Artspace Aotearoa Hui-ā-Tau AGM 2020

Tono: An invitation to clear, reconnect and restore
Waerea led by Artspace Aotearoa Te Manu Taiko, Tūī Matira Ranapiri-Ransfield

Nau mai, Haere mai. Artspace Aotearoa Hui-ā-Tau will be held Saturday 12th December, and is opening at 4pm with a waerea.

"He māmore rākau e taea te tōpeke ake; tēnā he wai moana e kore e taea te rere.[1]"

Waerea is an ancestral ceremonial practice to purposefully clear all obstructions and regenerate mauri-ora (well-being). The practice of tikanga connects spirit, mind, body, and place, ki te taha wairua, taha hinengaro, taha tinana, taha whenua, taha moana.

Artspace Aotearoa stands with Tāmaki Makaurau whanaunga galleries[2] in our continuing commitment to actioning Te Tiriti. Artspace Aotearoa wants to acknowledge those people impacted by social and cultural injustice, in a way that addresses the resultant damage, fracturing and dislocation within the community.

The current social contract of the digital era, has disabled the introduction of other mechanisms that might respond to recent issues of cultural violence in our community. We are introducing mana enhancing strategies for those who bear the brunt of such behaviour.

Tikanga reasserts the relational dimension to issues being raised around cultural and social identity. Tikanga draws on the whakapapa of cultural-political movement. Our customary system of values and practices have developed intergenerationally, and are deeply embedded in this social context.

In our new space, Artspace Aotearoa practice waerea at all of our exhibition openings. We will continue to do so mai rā ano, in perpetuity. This is a process of cultural progress without judgement. We address this tono to our communities who are invested in diversity, equity, and importantly, have a role to play in systemic change.

Haumi e, Hui e, Taiki e!

Desna Whaanga-Schollum
(Rongomaiwahine, Kahungunu, Pahauwera)
Kaihautū | Chairperson
Artspace Aotearoa Trust

[1] Mead, H.M, & Grove, N. Ngā Pēpeha a ngā Tīpuna. (2003).
‘A branchless tree may be climbed with a rope loop, but the ocean expanse can not be sailed.’ On the sea are found many adverse winds and currents, violent storms, impediments to navigation and hidden hazards, while the branchless tree offers no difficulties when one knows how to use the encircling rope. This means many problems are easy to solve if one understands the requirements, while others are very difficult. (Williams 1971:172, 472.)

[2] Artspace Aotearoa, Te Tuhi, Te Uru, Objectspace, St Paul St Gallery, and Gus Fisher Gallery, are collectively continuing our work towards cultural and social equity and commit to systemic change.

Download the Agenda here.

RSVP is essential
meijing@artspace.org.nz