Jul 5, 2022 Metro Arts
Kia ora,
I woke up this morning as I do most mornings, in a bed with a five year old’s toes digging into the side of my body. It blows my mind how much strength they hold in those toes. Why?! How?! These very important existential thoughts holding me hostage at the golden hour, are part of my mourning the loss of the hotel room I spent the weekend in in Pōneke. Nothing beats those hospital corners, the hot chocolate sachets, and of course the alone time. Although being in the hotel, was also a stark reminder, that I have hit peak loser. Returning to my hotel room on Saturday afternoon to work the evening the away knowing I wouldn’t leave again, while the much older people in the lift cradled their evening’s beer boxes was confronting. Am I doing this life thing wrong? Another though to ponder at another golden hour.
The reason I was in Pōneke was to run a masterclass on vulnerability in creative non-fiction for the New Zealand Society of Authors Regional Roadshow. It’s so hard to tell if a workshop is going well at the time, but I had a great time and some awesome conversations, and I’m very grateful to the people who particpated in the art of courtesy nodding! There’s something quite admirable about the people who commit to working on their craft in that way, and if you are one of those people (or are aspiring to be) then I’m doing it all over again at the end of the month in Auckland, and you should come. There are also a heap of other really great workshops and talks for the Auckland roadshow. If you are that way inclined then I highly recommend coming along. See here for more information.
Further out in the world though, the Auckland Zinefest is on again, which is always a great place to find some treasures. Events back this year again include the Speed Zining, 24-Hour Zine Making Challenge, and the Zine Market Weekend. New additions include Self Care Saturday and a Typography Workshop. Get amongst. Also, Objectspace is currently seeking proposals for an innovative and site responsive installation for their courtyard. The successful project would be installed March next year, with proposals closing August 8. For more information including proposal guidelines see here. And don’t forget my job is up for grabs, read more here.
As always, if you have something you want to share hmu! lana@metromagazine.co.nz.
— Lana
Pictured: Installation shot from The Person @ Coastal Signs
Reckons
We had a team outing to the opening of Gilbert & George: The Tāmaki Makaurau Exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki on Thursday evening, and I thought it would enrage some kind of thoughts that I could reckon on, but I left feeling the opposite way.
The only thing that it did leave me thinking about was money. The art seems pretty high spec, I would assume that it’s a very monied show if the Phantom poster campaign, billboards and back of bus advertising is anything to go by. And I would love to know how much it all cost! My intrigue is not to draw out any tired art-money conversations, but to know if the financial investment in this show is worth it (and all the outrage which I’m sure if yet to come). I assume that there is always a hope with these kinds of shows that the ticket sales will return some much needed income to the gallery. I saw it when I was a gallery guide with shows like Degas to Dalí which would get so full we’d have to hold audiences outside until the space had cleared, but will this have the same appeal?
Gilbert & George: The Tāmaki Makaurau Exhibition
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
Recommendations
Muru
I highly recommend locking in your tickets for the world premiere of Muru which will open this year’s New Zealand International Film Festival on July 28 at The Civic. Written and directed by award-winning Tearepa Kahi, Muru takes us back to the dark day of October 15 2007 — the Tūhoe raids. While a dark national moment, muru itself is a Māori concept for reconciliation and forgiveness, defined in Te Aka: “A muru sought to redress a transgression with the outcome of returning the affected party back to their original position in society.”
The contrast between the stunning still surrounds of Te Urewera and Rūātoki, and the bashful entrance of the police under the anti-terrorism laws is startling. The film follows the armed offender chase for activist Tame Iti, who was allegedly leading a military-style training camp. Who along with 16 others was arrested under the Terrorism Suppression Act. Iti and Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara were later sentenced to two and a half years in prison on a firearms conviction. The raids were later found to be unlawful, unjustified and unreasonable by the Independent Police Conduct Authority, resulting in a 2014 police apology to the people of Tūhoe.
In Muru, the story centres on a cast of locals including Community Sergeant ‘Taffy’ Tawharau played by Cliff Curtis. Curtis is joined by a jam packed cast including Jay Ryan, Poroaki Merritt-McDonald Manu Bennett, Simone Kessell, and not to mention Tame Iti who plays himself.
The action-drama will screen in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, as well as Whakatāne. Visit the NZIFF website here for more information and to book your tickets to Muru.
Recon
Matariki Ring of Fire
Emily Karaka
Te Uru
18 June – 18 September 2022
The Person
Priscilla Rose Howe, Alex Laurie, Tom Tuke
Coastal Signs
24 June – 23 July 2022
Pacific Dance Digital Festival
Multiple locations
23 June — 31 July 2022
Te Atuitanga – Between Our Cloak of Stars
Mahiriki Tangaroa, Andy Leleisi’uao, Sylvia Marsters, Benjamin Work, Raymond Sagapolutele, Telly Tuita, Nina Oberg Humphries, Michel Tuffery & Kulimoe’anga Stone Maka.
Bergman gallery
25 June – 16 July
The Water Tastes Different Here
In*ter*is*land Collective
Tautai
25 June – 20 July
Gilbert & George: The Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Exhibition
Gilbert & George
Auckand Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
25 June – 11 September
Auckland Zinefest
Month of July
Elemental AKL
Across Auckland city
14 July — 31 July 2022
Takurua — Nafanua, War Goddess by Tala Pasifika Productions
Hunua Room, Aotea – Te Pokapū | Aotea Centre
14 — 23 July
Misere
Ammon Ngakuru
Coastal Signs
5 August – 3 September 2022
