unvarnished facts, reckless guesswork, insinuations and possible inventions that have arrived at overthenet.blog@gmail.com: there’s a push to elect hamish mckay as the first chairman of the recently formed new zealand art gallery directors association. the künstlerhaus bethanien, host to cnz’s berlin visual artists' residency, is under siege by artists as an attempt to restrict tenants to ‘serious’ art institutions is coming up against such determined opposition that its ability to continue in its current role is no longer certain. a copy of speculation, the best new zealand artists book for venice has been spotted at artspace. the auckland art fair has alerted participants to wear black tonight so as not to look fat on television. art asia pacific magazine is confused, reporting that "new zealand has opted out of mounting a pavilion at venice this year, and plans instead to send a small delegation of five to distribute a new publication on art from the pacific." any missed details, indignant denials or additions gratefully received, and the one that makes us laugh out loud the longest - rewarded.