Pacific Starmap

Call for Applications: Pacific Writer in Residence at the University of Hawaii

Robert — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:05:31 +0000

Fulbright New Zealand and Creative New Zealand invite applications for the 2010 Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer’s Residency, an award which offers a New Zealand writer of Pacific heritage the opportunity to work for three months on a creative writing project exploring Pacific identity, culture or history at the University of Hawai‘i. Valued at NZ$30,000, the residency includes return airfares to Hawai‘i, accommodation costs and a monthly stipend. It is open to writers across all genres, including fiction and non-fiction authors, poets and playwrights. Previous recipients have included children’s author Sarona Aiono-Iosefa, poet Tusiata Avia, playwright Victor Rodger and filmmakers Sima Urale and Toa Fraser. The three month residency is available from August to November 2010. The closing date for applications is Thursday 1 April 2010. See http://www.fulbright.org.nz/awards/nz-cnz.html for detailed information. Enquiries should go to Felicity Birch at Creative New Zealand - felicity.birch@creativenz.govt.nz or phone (04) 498 0735.

New Search Begins for New Zealand’s Best Street Dancers

Robert — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:31:21 +0000

Dancers from around the nation will bring their creative choreography, intense performance, and individuality to the stage in hopes to gain the title of 2010 New Zealand Street Dance Champion. Platforming New Zealand’s top competitive crews, the National Champs event will embrace the street dance culture and introduce the new BBOY 3on3 Battle. The search continues this Saturday 13 March 2010 with the regional event in Wellington. This is followed by the Waikato/BOP regional event on 20 March and Northland regional event on 27 March. The BBOY 3 on 3 Battle takes place at the National finals, Telstra Clear Pacific Arena, Great South Rd, Manukau on 9 and 10 April 2010. For more information visit www.sdnz.org.nz.

National Museum Purchases Daniel Waswas Painting

Robert — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:10:56 +0000

Congratulations are in order for Papua New Guinea contemporary artist Daniel Waswas. His magnificent work Look Within II has been purchased by Te Papa Tongarewa Museum in Wellington. Look Within II was one of three Waswas works exhibited at the recent “Ancestors of the Realm Exhibition” at the Kaohshiung Museum in Taiwan. Aucklanders can view the other two pieces and have coffee with Daniel this coming Monday 15 March 2010 at 11am at the okaioceanikart@Reef Gallery, 69 Beach Rd, Auckland.

(Look Within II, by Daniel Waswas. Acrylic on canvas, 2000 x 1500mm. The painting was recently purchased by the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum)

“Plastic”: A Solo Exhibition by Award Winning Designer Czarina Alisi Wilson

Robert — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:46:23 +0000

Fresh Gallery Otara is proud to present the highly anticipated first solo exhibition of Czarina Wilson, an award winning young designer with over ten years of experience creating boundary pushing garments for Westfield Style Pasifika, Villa Maria Cult-Couture and the Montana World of Wearable Arts competitions. In her first solo exhibition, her works examine the struggles of being hafekasi and negotiating acceptance from both Tongan and Pākehā communities. The exhibition opens on Thursday 18 March and runs until 10 April 2010. An interview will feature on Tagata Pasifika on TVNZ One tonight. For all exhibition enquiries, email Nicole.Lim@manukau.govt.nz or call 09 271 6019.

(Image courtesy of Fresh Gallery Otara)

Visesio Louis Thomsen Exhibits Award Winning Garments and New Designs

Robert — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:29:28 +0000

Award-winning Auckland designer Visesio Louis Thomsen presents a selection of garments in this stunning exhibition. Inspired by traditional processes and materials, his garments include Samoan textile as well as Western fabrics. White tapa and fine mat make up wedding gowns and evening wear along with silks, satins and delicate organdie. In 2008, Louis won the Villa Maria Cult-Couture Premier Award as well as the Matrimonial Bliss category. In 2009, Louis won the Evening Wear section for Westfield Style Pasifika as well as the Manukau Designer Award at Villa Maria Cult-Couture. This exhibition includes his award winning garments as well as new designs. The exhibition opened on 5 March and continues until 3 April 2010 at the Mangere Community Arts Outreach Service (Tuesday - Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am - 3pm).

