Plastic Maori - New Zealand art exhibit

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

really fascinating, wish the link you provided was working, hopefully more images pop up form this

yea i wanna see too. Its a great concept that really brings it up to date with how art is created now, yet completely opposite from what is revered in poly pop circles.

One of my best bits of being in New Zealand last year, was standing in the Supermarket and overhearing three Maoris discussing the carving class they had been attending at their local community group. They were discussing how wood was difficult to carve but ACC [thermalite] was good to get you into carving.

Here is another link to the New Dowse museum/school ... scroll down for more information on the exhibit - they might provide more content when the exhibit actually opens on March 14.

http://www.newdowse.org.nz/

And here is a video news clip from a local television network of the Plastic Maori show - it shows a few of the exhibits on display

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/Nightline/tabid/368/articleID/95807/cat/64/Default.aspx#video