.

Although the festival has been running for a weekthis weekend looks set to be a busy one with visitors flocking in from around NZ for the Womad festival .

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"Womadweekend will be a big one,"Rose said.

"We're really looking forward to hosting people from outside of town and showingthem what we can offer"

ProminentNew Plymouth artist Phil Jones, whose mural ofeelgraces the Huatoki plazaand who is also responsible for turning electricity transformer boxes into works of art, has a studio in the plaza that provides thebackdrop for the festival.

The studio isa vibrant and funkyopenbunker typespace that houses a DJ booth, comfy chairsand an eclectic mix of art work.

"Phil's studio is the perfect environment for the festival, it provides a good indoor/outdoor flow for people," Rose said.

Positive feedback after a successful launch last weekend had organisers optimistic about hosting future festivals, perhaps even expanding.

"We're definitely looking to build on it in the future" Rose said.

-Stuff

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Utopia Multimedia Festival brings artistic talents together in one place - Taranaki Daily News