maramataka works
2021-2022
tōu tauira me tōu kaiako hoki was made during the lunar cycle Haratua, leading up to Matariki. Beginning with the new moon, the Emily Parr and Arielle Walker exchanged videos and text on alternating days. This work was made for Whānau Mārama (2021), a Matariki project by Jade Townsend. Jade also gifted the work’s name.
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Emily Parr & Arielle Walker, ngā rerenga whau (mahuru), (December 2021). Digital video, 24m 55s; ngā rerenga whau (whiringa-ā-nuku), (December 2021). Digital video, 19m 26s.
The film-works in ngā rerenga whau follow two lunar cycles in the Maramataka: Mahuru and Whiringa-ā-Nuku. Beginning with the new moons on September and October 7th, Emily and Arielle exchange a video ‘letter’ on alternating days. Just as the lunar cycle begins in darkness, the exchanges begin without an illuminated pathway; without an expected outcome. As they pass the threads of conversation back and forth, like weaving tukutuku, patterns of spring growth and cyclical processes begin to emerge. The works observe time passing through these rotating cycles and keep two friends connected during rāhui. The seeds sown for journeys imagined over the rāhui continue to bloom in plants gathered from around the Whau during the exhibition, preparing for future dyeing of muka as the seasonal cycles shift again. This muka, extracted from harakeke over many months, will in time be woven into new forms.
Mahuru and Whiringa-ā-Nuku were made for ngā rerenga whau, an exhibition at Kū Kahiko curated by Andrea Low and with the support of Moana Fresh.
watch mahuru
watch whiringa-ā-nuku
Emily Parr & Arielle Walker, haratua (June 2022). Digital video, 28m 52s.
Beginning with the new moon of Haratua, the artists exchanged videos and text on alternating days. This work was made for Whānau Mārama (2022), a Matariki project by Jade Townsend.