Speakers and Events
The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht: Toi Whakaari Graduate Season
Christian Penny directs the 2009 graduation production at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School.
Brecht's epic drama is a moral road trip, a puzzle box of social dilemmas, the nature of justice and an insight into the glories and defects of human nature.
I Touched Sound: Sound Installation Series
Hearing is more than sound. It’s a neural tangle of the audible, the tangible, the kinetic, the visual, the remembered, the imagined and more.
I Touched Sound, a series of sound-based installations by senior Sonic Arts students from the New Zealand School of Music, is the outcome of the experiential nodes formed by plugging sound into a network of other data and feeding the output back in/to the listener. The series features installations that colour and condition existing spaces within the Old Museum building, suggesting new levels of aural architecture, as well installations that create their own space, interactively drawing audiences into natural and technologically-mediated sound worlds.
For new perspectives in an old space, let your eyes be led by your ears.
Massey Shorts: Short Films & Theatre Works
A short programme of short films and short theatre works from Massey artists. These exciting and provocative new works combine to provide a unique offering of ‘bite-sized’ entertainment. The short form has become extremely popular in recent years, showing glimpses of life that are often intense and epic.
‘Short Shorts’, the programme, challenges the conventions of traditional forms but the works are extremely entertaining and thought-provoking. They have been warmly received by audiences in the Manawatu and showcase the very best of theatre and film from staff and student artists. The plays are provocative and highly entertaining. They are likely to have a strong appeal to students as they are performed by a relatively young cast but their humour is very broad and would be appropriate for audiences of all ages.
Unexpected Motion: Short Film and Video Works
A lunchtime showcase of short films and videos produced by staff from Massey University's Department of Communication, Journalism and Marketing. The programme includes thought-provoking documentaries and the visual and musical whimsy of experimental films and animations. Perfect for those who are looking for a short break from a busy day!
Programme:
Woken Bird III; Filmed and Edited by Thomas Owen. Sounds and images from a night of music, art, food and community at the Newtown Community & Cultural Centre, November 2008; featuring performances by Hinemoana Baker, Christine White, Jess Chambers, Justin Firefly, and open mic guests.
The Whirling Man (2000); By James Hollings, Gretchen Mornin, Andy Mortimer and Tony Sutorius.
The story of Arnold Brooker, a Wellington man who was wrongly incarcerated in a psychiatric asylum in the 1940s. On his release, he began a campaign for a spiritual revival and psychiatric reform in New Zealand. With his zany colourful costumes and the cheeky humour he used to agitate for his cause, Arnold was a well-known and loved figure, eventually honoured with a Parliamentary reception. The Whirling Man was selected for the 2000 Wellington International Film Festival.
Hammond’s Arcana, or The Paradise of Birds (2007); Written and Directed by Struan Ashby & Roy Parkhurst; Soundtrack composed by Judith Bernanke.
A satire on identity and postcolonial New Zealand’s obsession with birds, this film is a glimpse into the strange world of The Book of Hammond, the Reverend W. D. Hammond’s heretical but visionary prophecy. It recounts the three sections of the book in illustrated form. The film was chosen to screen at the 2008 Mendocino Film Festival and received a gold medal at the 2009 Park City Film Music Festival for Best Impact of Music in a Short Film.
The Trimorphic Hypotheses (2008); Written and Directed by Struan Ashby & Roy Parkhurst; Sound design by Judith Bernanke.
A nostalgic parody of B-movie sci-fi films of the 1960s, this film traces the mysterious activities of a scientist exploring his environment and eventually succumbing to the limits of empirical research.
Dreaming on black paper (2008); Hand-drawn additive animation by Mark Antony Smith. "It's 3am... go... to... bed..."
Doo Doo (2008); By Mark Antony Smith. Animated music video for the band The Livids.
Skin Experiment 01 (2009); Additive paint animation by Mark Antony Smith.
ZooMall - Hyper-Monkey (2003); By Mark Antony Smith.
Episode three of the ZooMall children's cartoon series.
Dance / Objectif: Showcasing Dance Photography
In optics an objective is the lens that focuses rays from an object and forms them into images on a focal plane. ‘Dance/objectif’ is a unique collaboration between final year Photography Students from Massey University and Dance Performance students from the New Zealand School of Dance.
‘Dance/objectif’ showcases outstanding examples of dance photography; capturing the passion and precision that embodies both disciplines and a must see for all.
This exhibition coincides with the annual New Zealand School of Dance Graduation Season – a selection of classical and contemporary dance works performed by NZSD students at Te Whaea Theatre. It also runs parallel with 'Exposure', the exhibition of graduand work from the College of Creative Arts at Massey.
Photo credit: David Seumanutafa
The Colin Hemmingsen Quartet: A celebration of Italian Jazz
“A Celebration of Italian Jazz”
This concert by the Colin Hemmingsen Quartet features the music of two Italian composers:
Enrico Pieranunzi has long been one of the best-known and appreciated personalities on the world jazz scene. Pianist, composer, arranger, he has recorded more than 70 CDs under his own name, ranging from solo piano to trio, and from duet to quintet. He has played in concert and in the studio with Chet Baker, Lee Konitz, Chris Potter, Paul Motian and Charlie Haden.
Rosario Giuliani is one of Europe’s most respected musicians and widely considered among Italy’s best. Giuliani has won numerous European awards and honours, and has performed with top names like Kenny Wheeler, Randy Brecker, Phil Woods, Cedar Walton and countless others, as well as many of Italy’s finest jazz artists.
The “Colin Hemmingsen Quartet” Colin Hemmingsen is a senior lecturer and programme leader in Jazz Improvisation at the New Zealand School of Music. The other members of the group are graduates from the school and are all top professional musicians performing and teaching in Wellington. Colin Hemmingsen-Saxophone Ben Wilcock-Piano Reuben Bradley-Drums Alistair Isdale- Bass
New Music, Old Noise: Sonic Arts Concert
“I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones” – John Cage
Approaching the centenary of Luigi Russolo’s Futurist manifesto The Art of Noises (1913) it seems that little has changed. The world is noisier than ever, but music still refuses to listen. For those who choose to listen, we offer this programme of sound-based work by senior Sonic Arts students from the New Zealand School of Music. The concert showcases a diverse range of practices, including phonography, fixed media works for multichannel and ambisonic audio environments, live and interactive electronics, and mixed media pieces for acoustic instruments and electronics.
NZ School of Dance Graduation Season 09
The New Zealand School of Dance Graduation Season 09 promises to be a sleek, polished and exciting performance of classical ballet and contemporary dance.
Full of energy and fizz, the production features dynamic contemporary works including the emotionally compelling X300 by Frances Rings (Bangarra Dance Company), plus fresh new works by New Zealand choreographers Taiaroa Royal and Taane Mete (Okareka Dance Company) and Cathy Livermore (Atamira Dance Collective).Virtuosic gems from the classical ballet repertoire include the charming Pas de Quartre and the vivacious Paquita pas de trois.
In a major coup, the New Zealand School of Dance is also presenting Paul Taylor’s lyrical and uplifting work, Airs. Paul Taylor is frequently called the “world’s greatest living choreographer” and Airs is a cornerstone of twentieth century dance. It is performed to George Frideric Handel’s exquisite music. The Graduation Season is adored by audiences and critics alike and heralded for its strong selection of works and brilliant performances by some of the finest young dancers in New Zealand.
Photo: Stephen A'Court. NZSD students Robbie Curtis and Lucy Marinkovich.