Pōhutu

Pōhutu is a new full length multi-disciplinary dance work created by choreographer Bianca Hyslop and multi award-winning performance designer Rowan Pierce, two artists at the forefront of their practices here in Aotearoa. The result of their collaboration is a rich synthesis of image, object, movement, and sound where the past, present and future abruptly intersect.

The wider creative team behind Pōhutu establishes new collaborative connections between Bianca Hyslop, Rowan Pierce, Rosie Tapsell, Tui Matira Ranapiri-Ransfield and Emma Ransley.

Bianca’s grandmother Ramari Rangiwhiua Morrison was born in Te Whakarewarewatanga-o-te-ope-tauā-a-Wahiao, Rotorua. Whakarewarewa is situated on a double fault line and is home to Pōhutu; the Southern Hemisphere’s largest active geyser. It is a place of tremendous power where the natural geothermal landscape is forever re-shaping itself.

At the age of 88, Bianca’s grandmother now has Alzheimers. Pōhutu draws parallels between her shapeshifting mind and the restless landscape of Whakarewarewa; the whenua she was born from and will return to. The work manifests connection to memory, time, place and loss.

Made from the echoes of lived experiences, of multi-layered realities and of re-imaginings, this three night season of Pōhutu will be a world premiere not to be missed!