15 minutes of fame
This month The Dominion Post has taken not to the streets but to the phones and the internet to ask people who might not normally feature in the media a series of random questions. Talei Langley, a gallery administrator at Wellington’s Portrait Gallery, is on lockdown at home with her husband, two boys, two cats, and seven chooks.
Who would you invite – dead or alive – for a private dinner (one person only)?
James Mack, now deceased, was a prior director of the Dowse. When I was studying – I did an art history degree – I did my research on the Dowse, under James Mack and Tim Walker. He sounds like a really interesting, colourful person.
If you could give advice to your teenage self, what would it be?
I don’t think I’d be the person I am now if I’d had different experiences. I think my teenage self would like who I am today, anyway.
If you got to represent New Zealand at the Olympics (summer or winter), what event would it be?
I once heard that the Olympics used to have an art category. I would like to do some kind of curating of some art for the Olympics.
What trait do you most abhor in others?
A lack of curiosity, or a closed mind. Who doesn’t want to learn new things?
Would you like to be famous?
Not really, because I think it would be more hassle than good. I think the lack of privacy would be annoying, and the influence is overrated.
What piece of technology would you prefer had not been invented?
I think I would like the world to scrap social media – even now. I think it’s a lot to keep up with and it’s time consuming. It encourages you to create a version of yourself, or feel like you’re doing something when you’re not.
Is it time to ban Guy Fawkes and fireworks? Yes. I think it does more harm than good, and you can have public fireworks but there is no need for people to have them individually. They cause fires and angst for animals.
The last time I interacted with one of my neighbours was . . .
We’ve had brand new neighbours move in next door, a young couple with a baby and a dog, so we met them just before lockdown. The person before them had not done any gardening for three or four years, so they’ve got this exciting backyard, which is basically one giant blackberry bush and an orchard of fruit trees.
You can commission an artwork by any artist – who and why?
In my job, I get to do that a lot. Last year we worked with Jacqueline Fahey, such a cool inspirational individual; 90 and still painting, a staunch feminist. We are also going to be working with Star Gossage later this year, whose works are about land and connection to scenery. I can’t leave the house without . . .
At the moment, I can’t leave the house at all, but normally . . . my knitting. As well as working at the gallery, I own a little yarn dyeing business, SandCoast Skeinery. I’m knitting a shawl, which I started just before the lockdown.
We’re looking for subjects. Among all the coronavirus news, we want to bring you something lighthearted and fun to read, as well as to join in on. We have a list of 100 questions – you pick 10 and give us your answers. Nominate yourself or someone you know (with consent) by emailing capitalday@dompost.co.nz.