In November 2021 Good Company Arts hosted a research hui (PEPE) representing the start of a specific trajectory with Taonga Pūoro and Cinematic Virtual Reality (CVR). This is the third time we bring the powerful sound of Taonga Pūoro into CVR, following projects Astrolabe - Whakaterenga (2018), and OneOne - Raranga (2021) featuring the late Dr Richard Nunns.
Ariana Tikao, Ruby Solly and Alistair Fraser co-created original music during recording sessions in the presence of Taonga Pūoro composer and New Zealand Arts Icon, kuia Dame Gillian Karawe Whitehead.
"Nguru" is the first journey work in our digital-film series that celebrates Taonga Pūoro Musicians and their traditional instruments, connecting these healing voices to dance with new technologies for contemporary storytelling.
The Nguru is the nose flute, which we see depicted in a geometric woven basket form here containing the harakeke whāriki from Kahu Collective, adorned by dancer/choreographer Christina Guieb.
Hineraukatauri, Māori goddess of traditional musical instruments, is the kaitiaki of all flutes or kōauau from the Taonga Pūoro Whānau. The motif of the Pepe (Case Moth), is evoked through an opening dance with flax-wing mats. In the closing, the dancer is cocooned like a pupa within the prow of this giant Nguru form, gliding through space time. Our visual film frame is crafted in the shape of the Pūtōrino embouchure hole (mangai), resembling a Butterfly or Moth. The purpose is to encapsulate a safe environment through which the art work can exist as a kind of omnipresent digital tohu. The premise for our research is bound to the custodian kaupapa of responsibility as stewards and kaitiaki for Papatūānuku (Mother Earth).
The next stage for this project is to share our VR findings for "Nguru" during Matariki 2022. "Whakatauki Mā te whiritahi, ka whakatutuki ai ngā pūmanawa ā tāngata. Together weaving the realisation of potential".
The “Nguru” film can be enjoyed here: PEPE Projects page
Ngā mihi nui Gillian, Ariana, Ruby and Alistair for your beautiful mahi and sharing with the PEPE Project. Ngā mihi nui Lisa Harding (Kahu Collective) and Christina Guieb for your great work with harakeke and dance. Ngā mihi nui Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage and Creative New Zealand toi Aotearoa for supporting us and making this special collaboration possible. Good Company Arts Whānau
