Maori Dance Company carve a moving portrait

2nd Jul 2007

Following the 2006 success of Memoirs of Active Service, New Zealand’s leading Maori contemporary dance company, Atamira Dance Collective, returns to the stage on September 28 to premiere Whakairo. This highly anticipated new dance work by choreographer Moss Paterson is joined for this limited season by the short work Symbole et Realitie from guest New Caledonian choreographer Richard Digoue.

“Atamira Dance Collective goes from strength to strength and is now the hotspot of contemporary dance in Auckland” - New Zealand Herald, 2006

The Maori art of carving or Whakairo is the inspiration for this full length dance work which takes the audience on a journey of power, innocence, control, discovery and culture. Using carving as an analogy for life Whakairo explores the changing identity of contemporary Maori. In the same way as a carver approaches a block of wood, people carve out their own lives and with it their place in society. Using carving as an analogy for life Whakairo reveals hidden hurts, unexpected discoveries and the struggle of the individual to make their mark in the modern world.

In addition to its ability to make a powerful comment on history, tradition and cultural identity Whakairo will also embrace the aesthetic of Maori design and contemporary directions in the art of carving.

Choreographer, Moss Paterson and his talented ensemble of seven dancers carry these strong themes and striking images into the realm of live performance for Whakairo whose high production values and artistic excellence includes a set designed by one of NZ’s leading contemporary Maori artists.

The second short work in this season - Symbole et Realitie acknowledges the fusion of indigenous pacific cultures and the oceans that link these cultures to each other. This work is the culmination of the cultural exchange between New Caledonian choreographer Richard Digoue and Atamira as part of the New Caledonia New Zealand Season 2007.

Founded in 2000, Atamira Dance Collective have presented work to critical acclaim including 'Ngai Tahu 32'(Best Contemporary Dance Production 2004, NZ Listener), 'Te Aroha me te Mamae' and 'Whare tangata' by Louise Potiki Bryant (Best new choreographer 2003, NZ Listener), 'Te Paki' by Moss Patterson, and 'Hail' by Jack Grey.

WHAKAIRO plays as part of the 2007 tempo – NZ Festival of Dance.

Choreography Moss Patterson,
Guest choreography Richard Digoue from New Caledonia.
Dancers: Jack Gray, Cathy Livermore, Kelly Nash, Maaka Pepene, Louise Potiki Bryant, Peter Takapuna, Dolina Wehipeihana, Tamati Patuwai and Gaby Thomas

SEASON DETAILS
Concert Chamber, Town Hall at the Edge
Friday 28 September – Monday 1 October 8pm, Matinee Saturday 29 September 2pm
TICKETS: $18 - $30 service fees apply
Tickets on Sale 10 August
Bookings at www.ticketek.co.nz ph 09 3075000

For more information contact publicists:
Michelle Lafferty or Jo Lee Kelly
by email, or phone +64 9 3684180