Overview
Art, science and cultural knowledge intersect in a cohesive analysis of nature and humanity for A Delicate Balance (Rongo Taketake a Tane).
The exhibition is part of a curatorial endeavour called the Kauri Project, which addresses the social, cultural and historical value of kauri in the face of the threat posed by dieback disease. It seeks to examine the relationship between people and landscape, placing its main focus on our unique and threatened indigenous kauri forest. Delicate Balance brings together artists from across the North Island to explore how we 'listen' and speak back to this environment.
"Originally exhibited at the Govett-Brewster Gallery in New Plymouth over summer, the installation encourages viewers to consider ideas about the spiritual and physical nature of the land using diorama boxes surrounding a large tree construction."
Curated by Ariane Craig-Smith and Chris McBride and encompassing sound, performance, photography and sculptural installation the exhibition will feature work by A.D. Schierning and Clinton Watkins, Ava Seymour, Ian Clothier and Andrew Hornblow, Kauri Choir, sonicsfromscratch and Will Ngakuru.
Sounds a bit too hippie? Don't worry, it's only a little. "A Delicate Balance provokes discussion about preserving kauri in the face of disease in an accessible way that doesn't involve sleeping in a tree in protest. The overall interactive beauty of the exhibition provides a space to reflect and appreciate the kauri as a national treasure", according to its curator.