Annie Latu and Nikki Shepard brought their stories to their South Auckland community last week by taking their multi-media art to the streets and malls of Manukau. The two young women made their social documentary from technology available around them including mobile phones, digital cameras and the internet. They mixed video, photography, sound and graphics to produce art that was shown on LCD screens in the Westfield shopping Centre Manukau, and on street posters. The exhibition was an initiative of photographer and multimedia artist Serena Giovanna Stevenson and formed part of the Manukau Arts Festival. Annie Latu says the exhibition has been a real boost for her after being forced to drop out of high school. She hopes to pursue her new-found skill by taking a photography course at MIT. Some of the art work can be viewed on the “Beyond Documentary” blog site.
(Image from the “Beyond Documentary” blog site)
Modelled on Amateur Night at the Apollo in 1930s Harlem, presented by the Auckland Theatre Company, and featuring some of the country’s finest comedians, Kila Kokonut Krew’s Strictly Brown was a highlight of this year’s Manukau Arts Festival. The comedy variety show featured Robbie Magasiva, Vela Manusaute, Anapela Polataivao, Goretti Chadwick, Aleni Tufuga, Stacey Leilua, Glen Jackson and the Kila Kokonut Krew Band. The Kila Kokonut Krew was formed in 2005 by Vela Manusaute and Anapela Polataivao to create work for emerging Pacific actors. Their previous shows include Once were Samoans and the Taro King. Proceeds from the event went to the Red Cross’s funds for tsunami relief.
Along with 20 other talented New Zealand artists, Pacific sculptors Tui Hobson (Cook Islands) and Filipe Tohi (Tonga) are exhibiting some of their work in the Auckland Botanic Gardens. This is part of the Stoneleigh Sculpture in the Gardens collection curated by Lisa Reihana, Alexa Johnston and Leo Jew. The sculptures are positioned on a 1.8 km trail allowing everyone to enjoy these large works of art in a beautiful garden setting. All works are for sale – an opportunity to take home a limited edition piece of New Zealand art. The exhibition runs from November 2009 until 14 February 2010 at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.
(Image of Tui Hobson from Matariki Festival 2009 Website)
The Dawson Road Mural project brings together the ideas and input of local youth to create a significant public artwork next door to Tupu Youth Library in Otara, South Auckland. As part of the Manukau Arts Festival, a designer is working with local volunteers for two days to create a large-scale outdoor painting to adorn the concrete stage structure at Ferguson Oaks Park. This unique community event takes place on 7 and 8 November, 2009 from 10am-4pm on Dawson Road. The project is a partnership between Manuaku City Council and the Manukau Beautification Trust. Find out more at: http://dawsonroadmuralproject.wordpress.com
Image courtesy of Fresh Gallery Otara
Annie Latu and Nikki Shepard brought their stories to their South Auckland community last week by taking their multi-media art to the streets and malls of Manukau. The two young women made their social documentary from technology available around them including mobile phones, digital cameras and the internet. They mixed video, photography, sound and graphics to produce art that was shown on LCD screens in the Westfield shopping Centre Manukau, and on street posters. The exhibition was an initiative of photographer and multimedia artist Serena Giovanna Stevenson and formed part of the Manukau Arts Festival. Annie Latu says the exhibition has been a real boost for her after being forced to drop out of high school. She hopes to pursue her new-found skill by taking a photography course at MIT. Some of the art work can be viewed on the “Beyond Documentary” blog site.
