News: Vā Moana at Global Asia/Pacific Art Exchange (GAX) 2020

Vā Moana / Pacific Spaces were delighted to collaborate with the Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU and the School of Art and Design at the Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau (AUT University) to virtually host this year’s Global Asia/Pacific Art Exchange (GAX) 2020 titled Ngā Tai o te Ao: Global Tides.

The session was convened by Alexandra Chang, Janine Randerson, and Albert Refiti, with support from Natalie Robertson, Charlotte Huddleston (ST PAUL St Gallery), and Nova Paul. Over the two days artists, performers, and scholars shared the shores of Aotearoa. The intertidal zone is a place of resistance in colonial encounter, a contested place on these islands, yet it is also a place rich with biotic life and possibility. The gathering asked how can we bring a sense of place to an online exchange, that wells from our underground springs beneath AUT University Ngā Wai o Horotiu marae in central Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland); the place where we would physically gather if not for the far-reaching health crisis which we all hold in common?

On the first day, the Vā Moana Research Cluster led by Albert Refiti and School of Art and Design at AUT University hosted a talanoa which included a panel with Vā Moana researchers Layne Waerea and Tuputau Lelaulu with writer-respondent Lana Lopesi. There were also artist dialogues with between Nova Paul and Natalie Robertson with curator Maree Mills; Xin Cheng and Kerry-Ann Lee with Anna Kazumi Stahl; Jane Chang Mi with Cameron Ah Loo-Matamua and Sia Figiel; Arielle Walker and Emily Parr with Faith Wilson; a movement interlude by Jack Gray of Atamira Dance Company and the day finished with a spoken word performance by Rosanna Raymond.

It was a great couple of days and Vā Moana looks forward to participating in more GAX events to come.