Artists invited to stay at Parihaka
"We try and make it something you can be part of without having to nurture the fear of things Ma¯ ori."
Maata Wharehoka
An environmental art organisation is trying to debunk the fear surrounding one of Taranaki’s most famous land war sites by inviting artists to stay there.
The 10-day Solar Circuit Aotearoa New Zealand 2018 (SCANZ18) exhibition, put on by Intercreate, takes place at Parihaka in South Taranaki.
A range of international and national artists stay at the Parihaka marae and become immersed in the culture and community.
‘‘It’s a place for art, it’s a place for people to come where it’s not made overly precious,’’ curator of SCANZ18 Maata Wharehoka said.
Wharehoka is also the caretaker of the marae and was excited to welcome people in.
‘‘We try and make it something you can be part of without having to nurture the fear of things Ma¯ ori.’’
She wanted artists to just come and be part of the experience and they came with a lot of respect for the site, Wharehoka said.
Artists were asked to produce work relating to the exhibition’s theme of peace, water, and power, which Wharehoka said was a powerful combination when you thought about Parihaka.
The exhibition featured workshops on solar energy, traditional understandings of water flow and river health, and how to upcycle inexpensive cameras.
At the end of the 10 days artists presented their findings and artwork created during their stay at Parihaka.
Ian Clothier, executive director of Intercreate, was particularly pleased with the event location.
‘‘It’s a fantastic outcome of being in a discussion with tangata whenua for it to be hosted here.
‘‘It’s a great step forward in the relationship to host it here.’’
For the artists, having this kind of engagement with the community made it all the more special, Clothier said.
‘‘There is a different sense of the relationship humans have with the world here.’’
The mixture of bringing international and national artists to stay at a historic site is something that Nina Czegledy, chair of Intercreate, wasn’t sure had been done before.
‘‘The deep contact with the Ma¯ ori community is really unique,’’ she said.
‘‘You get a much more intimate connection.’’