roundabout°

25 September 2010 – 16 January 2011
CITY GALLERY WELLINGTON

www.citygallery.org.nz 
www.aboutroundabout.com

Christchurch based performing arts collective Pacific
Underground brings their newest play “Rangi and Mau’s
Amazing Race” co-devised by Tanya Muagututi’a, Joy Vaele
and Ave Sua, to Auckland’s The Edge as part of the ‘Pick
& Mix’ programme on Saturday 17 July at 11am.

The humorous and educational play tells the story of a two
teenagers – one Samoan and one Maori – who need to
complete their Matariki homework assignment.  With the
assistance of a magic genie that sets down some challenges
they embark on an Amazing Race where they explore
significant historical events in New Zealand, and discover
the similarities in each others cultures.

Pacific Underground was established in 1993, and presented
ground breaking theatre with it’s first ever tour to
Auckland in 1994 at the Herald Theatre with the play
“Fresh Off The Boat” by Simon Small and Oscar Kightley.
Pacific Underground returned annually with a national
schools tour or a main bill theatre show until in 2004 took
a break from theatre shows and moved more into delivering
music shows, and events based in Christchurch.

“It’s good to come back to the The Edge with this show.
We’re really proud of it, and presenting it in this venue
especially is a good way to acknowledge our own journey.
We’ve been here twice with Fresh of the Boat and Oscar’s
play Dawn Raids in 1998.” says producer Tanya
Muagututi’a.

The return of Pacific Underground to the Edge comes at a
time when Matariki is increasingly and more widely
celebrated around New Zealand.  Rangi and Mau’s Amazing
Race was part of a mini tour to Dunedin, Christchurch and
Palmerston North as part of the Matariki celebrations in
each centre was performed in Marae and to schools in the
regions, receiving excellent reviews and feedback.

Dominion Post’s Karlo Mila describes it so.  “I laughed
so much that my four-year old felt the need to cover my
mouth with his hands….Watching it felt like a bicultural
coming of age.  It was a Samoan and Maori celebration oozing
inclusivity where people of diverse ethnic backgrounds could
galvanise around something incredibly special about the
indigenous people of this place.”

Tanya Muagututi’a
pacific.underground@clear.net.nz
021 1750697
http://www.the-edge.co.nz/Event-Pages/P/Pick—Mix/Pacific-Underground.aspx

Pacific Underground’s newest event that replaces the
annual Pacific Arts Festival is ‘Pacific Roots South’ a
series of music gigs that continues the celebration of New
Zealand’s Pacific indigenous contemporary bands out of the
South Island. 

The Dux de Lux will host Pacific Roots South on Thursday 15
July after an APRA / AMCOS music industry workshop in the
tavern Bar.

The Christchurch bands featured are Pacific Underground who
will open the night with a five piece unit lead by core
members Pos Mavaega (lead guitar / vocals), Tanya
Muagututi’a (lead vocal / guitar) and Chris Searle
(drums).  Songs from their popular guitar show Island Summer
also features Hemi Lesatele (guitar / vocals) and youngster
Talia-Rae Mavaega (guitar / vocals).  Fresh from their
performances in Dunedin and Palmeston North during the
Matariki season of gigs, Pacific Underground’s island
flavour is an excellent warm-up for reggae band
D’sendantz.

D’sendantz growing popularity due to regular gig spots at
Tru Bar, Sol Squre and Poplar Lane brings a raw energy of
roots reggae from a tight rhythm section laced with the
smooth and strong vocals of Jerry Taukamo and Marcel Bramao.
D’sendantz original songs are influenced by NZ’s own
roots – Katchafire sound, the difference being that the
funk rhythm of Pos Mavaega (bass), Jason JJ Otene (drums)
and Rob Payne (keys), present a distinctive reggae – funk
sound.  D’sendantz members are descendants of Ngati Porou,
Nga Puhi, Samoa, Portugal and Scotland, a true mix of
indigenous flavours.

To finish the night is Vela who bring a stellar sound that
originates from rock blues, played exquisitely by blues and
rock icons Fa’amoana John Luafutu (lead guitar /vocals)
and Clay Paviel (bass).  Their last appearance at the
Christchurch ‘I Love The Islands’ Tsuani Relief concert
at the Westpac Arena last year sent a hush across the crowd
as the Jimi Hendrix-like anthems from the seasoned Samoan
musicians reminded everyone in the room that the gathering
of Pacific musicians nationwide for the Samoa, and the
strength of the national network started with people like
Fa’amoana who’s early connections with the Polynesian
Panthers, Pacific Underground and many bands.  Fa’amoana
is also known as Scribe’s dad.

Future Pacific Roots South will take place in Dunedin and
Christchurch, and in the past year has already featured
guest artists, J Williams and Ladi 6, and Dunedin reggae
band ‘Koile.

