Public Relations: A performance series
20 Aug - 07 Nov 2022
Three performance-based projects unfold at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and in public sites around Ngāmotu between August and November 2022.
Each project interrogates how we arrive at and relate to public spaces—the park, the gallery, the archive, the beach. The sites and institutions we inhabit are made up of multiple, at times conflicting, histories, values and ways of knowing and navigating. Deploying humour, ritual and movement, each artist in this series intervenes in everyday rhythms of life, posing alternative possibilities for being, relating, and making together—
if only for a moment.
Alongside the performances, an exhibition in the gallery acts as an unfolding archive of these projects. Opening with a selection of documentation from previous performance works, drawings and preparatory studies, and objects that will be deployed during the course of the projects, the exhibition will evolve over the course of its season, as new documentation and physical traces of performative actions are presented.
Performance 1: Louie Zalk-Neale, Ngā Manuhiri Taura (The Visiting Ropes)
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Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
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Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
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Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
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Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
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Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
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Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
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Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
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Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
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Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
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Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
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Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
Louie Zalk-Neale with Rangimarie Keall, Ngā manuhiri taura (The visiting ropes), documentation of performance, Ōnukutaipari Back Beach, 27 August 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker.
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Louie Zalk-Neale, Ngā Manuhiri Taura (The Visiting Ropes), 2022, tyre, ropes, stone. Installation view. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Bryan James.
Louie Zalk-Neale, Ngā Manuhiri Taura (The Visiting Ropes), 2022, tyre, ropes, stone. Installation view. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Bryan James.
SAT 27 AUG | 2.30 PM
Prior to the performance, Gallery visitors were invited to join the artist for two ropemaking workshops, during which Zalk-Neale guided participants in making miro (twined string) from tī kōuka. These took place on 25 and 27 Aug 2023.
The performance took place at Ōnukutaipari Back Beach and making use of found and recycled materials transformed into body adornments, Louie Zalk-Neale’s (Ngāi Te Rangi, Pākehā) performance embodied whakapapa links to te taiao. With support from Rangimarie Keall (Taranaki), Zalk-Neale’s explorations draw upon Dr Elizabeth Kerekere’s concept of Mana Tipua—which speaks to the shapeshifting power and fluid gender of the taniwha and other spiritual beings as a grounding for takatāpui and trans identity in the present.
Attendees were encouraged to bring a taura (rope) with them, which was used as part of the performance.
Performance 2: Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock Free Public Sauna: Sweaty Conversations in Ngāmotu
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Pukekura Park, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
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Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
Layne Waerea and Chris Braddock: Free Public Sauna: Sweaty conversations in Ngāmotu - Coastal Walkway, 2022. Courtesy of the artists. Photo: Hayley Bethell.
SAT 10 SEP | 1 PM and SAT 17 SEP | 1 PM
Layne Waerea (Te Arawa, Ngāti Kahungunu, Pākehā) and Chris Braddock invited participants on excursions with sweaty conversations around central Ngāmotu.
Offering Free Sweatsuits and Free Sweat Cushion-bags, the artists led participants in a series of gentle exercises, designed to generate perspiration, while at the same time combining conversation around Ngāmotu’s coastal location, the culture of public sport, and questions around the use, ownership and guardianship of natural resources—including fresh and salt water.
The artists employed humour and conversation to collaboratively explore how social and legal norms determine behaviour and relationships, and where opportunities for thinking and relating otherwise might emerge.
Performance 3: Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals
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Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
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Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
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Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
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Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
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Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
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Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
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Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
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Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
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Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
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Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
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Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock, {~~~~} Further Toward, Further Toward A Deconstruction of Phallic Univocality: Deferrals, documentation of performance, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Ngāmotu New Plymouth, 19 October 2022. Photo: Ted Whitaker. Courtesy of the artists.
WED 19 OCT | 6 PM
Fayen d’Evie and Benjamin Hancock revisit the archives of feminist criticism in Aotearoa, presenting a new edition of their performative publication Essays in Vibrational Poetics. Performed in the gallery, the work draws upon the title and a line from a 1986 essay by Aotearoa-born art critic Lita Barrie. Responding to the contexts, poetics and typographic treatment of language in Barrie’s essay, the artists consider changing understandings of gender identity, and how, through repetition, citation and translation, the body emerges as a medium for communication.