Thursday, 3 November 2011

Blog Eleven - Mangere Arts Centre - Nga Tohu o Uenuku

BLOG 11 - Mangere Arts Centre - Nga Tohu o Uenuku   
Image Source: http://www.dulux.co.nz/specifier/colour/colour-awards-finalists/mangere-arts-centre
What is your impression of the arts centre as you approach the entrance? Does the design reflect a particular culture or community? Provide specific examples.
The centre reflects Pacific cultures in general. The upside waka which forms the entrance canopy and the ceiling in the foyer is a motif used in a lot of Pacific architecture (e.g Otara town centre). The outside courtyard has stakes around it that reminds me of the Maori garden in the Hamilton Gardens – Te Parapara. 
 
Image http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/ParksLeisureCulture/
Arts/artscentretheatresgalleries/Pages/mangereartscentre.aspx
There are a lot of diagonal lines used in the design in the interior for example in the worked concrete of the exterior of the theatre, they remind me of the diagonal patterns in tapa cloth and in weaving.
There is also a lot of colour used in the bright external panels. As explained on the Dulux website, the architects who designed the building used Maori and Pacific Island mythology to inform their colour choices. The bright coloured batons on the outside wall were inspired by Uenuku, the God of creativity (whose manifestation is the rainbow). The water bubbles on the external wall represent puna wai or a spring of naturally flowing water from the depths of mother earth.
Designer/Architects: Harry Street of Creative Spaces
Date Opened: 3rd September 2010
Who do you think this particular space is intended for?
As expressed in its mission statement first and foremost the building is intended for the citizens of Mangere.
What is the intended use of this building?
The building is intended as a centre for the performing and visual arts. It houses a performing arts space, a gallery space, studio space, a shop and many offices, dressing rooms, a community kitchen, an outdoor courtyard and space for a café in the future.
The Exhibition
What is the whakatauaki associated with this exhibition?
Kia tupu, kia hua, kia puawai
What is the English translation?
To grow, to prosper, to sustain
Who is Te Puea Herangi, and why would Tainui have been involved in providing this particular taonga?
The proverb is from Te Puea Herangi, who was a respected Maori leader from the Waikato. Tainui were involved in providing this quote because she is one of their ancestors. The quote was considered appropriate by Tainiu because of the difficult times we live in from an economic and environmental point of view.
Choose 1 work to discuss in the following response.
Title: Inextricable Links
Artist/Designers: Elke Finkenauer
Date: 2011
How do you see the above whakatauaki discussed above embedded in this particular object?
The title of the piece conveys the idea of being bound together in a permanent and complicated way. The forms in the piece are circles that are linked together in a web. They possibly represent people in abstracted form. There is a strong sense of upward movement in the piece from lots of vertical lines but there are also some horizontal linkages.
The materials used to make this artwork are handcut pvc and pencil, however the completed object looks as though it is made form more precious materials. It has a metallic silver/gold shine reflecting the precious nature of the subject matter, which I think is the community of human beings and other living things.
The piece represents the web that binds people (and possibly other forms of life) together and helps them be strong. It shows the interdependence of people and the possibility for growth, upward movement and prosperity if the web is strong. This is the link to the whakatauaki.
Works Cited
Dulux
http://www.dulux.co.nz/specifier/colour/colour-awards-finalists/mangere-arts-centre Web 1st November 2011
NZ history
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/people/te-kirihaehae-te-puea-herangi Web
1st November 2011

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