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NEW ZEALAND NOTES & COMMENT: |
by Warwick Paterson |
NEW ZEALAND NOTES by Warwick Paterson Here We Go Again – This Time the Class of 2009
Last year when I came to review the issues for 2008, I looked for trends as usual. Something – anything – which introduced a new factor into the equation and I didn’t find a great deal to excite the mind except the subtle and most welcome of trends – the move to greater sophistication and maturity in the way we dealt with the spiritual aspect of Maori myth and legend. Apart from more refined presentation of a number of issues this year, it’s almost a carbon copy situation. The designs are good and competent and in all cases represent the development of their subjects to a fine art. But where oh where is the inspiration which would get away from the need to slavishly follow themes (racing cars, lighthouses, insects, stamps on stamps, children’s art on stamps and yachting). In my opinion stamp issues will benefit from a “think tank” approach calling on intelligence and informed brainstorming to produce some new ideas and initiatives to take us into the second decade of the 21st century. However one trend is becoming obvious. This is the move to larger stamps where it is appropriate to blow up the detail in the subject matter. Most obvious case in point is the Giants Of New Zealand issue (4th of March), all the featured animals are – quite rightly – considerably enlarged and feature detail which would have been lost in a stamp of smaller dimension. Lighthouses of New Zealand (7th January 2009) These are very fine – even majestic – designs and all succeed extremely well. Even the little bit of local colour which is grass in the foreground, waves on the shore, the sea swell coming in from the ocean, setting sun reflected on the mountain and the night sky all add and contribute to a very sound group of designs. The slightly fluorescent beams from the lighthouse are an innovation but to slap them willy-nilly on every design even when the sun’s shining strains credulity. Both they and the crazy angle signpost in the $2.50 in my opinion verge on gimmickry. Successful Year of the Ox (7th January 2009) A pretty ho-hum little set of three these, with an attempt to combine Chinese symbols and components with a token Auckland Harbour Bridge slapped like a flying Band-Aid across the high value. Come to think of it what is this issue for? I think most thinking Chinese would be taken aback by the throw-away nature of these designs and their bog-standard production. To me they have all the impact of Chinese lanterns in the breeze. Could try harder. Relatively unsuccessful NZ Champions of Motorsport (4th February 2009) This is a nice thematic to hone in on and someone at New Zealand Post had the bright idea. This above all I think because all nations seem to produce a series of leaders in cultural and sporting pursuits that are peculiar to them, and motor racing has since at least World War II has been one of New Zealand’s most successful sports. Its designer managed to shoehorn in Scott Dixon who has only appeared on the scene in the last few years but is nonetheless worthy in all respects. He gets the 50c. This is a fine set based on photographic designs, but well-coloured and full of action and speed bursting out of the design. NZ Post has handled it well. Very successful Giants of New Zealand (4th March 2009) This five value set is a big set in every way with oceans of impact. The stamps themselves are huge, far bigger than a normal set of commemoratives. The two extinct birds (Moa and Giant Eagle) have a lot of impressive movement which I guess befits an attempt to bring them to life again so many years after their extinction. (I read that Moa DNA has now been extracted from fossil egg shells- watch where you walk). To most New Zealanders the Weta is the scariest critter that you’re likely to meet on a dark night. The giant variety lives on an offshore island and is better avoided. Once again the computer-assisted designs combined with offset lithography result in a design with a curious lack of textural nuances. These brutes would benefit from as much realism as possible. Having said that in my opinion the artist has done well to achieve perspective in most of the designs. Very successful Afterthought The above are obviously computer-assisted designs – one of my bêtes-noires. If this set is anything to go by the larger size combined with other devices to create perspective is succeeding in removing the relative “flatness” of this mode of design production. If anything is innovative this year and from a design perspective, this design is. ANZAC II – Comrades in Arms (1st April 2009) A continuation of this series “Lest we Forget”. The juxtaposition of the evocative sepia photograph reproductions and the red poppy is entirely effective and adds a definite distinction to this issue as it did previously. This set highlights above all the intense interest that New Zealanders feel in the wars and conflicts in which we have served with distinction. France in the trenches in the First World War and Battle of Britain and the Battle of the River Plate are dominant developments in New Zealand’s sense of individuality