Entangled Islands

Overview

Entangled Islands is Auckland Museum’s latest venture. The exhibit is the debut chapter in what will become a series focussed on the New Zealand war experience, kicking off from this time last century. On August 29th 1914, under a month after the war began, the New Zealand Army invaded Samoa and began their slow and steady hijack of the nation, forcing control from the Germans, who initially claimed the island. New Zealand ruled Samoa up until its independence in 1962, but the impact of the initial seizure and subsequent control continues to echo between the countries to this day. These echoes are heard in Auckland Museum’s Entangled Islands.

One part of the exhibit’s initial chapter, is an article based on an interview between Albrecht Stunzer and Tony Brunt. The acclaimed Auckland writer and researcher, Brunt, specialises in German Samoa and how it has been depicted through photography and art. He interviews Stunzer who is the grandson of Friedrich Stunzer, a German resident of Samoa since 1896.

The second part of the chapter is a 125 year old chart. Sounds dry, until you realise that the map of the Samoan Islands dates back to 1889, which has largely been untouched by any human hands. Restored by Paul Taylor, the map was initially yellowing and brittle, but still readable. After a long restoration process, the map was photographed and then a digital image was created based on the image, that can be seen on the online catalogue.