An Evening for 𝘛𝘦 𝘞𝘩𝘢̄𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘢

An Evening for Te Whāinga, a culture lab for civility

This Labour Weekend (25-28 October 2019), the Auckland Museum & The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center have organised Te Whāinga, a culture lab for civility. Bringing together more than twenty artists and cultural makers at Silo Park in Tāmaki Makaurau. Te Whāinga is a series of exhibitions, events and collaborations that will unfold over the four days.

Set up as a ‘Culture Lab’, these community-centred museum experiences encourage kaupapa to be shared with the intent to nurture collective imagination that prioritises equity, alongside peer-to-peer learning.

As part of this unique way of working, Artspace Aotearoa organises a meeting that celebrates, joins and supports the project. Through informal conversations around the concept, projections and methodologies we are hoping to explore the potential of Te Whāinga from artistic and curatorial perspectives, with the stress on what ‘civility’ might mean. Join us for an evening with some of the involved artists, organisers, and contributors of Te Whāinga to exchange experiences over kai and drinks before this much anticipated exhibition kicks off later at Silo Park.

Reckoning with Civility

2019 situates us in a host of collisions between our complex histories, enduring systems and beliefs, with a greater awareness of our ecological pressures and our future aspirations.

This year marks the 250th anniversary of Captain James Cook’s arrival in Aotearoa New Zealand, UNESCO has declared 2019 the Year of Indigenous Languages and the New Zealand Government has delivered a landmark action on climate change.

Meanwhile, people throughout the world and from various walks of life have recognised that the solutions to today’s greatest challenges, inevitable tensions and intersections can only be realised by seeking compatibility of aspirations without denying these fundamental cultural and cognitive complexities amongst one another.

Te Whāinga is a unique opportunity to engage and collaborate with some of today’s most creative talents who explore what it truly means to coexist within our communities, societies, and humanity.

More information on the main programme at tewhainga.com

Te Whainga is organised by Auckland Museum & The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.