and nationhood. I once had the opportunity to discuss the war at length while hosting two visiting Germans. One of them had suffered badly in World War II and at 12 been not quite old enough to be drafted into the Hitler Youth. He was rendered mute for a full 12 months. He had held high positions in business in the former West Germany after the war. The hyper-consciousness in New Zealand of wartime facts, figures and experiences – as well as memorials took him aback. Conclusion – it is still highly fashionable to commemorate the First and Second World Wars in New Zealand – presumably considerably less so in modern Europe where politically at least history has moved on. As part of a cruise on the Rhine last year we were given a presentation about WWII on reaching Nuremberg. I listened carefully. Feeling emboldened I asked whether the idea of the “Bomber Harris” saturation raids on Dresden, Hamburg et al as war crimes was taking hold. Quite the contrary, came the answer. With disarming frankness our young university lecturer explained that Germans now see them-selves as having started the war and now accept that they “reaped the whirlwind”. Auckland Harbour Bridge 50th Anniversary (1st May 2009) These designs cover the whole gamut of Harbour Bridge history. The bridge – which incidentally resembles one which I saw in the Scottish Borders I think – (anyone help?) – is the most distinctive shape in view when you enter Auckland Harbour. The “coat hanger” used to be four lanes only (cf 50c and $1.50 values) but after a few years it became obvious that a demand for a cross harbour link was going to outstrip by far, the capacity of the original bridge. Most older Aucklanders remember walking over the bridge in 1959 and also the addition of the “Nippon Clipon” when extra lanes (two each side) were brought in on the back of ships having been pre-fabricated in Japan. Today the bridge is choc-a-bloc at all times of day and at most times of night. It is doubtful that large crowds will ever again be allowed to occupy the bridge on foot. During a land protest march some years ago, the combined effect of human feet balancing themselves against the developing sway of the bridge caused not a few officials, not a few beads of perspiration. Bridges like this were never built for pedestrians use. Good, sound photographic designs of interesting colours and variation in presentation. Very successful Matariki – Heitiki (24th June 2009) This set which will be of intense specialist interest to the student of Maoritanga. At first glance you almost get the feeling that these are all the same design, but look again and carefully. The Haetiki is among the most iconic of Maori artistic artifacts and holds great symbolic significance. Regrettably, over the years most you see these days are made of plastic and made somewhere other than New Zealand. A real Tiki is not an object that is obtained lightly and its whereabouts will be carefully remembered by whichever tribe it came from as one would a close relative. Here I think the designer has been fully aware of the racial and tribal significance of what he is portraying as have the sculptors of these modern examples and has depicted them with integrity. At first glance the overseas viewer may find it difficult to see the significance and the differences, but given time and a little study they will grow on you. Definitely a “mature” set even if you have to concentrate and research the subject to get the point. Extremely successful Scenic Definitives – New Values (1st July 2009) Six widely varied scenes to add to an enduringly successful pictorial definitive series. Quite notable now in New Zealand stamps is the improvement in presentation of these ongoing series year on year. In the case of these definitives the images seem sharper and the colours brighter than previously and the artistic nature of the scenes is well-balanced and satisfying. It has to be said that New Zealand Post when it gets on to a good idea has the sense to stick with it and continue to improve it. If that’s an on-going development in New Zealand stamp design production, how could one possibly complain? Very highly successful indeed A Tiki Tour of New Zealand (5th August 2009) The very title “A Tiki Tour of New Zealand” will confuse many, but my understanding is “Tiki Tour” referred to a commercial tourist organization of the past. Nowadays in New Zealand parlance if you “take a Tiki Tour” of virtually anything it simply means that you have a good look around – and not looking for this either (c.f. “take a shufty”). This sheetlet wouldn’t make a lot of sense if it were broken up for stamps seen individually. In fact you might have difficulty putting the whole jigsaw together, particularly where a particular stamp has very little of New Zealand on it (CF Row 1, Number 3, Row 2 Number 3, Row 5 Number 3, Row 6 Number 3.) There are 24 stamps in the jigsaw and it’s an odds-on possibility that very few of these individual stamps will be used on the mail. They’re all of a 50c face value. In fact just recognising the stamps is one thing, but trying to tie in the peripheral illustrations and associate them with the different regions is in itself a test to the imagination and would make a good exercise