Above the foyer to our biggest performance space hangs an eye-catching art installation named Rangimarie - Last Dance by Lisa Reihana. If you've ever been to a show in our largest performance space, Rangatira, you've likely walked beneath Rangimarie - Last Dance. Perhaps you’ve even stood beneath it watching the mirror, catching light reflecting from the hanging beads, and wondered, what does this mean?
While we cannot speak to the meaning as well as its creator, Lisa Reihana, we can attempt to share some of its significance to us here at Q. The piece represents the story of renowned 17th-century dancer and choreographer Rangimarie of the Kaipara and Tamaki Region. The red diamond in the centre of the piece represents Rangimarie weaving together the black pyramids that represent Kaipara and Tamaki iwi.
A more detailed version of the kōrero can be found on the plaque to the right of the piece where you'll read about how the piece represents the transformational power of the arts and its reach beyond entertainment alone. It also represents our respect and acknowledgement of our tipuna Māori who lived along te Waihorotiu which our building now sits upon. Like a river winding between communities, art can serve as a binding element of culture that connects people through the power of storytelling.
Q Theatre is not a solitary art space, we rely on a wider ecosystem of art spaces that are bound by the artists that perform between them like Rangimarie connecting disparate iwi. Almost all the artist that make it to our spaces, have found their start elsewhere and many go on to larger venues or even overseas further connecting their stories to our country and the world.
Next time you're at Q, we suggest you take a moment to stand underneath Rangimarie and think about the journey you took to get to Q and the reasons you were drawn here. Perhaps you’ll be able to go home feeling a little more connected to your community, culture or even, yourself.
To read more about our Lounge space, click here.
