Two Major Multi-Media Water Shows in Masterton

Two major multi-media exhibitions addressing current water crises in New Zealand will fill most of Aratoi museum in April and May: WAI – Manga Maha, Awa Kotahi | One River, Many Streams and He Manawa Whenua: He Puna Wai WATER\WAY Thirteen contemporary artists explore the rivers and lakes of Aotearoa.

The large-scale environmental exhibition WAI - Manga Maha, Awa Kotahi l One River, Many Streams seeks to reconnect the Wairarapa community with its waterways and wetlands and to advocate for the rivers of our region: more than 80 hand-sculpted ceramic eels ‘swim’ along a 5m-long stream in the gallery and then negotiate a wall; more than 400 botanical specimens and items found along Makoura Stream form a stunning installation; a meditative video of a river; a soundscape that includes recordings from Antarctica and Kahungunu philosophy; eight large-scale photograms of South Island glaciers; and a design inspired by manhole covers.

Do you know the names of Masterton’s rivers and streams? Do you know the location of Masterton’s first foundry making manhole covers for the Council? Do you know when the region’s first water treatment facility was built? WAI also presents this historical information, including a huge wall map of Masterton’s 14 streams and 3 rivers; notes on water treatment, including the 1901 plant built at Nursery Road; and background to J.C. Ewington, the foundry once at the corner of King and Queen streets, Masterton, a block away from what is now Aratoi.

The multi-media exhibition WAI opens at Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, 12 Bruce Street, Masterton, on Friday 29th March at 5.30 pm (all welcome). Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson will officiate. Aratoi also hosts a free public talk by WAI artists on 30th March at 11am. The exhibition continues until 26th May.

The multi-media show He Manawa Whenua: He Puna Wai WATER \ WAY - 13 NZ Contemporary Artists explore the rivers and lakes of Aotearoa, curated by Bruce Foster and Gregory O’Brien, considers the cultural, conceptual and imaginative qualities of our natural water resources and their crucial role in the well-being of our communities. (Dates: 13th Apr to 4th Aug)

Aratoi invites the public to two free events on 26th May with O’Brien, Foster and several WATER\WAY artists from 10.30am; and the Arts + Climate Innovation Roadshow sponsored by Track Zero, 2-4pm, with Prof James Renwick, Dr Mike Joy, Sarah Meads, Sam Ludden, Rawiri Smith, Jade Waetford and Gareth Winter. Free tickets: Eventbrite.

Masterton-based artist Sam Ludden, who spearheaded the WAI exhibition, says “WAI is inspired by the love of rivers and the creatures that live in them, and by the people and the politics of and around our waterways.”

“Water is a crucial issue of our times,” says Aratoi Director Susanna Shadbolt, “and Aratoi salutes these local and international artists who are working to address the challenges creatively. Alongside WAI and WATER\WAY, Aratoi offers a free education programme from Term 2, and a School Holiday Programme (16-18 April).”

WAI artists and participants: Sam Ludden, Siv B. Fjaerestad, Denise Batchelor, Cody Field, Jonathan Kay, Anna- Marie Kingsley, Lisa Donaldson and Ngataiharuru Taepa, with support from: Gareth Winter, Rawiri Smith, Joe Potangaroa, Amber McEwan, Tony Garstang, Kirsten Browne, and Warren Maxwell; and sponsored by: Creative New Zealand, Riverscapes, Masterton Arts Fund, Trust House, and the 147 donors through Boosted.

WATER\WAY artists: Jacqui Colley, Phil Dadson, Bing Dawe, Bruce Foster, Brett Graham, Ross Hemera, Euan Macleod, Gregory O’Brien, Jenna Packer, Dani Terrizzi, Elizabeth Thomson, Peter Trevelyan and Kate Woods.

ENDS For media enquiries: Sam Ludden, Artist, [email protected] / 027 749 5833 Susanna Shadbolt, Director, Aratoi, [email protected] / 06 370 0001