“Gahua Lima - Creative Hands of Niue” Exhibition Celebrates Pasifika Festival 2010

Robert — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:04:59 +0000

The Okalana Niue Arts Group presents a collaboration of Niuean artists exhibiting contemporary and traditional work. The exhibition features the work of Cerisse Palalagi, Isisah Edwards, Amelia Fuemana-Talauta, Chloe Kauhiva, Janet Lilo, Miriam Poitoa-Kauhiva, Maiakitau Talauta and Seneua Pihigia-Fakakoa. The exhibition is showing on Level 4 of the Aotea Centre, The Edge from 8 - 12 March, 2010. Most works are for sale. “Gahua Lima - Creative Hands of Niue” is part of Auckland’s Pasifika Festival 2010.

‘Circular’ Features Pacific Jewellery Workshop and Floor Talk

Robert — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:03:55 +0000

Members of the public are invited to a Pacific inspired workshop led by artist Ela To’omaga Kaikilekofe. The workshop will be followed by an exhibition floor talk by curator Leanne Joy Lupelele Clayton and artists Lily Aitui Laita and Terry Koloamatangi Klavenes. These activities are part of the ‘circular’ exhibition and will take place at the Artstation Gallery on Saturday, 6 March 2010, at 11 am and 1:00pm respectively. Bookings for the workshop are essential, so email the organisers at tautai@tautai.org to reserve your place today.

(Image from eventfinder.co.nz website)

“Circular” Exhibition Features 11 Pacific Artists

Robert — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:49:27 +0000

‘Circular’ is the title of a new exhibition featuring the works of 10 artists who transform traditional and everyday objects into sculptures, installations, photography, prints and paintings. These mixed-media works also look at the traditional hand-made and labour-intensive approaches to object making. The artists include Theo Ah Wong, Faafetai Amituanai, Leanne Joy Lupelele Clayton, Tui Hobson, Terry Koloamatanga Klaveness, Lily Aitua Laita, Lina Marsh, Niki Hastings-McFall, Siliga Setoga and Ane Tonga. The exhibition is supported by Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust and is held in conjunction with Pasifika Festival 2010. It runs from 3rd to 13th March at the Artstation Gallery, 1 Ponsonby Road, Newton, Auckland.

(Image from eventfinder.co.nz website)

Newbie Writers’ Workshop with Banana Boat Writers Group

Robert — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:22:22 +0000

Got an idea for a story? Want to write? Looking to write but don’t know where to start? Written something but you’re not sure how good it is? Screenwriter David Mamea helps you answer these questions yourself as you take part in this workshop. D F Mamea is screenwiter, filmmaker, Banana Boat Writers Group coordinator and blogger. The workshop is proudly brought to you by Banana Boat Writers and is supported by Auckland City Creative Communities, Pasifika 2010 and Playmarket. It takes place on Tuesday 9 March from 10:00am to 12:00pm at the Council Chambers, Town Hall, Queen St Auckland. To register your interest, please email David at bananaboatnz@gmail.com by Monday 1st March. You can also call David 021668346 or Jenni Heka (09) 365 2648. Places are limited.

‘Music in Parks’ Brings Nesian Mystic, Cydel, Hikoikoi to Wainuiomata

Robert — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:24:20 +0000

The Pelorus Trust Music in Parks series is coming to Wainuiomata on Sunday 21 February 2010. The Pasifika beats of Nesian Mystik are set to resonate through Wise Park alongside Pacific Blues duo Cydel and Petone-based reggae and roots group Hikoikoi. Concert goers are in for a treat as they hear material from Nesian Mystik’s latest album Elevator musiq as well as crowd favourites. Led by David Letoa and Saipele Nili, Cydel is now an icon of the South Auckland music community. Hikoikoi are hometown favourites and combine roots-fuelled reggae, dramatic soul-flavoured vocals and a hint of jazz. (Information gathered from Citylife Wainuiomata News.)