Copyright Mana Moana Collective
Pōneke 2022
Mana Moana is a series of short art films fusing poetry, dance, song, painting, digital sculpture, photography, animation, music, taonga pūoro, and sound design. It brings together Māori and Pacific visual artists, poets, musicians and choreographers from across Aotearoa to weave art and technology together. The result is a multimedia and video artworks series which speak to our relationships with water and the oceans and the need for collective action to ensure their survival. This is art activism. Art that will change and inspire.
Mana Moana Pōneke 2022 includes the Pacific Voices Series curated by special guest Dr. Karlo Ulu’ave’ Mila. These video artworks were created for presentation at COP26 (Glasgow, 2021) to support the collective voice of the Pacific Islands. Comissioned by Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) these films are a call for action on climate change, especially on how climate change is affecting lives in the Pacific Islands.
There are also a three original new video artworks (Samoa Speaks, Mayhem & Tai ao, Tai Pō) created by members of the Mana Moana Collective that premiered as part of Mana Moana Pōneke 2022.
Please see below for a full list of credits.
As we grapple with climate change, our futures will be linked in new ways. Water is connective tissue – the seas connect us all between the islands of the Pacific, Mana Moana projects its stories on these waters.
Co-curated by Rachael Rakena (Ngāi Tahu, Ngā Puhi) and Mike Bridgman (Tonga, Ngāti Pākeha). Produced by Storybox.
Thank you to our supporters – Creative New Zealand, Massey University’s Collage of Creative Arts, Wellington City Council.
Artwork List
Pe’e: Invocation to Tangaroa
Created as part of the Islands Speak series of gifted Pacific poets joined by indigenous artists to create a visual, moving, digitally enhanced offering in this curated series of ten video poems.Islands Speak is part of the wider project Mana Moana – Pacific Voices, a collection of emotive and artistic video works that have been created to amplify and support the Pacific to drive global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Praise Song For Oceania
This excerpt from the poem ‘Praise Song for Oceania’ by Chamorro poet Craig Santos Perez. It features visuals by Michael Bridgman and Rachel Rakena with music by Laughton Kora
Calling Tangaroa
‘Calling Tangaroa’ by Lisa Leilani Williams speaks directly to Tangaroa, great atua (god) of the ocean at this time of climate emergency. The film features animated artwork by Numangatini MacKenzie.
I Am Sieni
Samoan poet Faumuina Felonlini Maria Tafuna performs ‘I am Sieni’ from outside her suburban home in Christchurch. The piece features art by Cora-Allan Wickliffe, animated by Moretekorohunga Lloyd
Mauga
Created as part of the Islands Speak series of gifted Pacific poets joined by indigenous artists to create a visual, moving, digitally enhanced offering in this curated series of ten video poems.Islands Speak is part of the wider project Mana Moana – Pacific Voices, a collection of emotive and artistic video works that have been created to amplify and support the Pacific to drive global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Tau Tama Niue Ma Anoiha
With words from Nuien poet Zora Felola Osikai Feilo, this film features striking animated illustrations by Nuien Māori artist Cora-Allan Wickliffe
What Does Hineari See?
“Will the secrets in this land reveal the true meaning of the resilience of fresh water, regenerate faith in our ability to humble ourselves — not before nature — but as nature.” Aotearoa’s Raihania Tipoki challenges those who can affect change in his poem ‘What does Hineari see?’
Protect Pasifica
‘Protect Pasifica’ by Betty S Chapau appeals to the leading nations of the world to consider the plights of vulnerable smaller nations when policy making for issues of climate change. The film features animated artwork by Cora-Allan Wickliffe.
Rest Now, E Papatūānuku
Created as part of the Islands Speak series of gifted Pacific poets joined by indigenous artists to create a visual, moving, digitally enhanced offering in this curated series of ten video poems.Islands Speak is part of the wider project Mana Moana – Pacific Voices, a collection of emotive and artistic video works that have been created to amplify and support the Pacific to drive global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Water Remembers
‘Water Remembers’ features a poem by Brandy Nalani McDougall with visuals by Rachael Rakena. The images portray Rachael’s young son and his Tongan grandmother sitting and playing together in a dark pool of water to a soundtrack from Laughton Kora.
Samoa Ask
A climate activist and poet of Aotearoa, Aigagalefili Fepulea’i Tapua’i, brings to life her words of youthful wisdom and endearment to her family, that are weaved with honour, love, and respect through ‘Samoa Asks.
Mayhem
Mayhem was created with supprot from the Pōneke 2022 programme, where two new video artworks were created by the Mana Moana Collective, funded by Creative New Zealand.
Tai Ao, Tai Pō
Tai Ao, Tai Pō is a response from the Māori descendants of Pāparu, Nikuru, and Edward Welle to the Wellerman Shanty that went viral on TikTok in 2021.
Mana Moana Pōneke Curators
Special Curator
Poetry 2022
Dr Karlo Mila
Dr Karlo Mila (Tongan / Pākehā) is an award-winning poet, mother, writer, activist and researcher.
She is the Programme Director of the Mana Moana Experience at Leadership New Zealand. The kaupapa of this programme is to vitalise and prioritise Pacifika ancestral knowledge in contemporary contexts.
Karlo lives in Tāmaki Makaurau with her three sons. Her third poetry book, “Goddess Muscle” will be launched this year by Huia Publishers.
Director
Mana Moana Curator
Rachael Rakena
Rachael Rakena (Ngāi Tahu, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Pākehā) coined the term ‘Toi Rerehiko’ to describe and locate her own video/ digital/ electronic-based art practice in terms of continuum, motion, and collaboration. Exhibiting internationally for 20 years and lecturing for 25 years she is an Associate Professor at Whiti o Rehua School of Art, Massey University.
Director
Mana Moana Curator
Michael Bridgman
Mike Bridgman (Tonga, Ngāti Pākeha) is a multi-interdisciplinary digital artist and has been working within the digital realm for over 20 years across many different industries including film, theatre, television, print, web, video games, music videos, public installations.
Mike is a lead arts coordinator and technician at Whiti o Rehua School of Art, Massey University.