Exhibition

Radio NZ

RADIO NZ:

07 June 2012 - 01 July 2012 Sounds like Us

What is ‘Sounds Like Us’? ‘Sounds Like Us’ began as a simple promotional concept to support a Radio New Zealand branding exercise in 2007.  It entailed creating a number of radios in the style of some iconic New Zealand cultural expressions - known locally as Kiwiana. The intention was to reflect the importance of radio in New Zealand’s cultural and social history and, by extension, the importance of Radio New Zealand as a public service radio broadcaster.  Radio New Zealand gives our culture a voice and we wanted to reflect that in a fun and contemporary way that would engage our audiences. The result, on the theme ‘Sounds Like Us’ is a range of fantastical creations, from desserts and wool sheds to bush walks and fast food … all superbly designed and constructed by the famous team at WETA Workshop.

We love them so much we’ve created an exhibition so everyone can enjoy them. Kiwis take their various pursuits and traditions very seriously, but are also quite open to "taking the mickey" and every single one of the radios in this display produces a chuckle of recognition in just about everyone. Radio New Zealand is our public radio broadcaster, with a primary purpose of reflecting New Zealand and supporting our culture.  The ‘Sounds Like Us’ exhibition uses model radios to literally show radio reflecting New Zealand - demonstrating and cementing what it means to be a Kiwi. The Design Competition The original ‘Sounds Like Us’ concept grew to include a design competition in 2009 and 2010.    Students in New Zealand schools and tertiary institutes of art and design were encouraged to sketch and describe their own Kiwiana radio concept. Entries were received from all over the country and the idea proved very popular with students keen to explore why they were passionate about New Zealand culture and what it means to be a Kiwi. Short-listed designs were submitted to a judging panel of art and design experts, including WETA Workshop’s Richard Taylor.   Five outstanding new radio designs were selected over the two years of competition and all were created and produced by model makers at WETA Workshop. These were added to the original collection.   100 Years of Radio in New Zealand 2011 marked 100 years since radio signals were first broadcast in New Zealand. To celebrate the event Radio New Zealand Sound Archives identified 100 inspiring pieces of audio which show how public radio has been involved in New Zealand culture over the last 100 years.  The items cover major news events, musical features, personalities, sporting achievements, programme highlights and great radio moments. These items have now been incorporated into the ‘Sounds Like Us’ exhibition and add a significant and unique interactive component to the models on display.  Listening posts and headphones allow the audio to be integrated into the exhibition. Milestones in New Zealand radio history will continue to be relevant to ‘Sounds Like Us’ until at least 2021, the centenary of the transmission of the first radio programme in New Zealand by Professor Jack at the University of Otago in 1921.   In an increasingly globalised, commercialised and homogenised world, our shared history, culture andcore values are crucial components of national identity. ‘Sounds Like Us’ has been created by Radio New Zealand because we are keen to stimulatea social, cultural and interactive debate around the definition of national identity, the place of radio in New Zealand society, and the role that Radio New Zealand plays in giving our culture a voice. Useful Web Links Radio New Zealand: www.radionz.co.nz www.radionz.co.nz/specialfeatures/kiwiana_radios Original Sounds Like Us competition site: www.soundslikeus.co.nz/