Copyright Mana Moana Collective
Ōtepoti 2023
Mana Moana Ōtepoti 2023
Mana Moana is a curated artist led collaboration between Māori and Pacifica visual artists, musiciansm writers, and choreagraphers to produce short art films. Instead of projecting these films onto a traditional film screen, Mana Moana explores its themes of ocean, migration, and diaspora on a screen of water.
The films explore indigenous relationships and identities with the ocean. As we grapple with climate change, our futures will be linked in new ways. Water is connective tissue – the seas connect us all between the islands of the Pacific – and Mana Moana is literally projecting its stories on water.
“In the face of our climate emergency this work is timely and relevant” – Rachael Rakena, Mana Moana Curator.
Info.
2023
Friday 14, Saturday 15, Sunday 16 July
5.30pm – 8.30pm
Steamer Basin, Dunedin Harbour waterfront
Artworks
Te Rereka o te Toroa
2023
Louise Pōtiki Bryant (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) with Moana Wesley (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha) and Ati Teepa (Kāi Tahu, Ngāi Tuhoe) tells a story of returning to the home of your tīpuna and how the Toroa (albatross) is steeped in symbolism. Carving our coast line with strength and majesty, when they leave, just like the stars of our new year, they always return.
Collapsed worlds
2019
Collapsed Worlds by Johnson Witehira (Tamahaki, Ngāi Tū-te-auru, Ngāti Hinekura) with music by Rio Hemopo-Hunuki (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa, Niuē) is an exploration into the atua of our underworld. Within the centre is a tara of Hinenuitepō, the place where Māui was crushed in his attempts to gain immortality for humankind. In this animation carvings, sailing ships, and compasses sail into the centre where a child in utero represents us all. This film looks at our Māori and Pākehā world views and the way in which the past can impact the shape our future takes and whether it gives us life or collapses.
Ka Rāranga Wai, 2019
Ka Rāranga Wai was made in 2019 featuring paintings by Robyn Kahukiwa (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāti Hau, Ngāti Konohi, Te Whānau-a-Ruataupare, Te Whānau-a-Te Aotawarirangi), in collaboration with the poetry and voices of Tina Ngata (Ngāti Porou), Dayle Takitimu (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Apanui), and Michelle Ngamoki (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau a Apanui), art direction and animation by Johnson Witehira (Tamahaki, Ngāi Tū-te-auru, Ngāti Hinekura) with soundscape by Warren Maxwell (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngai Te Rangi). Paintings are brought to life, telling stories of the ways water carves through land and falls as tears from Ranginui. Now we think of the legacy that Kōkā Robyn has left us – and we weep with love, acknowledging her passing. We honour the force that is and was our māreikura, Robyn Kahukiwa, and present this as a maimai aroha.
Oku Kainga Te Moana
2023
Ōtepoti Pasifika Arts Collective speak to a sense of belonging when that concept flows across the moana. Pip Laufiso andDr Irene Karongo Hundleby led the project with twenty local Pasifika artists to explore grief and tradition and how home can be many places.
Māringiringi ai te wai, 2023
New work by directed by Terri Crawford that brings dance to heal and acknowledge the mauri of the whenua at Māhia in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Puehu te one, pakini te one
2023
TBC
Pe’e – Invocation to Tangaroa
2021
Part of Pacific Voices
Full credits on film link
Raemaki Karati
Louise Potiki Bryant
Praise song for Oceania
2021
Part of Pacific Voices
Full credits on film link
Craig Santos Perez
Mike Bridgman
Rachael Rakena
Laughton Kora
What does Hineari See
2021
Part of Pacific Voices
Full credits on film link
Raihania Tipoki
Riki Gooch
Storybox
Riki Gooch
Storybox
I am Sieni
2021
Part of Pacific Voices
Full credits on film link
Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafuna’i
Cora-Allan Wickliffe
Moretekorohunga Lloyd
Riki Gooch
Storybox
Samoa Asks
2022
Aigagalefili Fepulea’i Tapua’i / Regan Balzer / Horomona Horo / Steven Rapana / Dr. Jeremy Mayall
A climate activist and poet of Aotearoa, Aigagalefili Fepulea’i Tapua’i, brings to life her words of youthful wisdom and endearment to her family, that are weaved with honour, love, and respect through ‘Samoa speaks’. Her spoken commitment a shelter of protection for her family both past and present and all they represent in land, ocean and spirit that connects Aotearoa with Samoa and Samoa with Aotearoa.
Created as part of Mana Moana Pasifika Voices, a collection of video works created to amplify and support the Pacific to drive global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We SEE Monsters
2021
Bracken Hanuse Corlett / Dean Hunt
Reconfigured for Mana Moana Nuit Blanche Festival, Toronto (2022)
This work comes from across the Pacific, North West Coast of Canada, visual artist Bracken Hanuse-Corlett and his DJ cousin Dean Hunt from mixed Coast Salish ancestry of the Klahoose Nation (grandmother’s side) and Wuikinuxv and Kwakwaka’wakw from his grandfather’s side, and his DJ cousin Dean Hunt.
As a skipper and fisherman head out to sea, the moon shines overhead and sea monsters conduct ceremony in the depths below. “Our ceremonial songs and dances were considered illegal for 66 years under the potlatch ban. We were not recognized as human beings until 1972.
The layers of government and bureaucracy continue to push pipelines and other detrimental projects onto the land. The list is long for why we do not take part (. On the evening before the big party we will take our positions and practice our art as our ancestors have done since time immemorial.