Ngā Taonga Pūoro is a re-emerging art form. In this project we follow the unique kōrero of leading Taonga Pūoro practitioners from Te Waipounamu to co-create a digital archive as both poetic film and companion documentary. Ngā Taonga Pūoro are more prominent today, however, composer-musicians and their instruments crucially need ongoing support - this project aspires to be an exemplar in that tautoko.
Renowned artists collaborate for the PEPE project to create a cultural time-capsule, focussing on the musicianship and beauty of Taonga Pūoro in dialogue with contemporary dance (kanikani), raranga (weaving) and digital arts. This project is creating an archive that shares knowledge specifically of the Pūtōrino. Kāi Tahu wāhine musician-composers, Te Tumu Toi Arts Laureate Ariana Tikao, Dr Ruby Solly and Mahina-Ina Kingi-Kaui are supported by Alistair Fraser and New Zealand Arts Icon, Dame Gillian Karawe Whitehead. The celebrated dance artistry of Nancy Wijohn, supported by Kelly Nash, resonates with traditional Māori musical instruments through gesture, song, breath and pulse. Wijohn is adorned by the craft prowess of Kahu Collective - she incorporates in her channelled choreography a series of sculptural raranga pieces from Lisa Harding, Corabelle Summerton and Cathy Payne. The digital realm is where these distinctive artform voices coalesce, as cine-poems and story fragments. Our design kaupapa respectfully draws on Mātauranga Māori shared by this inspirational rōpū of wāhine toa.
Hineraukatauri, atua of traditional musical instruments, is the kaitiaki of all flutes or kōauau from the Taonga Pūoro family. The motif of the Pepe (Case Moth), is evoked as Taonga Pūoro combines with complementary practices in dance, craft and digital media. The PEPE project offers an authentic Kāi Tahu wāhine perspective with inter-related outcomes as cine-poem and film documentary, sharing instrument making pūkenga. An online resource embedded with bespoke knowledge from this exciting process will be available later this year. Ngā mihi nui to the wonderful artists involved in this project, including Matua Tony Smith, Stuart Foster, Jac Grenfell, Justin Cederholm, Bradon McCaughey, with Te Tumu Toi Arts Laureate Daniel Belton and Creative Producer Donnine Harrison. Thanks and acknowledgements to Bridget Johnson, Ahumairangi Studio, SpaceLab and Massey University whānau for your amazing support. The PEPE project is being produced with Regeneration Funding from Manatū Taonga Ministry For Culture & Heritage.
"Whakatauki Mā te whiritahi, ka whakatutuki ai ngā pūmanawa ā tāngata. Together weaving the realisation of potential"