for some primary school somewhere. The final conclusion: too fussy, too crowded, too complex, too confusing and above all too, too clever. Not really very successful at all 80th Anniversary of Children’s Health Stamps (7th September 2009) Another pitch on the Stamps on Stamps thematic market which in itself is becoming a decidedly crowded area of stamp issuing particularly in New Zealand. I guess they must be popular or New Zealand Post wouldn’t be doing this but this year’s efforts leave a lot to be desired in my opinion. First of all the stamp’s background appear to be a monochrome presentation of a montage of previous stamps and then on top of that, we have the stamp commemorating itself. Clearly this set has been put together by someone with no philatelic sensibilities at all. The 1d Hygeia is a stamp so soiled and worn that is unlikely that any self-respecting collector would keep it for their collection. A huge opportunity was missed with the 1996 40c + 5c Child in Car Seat issue. Tongue-in-cheek I suggest that the “Teddy Bear” error would have attracted a lot more attention. Regrettably this is not clever stamp making or designing and smacks of boredom and lack of interest, presumably all in the name of economy, pity. Markedly unsuccessful KiwiStamp Definitive – No Value Indicated (7th September 2009) Hardly a new idea in the world of stamp issuing but one which appears to have stood the test of time in other countries. Designed to represent the standard value of postage – whatever that may be at a given time – these stamps will be continue to be useful in perpetuity. That itself is an interesting development where it could reasonably have been said that successive governments gain considerably by selling mint stamps, either for use or collecting which remained unused in perpetuity. This is because of the increase in postal rates or because in earlier years of demonetisation. Another factor interestingly, is that an unseen contingent liability of any postal authority is the large bulk of unused stamps, still valid for post, which are held by the public either at home or overseas. Sometimes this has caused ructions as a few years ago when stamps sent to South Africa (I believe) for publicity purposes found their way back to New Zealand and were sold at hefty discounts to commercial users in the New Zealand market. New Zealand Post was not amused. However, here we have the solution and one produced by those who have in the past stood to gain most. Whenever the postal rate goes up stamps will continue to be used which will make the announcement of impending postal rate increases a closely guarded secret. Come to think of it New Zealand Post could make a few dollars out of that too as pressure will be on to “stock up” at the lower price with stamps which will still be usable after the price increase. As for the designs these have a rather cartoonish character which yet again relentlessly allows us to pat ourselves on the back for our “unique way of life”. About the only unique design is the Kiwifruit and even that is not so unique since the New Zealand authority allowed the sale of root-stock to overseas producers many years ago presumably as a well thought through plan to boost export sales. The rest is history and points to the rather insular feel-good fact that is well established in stamp design in New Zealand. This set confirms that. I heard the New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key speak recently and he made the point that the sooner we start looking outwards at what our competitors are doing, rather than inwards at what makes us feel secure and comfortable then we will have a chance of catching up with the Australian economy. Kiwi navel- gazing at its best – a smug little set. Not completely unsuccessful Christmas (7th October 2009) In terms of the religious scenes, a good enough set I suppose with Shepherds, Holy Family and Wise Men portrayed artistically but acceptably enough. However, the feel good factor is here yet again with the Summer Chair, Pohutukawa Tree and the Beach Scene. The three children’s designs – well, what can you say anymore – the best thing is that Children’s Design Competitions for stamps involve children and there is always a sound reason for doing that. Comfort food – if not exactly for the intellect. Averagely successful Sir Peter Blake 1948-2001 (25th November 2009) This is a good set and in my opinion represents a move to look upwards and outwards for once. Peter Blake is undoubtedly a modern New Zealand hero, and like all heroes his image has been expanded, enlarged and honed over the past few years since his death. The shape of the illustrated area of the stamp is clever – very clever. I’ve seldom seen anything more evocative of a wind-filled yacht’s sail. This factor alone is a breakthrough in stamp design. The scenes themselves all feature Peter Blake in the various roles in which we like to think of him and show the man for what he was as an individual of adventure, enterprise, imagination and above all success. Our country could do with more of this type of issue (and man for that matter). No one looking at it can mistake its significance. Hugely successful
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