Interactive Event Series Satellites Has Announced Its 2019 Program

Following the huge K-Pop dance party held at Auckland Town Hall earlier this month, Satellites has announced its 2019 program of events and experiences.

The Satellites initiative is a series of public events and encounters showcasing contemporary Asian artists. Building on the success of their program last year, where two works were re-commissioned for appearance at Te Papa, participants in 2019 will sneak onto a Kollywood film shoot, share a Filipino breakfast and peer into a gigantic crystal ball.

Making its return in 2019 is The Mood Machine. Curated by Emma Ng and Hera Lindsay Bird, and featuring work by some of the most exciting young artists and writers in Aotearoa, the machine listens to the way you're feeling before diagnosing a piece of art and some writing to match. Prepare to discover new worlds, gravity-bending perspectives, and fierce heartbeats that echo long after you've left. The Mood Machine features work by Xun Cao, Vanessa Crofskey, Robbie Handcock, Ana Iti, Gregory Kan, Sharon Lam, Eamonn Marra, Elisabeth Pointon, Stacey Teague, Sam Thomas, Tayi Tibble, Serene Timoteo, Jade Townsend, Chris Tse and Faith Wilson. The free event will held from 5–24 March, during Q Theatre opening hours only.

Kollywood Extra is an immersive fake film shoot experience, inviting guests to take part in the next big Kollywood blockbuster. Created by director Ahi Karunaharan, the live art installation is an interactive homage to South Indian cinema. On Saturday, 4 May at Sandringham Reserve, you'll be invited to sneak into a film shoot and immerse yourself in an imaginary blockbuster-in-the-making: learn a dance move, watch a performance, or have your headshot taken and be discovered by one of our talent scouts.

On Saturday, 25 May the third instalment of Satellites' pop-up breakfast series will invite diners to sample a traditional Filipino breakfast, showcasing the culinary talents of Nanam's Jess Granada and The Cult Project's Carlo Buenaventura, with original artwork by illustrator Marc Conaco. Featuring sikwate, pan de siosa and kape at sinangag, the heart of this event is a suite of intimate stories told live by each artist, sharing the relationship they have to the dishes being served. Tickets are $25.

The Crystal Ball is a large-scale installation that turns an empty building into a giant crystal ball. Created by experiential artist Lakshman Anandanayagam and sonic and visual artist Suren Unka, the free event will be held in June at a yet-to-be-disclosed location.

Rounding off the series will be a K-Pop dance series for children.

Director Rosabel Tan says, "Satellites is about championing the incredible Asian artists who make up this city. It's about giving those artists both the permission and the support to turn the volume up on what feels possible. It's about weaving our faces and voices into the fabric of our communities, and it's about creating joyful encounters with art in public spaces."

For the full Satellites lineup and more information, visit satellites.co.nz.