Plastic Maori - New Zealand art exhibit - General Tiki

I ikitnrev Tiki Socialite D.C. / Virginia Joined: Jul 27, 2002 Posts: 1325	I ikitnrev Posted posted on Mon, Mar 2, 2009 9:22 PM A new art exhibit in New Zealand looks at the cultural impact of plastic mixing with Maori artwork. When plastic tiki replace pounamu pendants and tekoteko panels are made out of computer keyboards, can these objects retain their cultural integrity? Is synthetic still authentic? Plastic Mâori is an exploration of artworks made by Mâori artists who utilise plastic and other synthetic materials, curated by Blumhardt Foundation/Creative New Zealand Curatorial Intern Reuben Friend. Friend says “I called the show ‘Plastic Mâori’ because this slang term refers to a Mâori person who is culturally uninformed, but pretends to know their stuff. The show looks at the issue of cultural authenticity in contemporary Mâori art, and plays with these ideas of artificial identity and fabrication. A common belief shared by the artists I’ve selected is that a tradition of innovation exists in Mâori culture. The artists reinterpret customary artforms in a way that enables them to comment on contemporary issues.” Plastic Maori examines the appropriation, commodification and mass production of Mâori taonga (treasures), with art works including kowhaiwhai lightboxes, tukutuku puzzle cubes, jewellery, streetwear and even NZ’s most famous plastic Mâori – Manu from Playschool. http://www.dowse.org.nz/News/Latest-News/Synthetic-Authentic-Plastic-Maori/owse

A new art exhibit in New Zealand looks at the cultural impact of plastic mixing with Maori artwork.

*When plastic tiki replace pounamu pendants and tekoteko panels are made out of computer keyboards, can these objects retain their cultural integrity? Is synthetic still authentic?

Plastic Mâori is an exploration of artworks made by Mâori artists who utilise plastic and other synthetic materials, curated by Blumhardt Foundation/Creative New Zealand Curatorial Intern Reuben Friend.

Friend says “I called the show ‘Plastic Mâori’ because this slang term refers to a Mâori person who is culturally uninformed, but pretends to know their stuff. The show looks at the issue of cultural authenticity in contemporary Mâori art, and plays with these ideas of artificial identity and fabrication. A common belief shared by the artists I’ve selected is that a tradition of innovation exists in Mâori culture. The artists reinterpret customary artforms in a way that enables them to comment on contemporary issues.”

Plastic Maori examines the appropriation, commodification and mass production of Mâori taonga (treasures), with art works including kowhaiwhai lightboxes, tukutuku puzzle cubes, jewellery, streetwear and even NZ’s most famous plastic Mâori – Manu from Playschool. *

http://www.dowse.org.nz/News/Latest-News/Synthetic-Authentic-Plastic-Maori/owse

Post #437451 by ikitnrev on Mon, Mar 2, 2009 9:22 PM