Media Release
5 May 2010
Talanoa: Walk the Talk VII
Talanoa: Walk the Talk is an inspiring cultural arts project taking place in Melbourne from May to June, 2010. Commissioned by Multicultural Arts Victoria, internationally renowned Japanese/ Samoan artist Shigeyuki Kihara will apply the ancient Samoan concept of talanoa – a practice of talking through matters of cultural and social importance with two very different cultural groups during her two month residency in Melbourne. Working with the Dambai Dancing Sudan Group and Te Roro n Rikirake Kiribati Youth Group, Shigeyuki Kihara will facilitate a new dialogue between two of Melbourne’s newest communities. Key events include a Reconciliation Week performance at the NGV on Sunday 30 May, an NGV Culture Court talk on Monday 31 May, a free Talanoa Performance at the Emerge Festival on Sunday 20 June, and a Talanoa Forum on Art, Community and Social Function at Federation Hall on Tuesday 22 June. All events are free entry and open to the public. For more information visit www.multiculturalarts.com.au
Culture Court Public Performance at the NGV:
An exploration of the intersection between Art, Culture and Commerce. For this performance Kihara collaborates with some of the communities supported by Multicultural Arts Victoria. Sunday 30 May 2010 (Reconciliation Week), 3pm @ NGV International 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne – FREE
NGV Talks with Shigeyuki Kihara:
Shigeyuki Kihara discusses the issues raised in Culture Court
Monday 31 May 2010 (Reconciliation Week), 11am @ The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Federation Square corner Russell and Flinders Streets, Melbourne – FREE
Talanoa Performance: Sunday 20 June 2pm FREE @ Emerge Festival Main Event:
With Dambai Dancing Group of Sudan, Te Roro n Rikirake Kiribati Youth Group, Shigeyuki Kihara.
Talanoa Forum: Art, Community and Social Function, Tuesday 22 June 2010 3-6pm FREE @ Federation Hall VCAM, Grant Street, Southbank:
A forum on creating art that activates and serves a social function with reflection on the Talanoa: Walk the Talk VII experience. With Sudanese and Kiribati community leaders, Shigeyuki Kihara and guest speakers. Performances by Dambai Dance Group and Te Roro n Rikirake Kiribati Dance Group.
Shigeyuki Kihara is an internationally acclaimed inter-disciplinary artist based in New Zealand. Kihara’s work is based on an investigative research relating to the Indigenous cultures of the Pacific, and more specifically to Samoan culture, history and spirituality. Kihara’s practise explores the intersection between Art, Performance and Theatre. Kihara represented New Zealand at the fourth Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art in Brisbane and is currently represented in the fourth Auckland Triennial, New Zealand. Kihara’s first solo museum exhibition in North America entitled ‘Shigeyuki Kihara: Living Photographs’ was recently presented at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York in 2008 following the acquisition of her work by the museum.
‘When people walk away from the performance I hope they look at and experience things in a different way and are inspired to talanoa with someone outside’. – Shigeyuki Kihara
Produced and presented by: Multicultural Arts Victoria
Principal Sponsor: Festivals Australia
Partners and Supporters: National Gallery of Victoria, The Wilin Centre – Faculty of the VCA and Music- The University of Melbourne, The Substation, Hobsons Bay City Council, AAAPS, Merethan Vision, New-Zealand Maori Polynesian Welfare Support Group Inc.
