What has your experience been like as the Artistic Director / Guest Curator for Tempo Dance Festival 2024?
This experience has been a profound joy. It’s truly an honour to serve our vibrant dance community and collaborate with our talented artists. Together, we are weaving a rich tapestry of creativity that inspires growth and connection guided by the theme of this year’s festival, ‘Whenua Wāhi’.
What have been some of your highlights so far this year?
Collaborating with the remarkable collective of organisations that make up Tempo this year has been a true highlight of my journey! I’ve felt the spark of camaraderie and teamwork whilst we’ve breathed new life into the dance space.
Why do you think it’s important to have events like Tempo on the dance calendar?
Events like Tempo open the floor for voices to rise, allowing deep listening to flourish. Our arts scene here in Aotearoa thrives on these opportunities that invite us to ask essential questions about ourselves. They create moments to connect and come together and in this beautiful tapestry of connection, we are treated to extraordinary performances, an added joy that highlights the power of artistic expression. It’s a celebration of creativity that reminds us of the magic that unfolds when we come together.
We can't wait for the festival to kick off, what will the opening night entail?
Our festival's opening holds profound significance. It's a moment to honour our community and audiences through a haka pōwhiri, weaving a tapestry of collective energy for the myriad offerings ahead. It is essential to hear the voices of mana whenua, who generously share their ancestral land with us here in Tāmaki Makaurau.
The opening evening promises to be a powerful convergence of cultures, artistic genres, and world-class performances - a celebration that transcends boundaries and invites us all to dance together in harmony.
You also work with the New Zealand Dance Company, who are presenting RUA as part of the festival. What can we expect from this work?
Our work RUA will unveil two beautiful pieces crafted by two of New Zealand’s most extraordinary choreographers. The word rua, while often recognised as the number two in te reo Māori, carries deeper significance – it evokes the image of a quiet space, a sacred pit where kumara are stored, nurturing the future of the iwi.
Image: RUA
Can you tell us a little more about the two pieces in RUA and their choreographers?
In Transit is a deeply personal work by my talented colleague Louise Pōtiki Bryant (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha), crafted in collaboration with AV designer/composer Paddy Free (Pitch Black). Since its premiere with NZDC in 2015, this piece has moved me, as it beautifully explores Māori cultural memories and rituals through a stunning blend of visuals and sound. It invites audiences into a rich tapestry of heritage and identity that resonates with audiences all the way from Paris to Nelson.
Matter by the incredible Ross McCormack first premiered at Q Theatre in 2016. Ross’s exploration of human obsession with order unfolds in a surreal, dystopian landscape filled with striking spear-like plinths. With an electric soundscape by Jason Wright and lighting by Jo Kilgour, Matter dives into the themes of purpose and the psychological weight of everyday objects.
Both Louise and Ross are exceptional artists whose brilliance shines strong in this programme.
Both of the pieces in RUA are much-loved and may be familiar to dance audiences. What can we expect from the remount?
RUA draws inspiration from the original premieres of these works, reinvigorating them with a vibrant spirit of connection that bridges the past and present. In 2024, RUA will infuse these sublime masterful choreographies with fresh energy, showcasing the incredible artistry of the dancers, as they breathe life into these timeless pieces.
Together, we will celebrate the beauty of dance in the here and now, creating a resonant dialogue between history and innovation.
Tempo Dance Festival - Te Rerenga o Tere 2024 is on from 10 - 20 October. Click here to learn more about the festival and the line-up of shows.
