“3-orange waharua a” is an earlier work by Kura Puke, who will present “Ka Wa Ka Wa” at 3rd nature. “Ka Wa Ka Wa” will be made for the exhibition.

The words on each of the exhibitor pages, will change as further discussion takes place and a greater awareness of the works results. We began by examining the works from the point of view of how some of them interconnect with each other in terms of content. This was so we could form a rationale of where in the collection might be a good position for the work.

Interconnections

The work of Kura Puke interconnects electronics through programming LED’s, and traditional Maori approaches to Toi (art), referencing tukutuku panels and other forms. “Ka Wa Ka Wa” is a reference to the native Kawakawa tree, and this is one connecting point to several works engaging with plants: the “Brickets” of Damian Stewart and Pierre Proske are located in trees, while Nigel Helyer’s work is located in Pukekura Park, as is Darko Fritz’s.

Another interconnective point is that the LED’s point to stars, and these are referenced in the works by Te Huirangi Waikerepuru and Nina Czegledy. Consequently this work by Kura Puke occupies a central interconnective point to the whole exhibition.

Left: “Medusae”, 2010 Crocheted silver wire. Right: “Lior,” 2010 Crocheted fishing line.

Introduction

The subtle forms of jellyfish are delicately caught in these works, as if they were floating in air. These works relate to the computational model of sharks by Mike Paulin, the floating cyanobacteria of Hideo Iwasaki and the reference to animals in Janet Laurence’s work. Lighting is also a key factor.

One other reason for the inclusion of the Medusae was to reinforce a sense of multiple scales in the exhibition. In scaling terms, smallest are the bacteria by Hideo Iwasaki and the electronics of Pierre Proske and Damian Stewart, then there are these jellyfish by Pincus, the objects selected by Janet Laurence, up to the human scale of the Josh Wodak works and Mike Paulin’s shark. The landscape is referenced in the works by Tracey Benson, Darko Fritz, Nigel Helyer and Trudy Lane. Kura Puke’s LED works point to the stars, as does the galactic wind work by Nina Czegledy and collaborators, and finally “Te Taiao Maori (the Maori universe)” by Te Huirangi Waikerepuru has vast scales of space and time.

The chart of “Te Taiao Maori”, made for exhibition in Istanbul is in this version shown in Rio de Janeiro, animated with the star imagery of Paul Moss in the background.

Introduction

At Intercreate we are privileged to work with Dr Te Huirangi Waikerepuru. Dr Waikerepuru was been instrumental in getting Maori language – Te Reo – recognised, played a leading role in submissions on the radio spectrum (which led to Maori radio and Maori television) and currently is being pivotal in sharing knowledge among the world’s community. This is particularly important at this time, because many believe that listening to the indigenous voice on the subject of environment is central to resolving issues of climate change.

The animated version of Te Taiao Maori shares some of the traditional knowledge of Maori.