14 April – 30 May, 2021
Little Gallery
Placed at the intersection of visual arts, performance, and creative technologies, Kōrero Paki is a collaboration between the arc/sec Lab: Yinan Liu and Uwe Rieger; and Manaia M: Jermaine Leef and Holly White.
Kōrero Paki takes five key moments from Māori mythology and transforms them into 3D holographic sculptures displayable on various devices. The narratives address the creation, the journey from Hawaiki, the significance of the whale, the ceremonial welcoming onto the Marae, the use of traditional weaponry and martial arts.
The five chapters are a blend of songs and stories from Jermaine’s personal experiences growing up in his iwi Ngāti Kahungunu, Rongomaiwahine.
The Kōrero Paki project uses an anaglyph stereoscopic display method to create small digital sculptures, which remind of ‘holographic carvings’. The 2D graphics are by the artists Māori Erstich and Te Ahuora Macfarlane. Using a simplified motion capture process, they were transformed into animated stories through a live recoded performance by Eds Eramiha.
Watch as the figures appear to dance above the monitor on the floor of the gallery when viewed with simple red/cyan glasses. You may also take the stories with you. Using your smartphone as a digital mini stage, the holographic sculptures will perform in the palm of your hands.
For more information and to download the phone app, please visit: www.paki.nz
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Yinan Liu is a digital artist and programmer with an architectural background from the University of Auckland. She has developed a number of installations as part of the arc/sec Lab. Yinan is the founding partner of arc/sec Solutions ltd., which develops customized applications for cross-reality environments and interactive systems.
Jermaine Leef is a producer and director, and the founder of Manaia M. He has created contemporary Māori entertainment groups that have toured throughout Asia, US, Australia and Europe. The material is from live Modern Māori performances, music, social commentary, and more. Manaia M have a sole focus on modern Māori entertainment and creating a space for the language and culture to be present in today’s society.
Uwe Rieger is an architect and researcher whose work on Reactive Architecture aims to connect the intangible digital world with multi-sensory qualities of physical constructions and spaces. Since 2006, he is an Associate Professor for design and design technology at the University of Auckland, where he has established the arc/sec Lab for Cross-Reality Architecture and Interactive Systems.
Holly White is the director of Virtual reality studio. Holly has spear headed one of the most successful Virtual reality entertainment companies in New Zealand as well as setting up school programmes, corporate events and numerous live events. Holly has also been involved in building local brands such as World brand and Les Mills.
PROJECT CREDITS
arc/sec Lab: Yinan Liu, Uwe Rieger, Kathy Yuan
Manaia M: Jermaine Leef and Holly White
Artwork by Maori Erstich and Te Ahuora Macfarlane
Performing Artist: Eds Eramiha
The project is funded by Creative New Zealand and supported by the University of Auckland.