Contact – Tanya Muagututi’a
pacific.underground@clear.net.nz
mb 021 1750697   ph 377 1097
www.myspace.com/pacificunderground

The next instalment of  The PLAYMARKET METRO THEATRE PLAYREADING SERIES in Mangere examines the world of a binge-drinking Samoan and the impact his lifestyle has on his teenage son, Palagi wife and his relationship with his mother. 

His Mother’s Son, by Leilani Unasa, is particularly resonant at a time when we are being empowered to tell our friends and family to ‘ease up on the drink’.

Unasa says “For me, the play is about what happens when you ignore the warning signals. And it’s about how loved ones learn to cope in dysfunctional circumstances. There’s lots of room for laughs and some for tears as well.”

15 July, 6.30pm
Metro Theatre (Mangere East Hall), 362 Massey St, Mangere East
Entry:Koha

Ernest Auora’s reflective collection Diaspora came about through a journey of self-discovery that was made possible through the revival of Pacific arts within this generation.

In this exhibition, Auora expresses his understanding of the migration of Polynesians to Aotearoa through reliving the migration process.

Motifs in this series depict specific attributes of historical significance; the artist has used bold colours, patterns and paddles to share his insight of the cultural wealth that lies beneath the surface of this subject matter.

16 July – 7 August
Fresh Gallery Otara, Otara Community Courtyard, Otara
Gallery hours: Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm; Saturday, 8am – 2pm

The title of this exhibition pays tribute to the many different voices that are expressed through visual arts. The exhibition focuses on the voices of artists who have exhibited at the Mangere Outreach Gallery over the past two and a half years.

It is important that the voices of artists are heard, retelling in visual format the stories of the communities they live in and commenting on cultural, social, and political situations.

23 July – 27 August
Mangere Community Arts Outreach Service
Shop 17, Mangere Town Centre, 93 Bader Drive, Mangere
Tuesday – Friday, 9am – 5pm; Saturday, 9am – 3pm

Living Room 2011 – An Auckland City Council Public Art Event

Call for a Curator

“Living Room” is a key annual public art event for Auckland City, which aims to bring high quality art to the streets of the CBD over a weeklong period.

Living Room has been running for four years and has evolved and grown over that time. The event takes place in variety of public spaces, and includes a range of visual and performing arts projects – both static and moving. The Living Room 2011 programme will have strong performative aspects, and include performances, performative installations, ephemeral art projects, and video programming.

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from curators to develop and curate the Living Room 2011 programme. Council also appoints a project manager as part of the Living Room team who will work closely with the curator, and will manage the delivery of the event.

Our ideal candidate for curator will have a proven track record of innovative curatorial practice, be Auckland based, and be able to work as part of a high performing team to deliver an outstanding event.

The deadline for expressions of interest is Friday 30 July 2010, 5pm

See the attached document for more information, and visit the Auckland City Council website http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/events/livingroom/default.asp

Renowned International Artist Wendy Kawabata brings exhibition ‘Pull, Poke, Fold’ from Honolulu, Hawaii to the Corban Estate Arts Centre 15 July – 29 August.

Wendy Kawabata’s interest in New Zealand was first sparked by artist Fatu Feu’u whom she met during her time as Chair of the Intersections Visiting Artist and Scholar Program, at the University of Hawaii. Feu’u spoke well of the New Zealand art community and from there Kawabata’s curiosity and interest in New Zealand culture and contemporary art, lead her to propose an exhibition at the Corban Estate Arts Centre.

In her artistic work Kawabata is drawn to materials that bring their own history with them. In Withdrawn from Circulation, Kawabata uses old books that have been taken out of circulation from Honolulu’s public libraries. She purchased each book for $1 and by repeated and exaggerated ‘dog-earing’ she changes the books function, transforming them from what we know and expect, into a formal and beautiful installation.

“The interior of a book is traditionally focused on the individual and private experience of reading. With these books, their interiors have become exposed and rearranged – the private experience is no longer accessible. Now they’re the barnacles that grow on library walls, all activity and inactivity at the same time.” (Wendy Kawabata)

Wendy Kawabata earned a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and an MFA from the University of New Mexico. She has exhibited in numerous exhibitions across the USA and is currently a Professor of Art & Art History at the University of Hawaii.

Alongside ‘Pull, Poke, Fold’ local artists Beth Serjeant and Alison Milne respond to themes in Kawabata’s work. In ‘Ports of Call’ well known print and book maker Beth Serjeant, explores the emigration of her ancestors from Europe to New Zealand. An installation of artifacts, found objects and domestic craft illustrates and embellishes the route they took to reach the antipodes.

Alison Milne, textile artist, has created a faux gravesite with handmade, vibrantly coloured, fabric flowers in ‘In Lieu of Flowers’. She is referencing the care and attention Polynesian families give to their gravesites, where masses of real and plastic flowers, windmills, photos and memorabilia cover the graves, celebrating love, life and memories of home.

All three exhibitions open at the Corban Estate Arts Centre Gallery on Thursday 15 July and run until the 29^th of August.

For more information on CEAC exhibitions and events, visit www.ceac.org.nz