Exhibitions
Events
On display
Naked Britten
The Cardinal Britten courtesy of Britten Motorcycle Co. Ltd
Event
Past event
Philip Carter Family Auditorium
Free
Join us for a closer look at what makes a Britten V1000 so unique.
In this very special event, the first Britten superbike – the Cardinal Britten – will have its bodywork removed piece by piece to reveal what makes a Britten tick, with Bob Brookland, Craig Roberts and Kirsteen Britten on hand to talk about the bike and its maker. The dismantling will be filmed and projected on the auditorium screen so everyone gets a great view!
Demand for this event will be huge, so bookings are essential. Secure your space now.
Courtesy of Britten Motorcycle Co. Ltd
Related reading: special event
Exhibition
Great Britten! A work by Billy Apple
16 July – 6 November 2016
Billy Apple blurs the line between life and art with a new installation that celebrates the triumphant, record-shattering 1995 campaign of the Christchurch-designed Britten V1000 motorbike.
audio
The Sound of Thunder
John Britten's V1000 - currently on display as part of GREAT BRITTEN! A work by Billy Apple - doesn't just look impressive. Journalist Nick Ienatsch, who rode the Britten for an article in Sport Rider magazine in 1995, wrote of how the racetrack crowd ran to the pits to see and hear the bike start up: "I wondered if a NASCAR engine had just fired up; the Britten spewed sound like a fire hose gushes water."
Click on the PLAY button above and have a listen to it flying past and idling.
Image: Britten V1000 installed in GREAT BRITTEN! A Work by Billy Apple at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, July 2016. F002–92 collection of Kevin Grant. Photo: John Collie
Interview
Fly Shit on the Windscreen
In February 2016, Bulletin sent graphic designer and motorbike enthusiast Luke Wood to sit down with artist Billy Apple to discuss bikes, and in particular the Britten V1000. Designed and built in Christchurch by John Britten, the V1000 is the star of Apple’s new exhibition, Great Britten! A Work by Billy Apple. The following extracts were taken from the conversation.
Notes
Christchurch Art Gallery Foundation's Fifth Annual Gala Dinner
London's hottest chefs are coming to town – and you're invited to dinner!
