Dialogue Before Sunset

HT embarked on a journey from China to Aotearoa. She and her friends busked along the harbour here until one day she heard Taniwha (water spirit) whispering and felt the legends guiding her steps. They responded with sounds and ritualised acts, with a piece of birch bark that has travelled across Pacific Ocean. This dialogue, starting along the old shoreline of Te Whanganui-a-Tara before sunset, is where the essence of spatio-temporal beings will be elongated and a photographer's freeze shoots will capture some scenes of the journey.

Dialogue Before Sunset will showcase a sequence of site-specific performances that pays homage to the pūrākau, Ngake and Whātaitai, the taniwha who resided in the now Wellington Harbour and occupy an important presence in the collective reimagination of Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Performers will use birch bark pieces as spiritual creatures from Evenki tribe in China, and sounds and objects found from the shoreline and captured by the cameras and speakers. Together, these elements co-create a space for tī kōuka (cabbage tree), tūī, and various beings living around the ocean, Waimapihi stream, and Waitangi stream.

Temporary Show emerged out of streets and roof gardens of Shanghai in 2018 and journeyed to Te Whanganui-a-Tara in 2022. This experience in Fringe 2024 is led by artist and researcher HT (Shannon Xiao), together with filmmaker Lu Pang and many open members, with support from Wellington City Council, indigenous & non-indigenous experts from Victoria University of Wellington, and mana whenua. They have contributed to art festival/events in Shanghai, Chengdu, and Wellington.

Gather at the main entrance of Wellington Museum, and let’s walk to Waitangi Park together at 7:30 pm on February 24! The event is supported by Wellington City Council's Public Art Fund - all are welcome to join our co-creating act!

Please note that the event is weather-dependent. Back-up Rain day Feb 26th. Contact:@htcz.bartendess

Details: Dialogue Before Sunset – Temporary Show 临时演出 (wordpress.com)