Absurd introduction
Art at the museum
Auckland War Memorial Museum is presenting a new exhibition of contemporary art: Korero Mai, Korero Atu: Artists Areta Wilkinson and Te Rongo Kirkwood from June 30. Two highly regarded contemporary Maori artists, Wilkinson and Te Kirkwood, will showcase their work in the Special Exhibitions Hall. Both artists have ongoing relationships with Tamaki Paenga Hira and Korero Mai, Korero Atu draws on the connection between the museum’s extensive collections and the artists’ own works. ‘‘Around the globe museums are stimulating new thinking about ways to enable people to participate in the development of their collections,’’ says museum director Roy Clare. ‘‘As a kaitiaki, Auckland museum protects and cares for an extensive range of significant cultural material, notably including vitally important taonga. Excitingly, Korero Mai, Korero Atu provides an innovative opportunity to extend our vision of re-connecting the treasures with people across Auckland. The exhibition runs until
September 11.
Poi E workshop
The Patea Maori Club are running a workshop at the Corban Estate Arts Centre Matariki Festival. They will teach participants to sing their song Poi E to promote a revival of of the song to coincide with the release of the movie Poi E: The Story of Our Song. Poi E is still the only song in te reo Maori to top the music charts. The song was composed by Ngoingoi Pewhairangi and Dalvanius Prime in 1984 as a way of getting young people interested in te reo. ‘‘We love to encourage all New Zealanders to sing Poi E and so we’re delighted to be presenting this workshop for Matariki,’’ says Patea Maori Club original performer and trustee Miri Snee. The free workshop is on July 2.
In rehearsal
The theatrical trailer of The Rehearsal, Alison Maclean’s vibrant screen adaptation of Eleanor Catton’s debut novel has been released online. The Rehearsal will have its world premiere at the Civic Theatre on July 23 as the centrepiece of the New Zealand International Film Festival. Starring James Rolleston, Kerry Fox, Ella Edward, Alice Englert and Marlon Williams, The Rehearsal is directed by Maclean, who also wrote the script alongside award winning novelist Emily Perkins.
The New Zealand Dance Company will premiere its most provocative and poetic season yet, The Absurdity of Humanity at Auckland’s Q Theatre from August 24-27. Artistic director Shona McCullagh couples the striking works of choreographers Ross McCormack (Matter) and Lina Limosani (Whispers from Pandora’s Box) to form a powerful transtasman double bill. The Absurdity of Humanity features performer Eddie Elliot. While studying dance at Unitec he watched a performance by NZDC, which inspired him to approach McCullagh. ‘‘Hello,’’ he said, ‘‘my name is Eddie and one day I’ll be in your company.’’ His bold statement would prove itself true, as he is now one of their professional dancers.