You're invited to Tok Talanoa at Pātaka Art + Museum

Join us in June for two days of gathering, talking, and eating as we explore the rich and diverse creative expressions of Melanesia. With the support of Creative New Zealand's Pacific Arts Strategy, Tok Talanoa invites you to engage in thought-provoking conversations from local artists, celebrate brilliance and deepen your understanding of this region. This event sits alongside three exhibitions at Pātaka – The Ulumate Project, Red Wave Blue Wave and Sanap Wantaim. We look forward to welcoming you to Tok Talanoa.

June 22-23 | Pataka Art + Museum17 Parumoana Street, Porirua City Centre, Porirua

Produced by Studio Kiin in partnership with Pātaka Art + Museum

Graphic design by Elsie Andrewes

PROGRAMME

DAY ONE

9.30am - 10.00am
Opening - Speech from Emele Ugavule, supported by Bose Dakai

10-11.45am
Kaikai: Morning Tea

Workshop: Masi kesa making with Natasha Ratuva (all ages)
Masi kesa is historically used in iTaukei culture for a variety of reasons ranging including adornment, ceremonial gifting, dividing rooms, babywearing and more. Kick off the festival through an introduction to iTaukei Masi kesa making with artist Natasha Ratuva.

11.45am - 1pm
Tok Talanoa with Larry Thomas, Ulamila Bulamaibau and Luisa Tora facilitated by Jacki Leota-Mua
The Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific studies, founded by Epeli Hau’ofa, has been the home of many revolutionary thought leaders and artists from the Pacific for years. Join artists from Red Wave, Blue Wave as they discuss the evolution of visual storytelling from the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific studies and their latest exhibition at Pātaka Art + Museum.

1-2pm
Kaikai: Lunch and optional tour of the exhibitions

2-2.30pm
Artist Keynote: Digital Melanesia with Elsie Andrewes

2.30-3pm
Artist Keynote: Capturing Melanesia with Peter Wing Seeto

3.00-3.30pm
Kaikai: Afternoon tea

3.30-5.30pm
Tok Talanoa: Hearing Melanesia with Daren Kamali, Tina McNicholas, Emele Ugavule, Josua Tuwere, Sandra Tisam, and Renata Baleikasavu
Wrap up our first day of the festival by joining us for an afternoon of performance through spoken poetry and playreadings of works from Melanesia by Daren Kamali, Josua Tuwere, Tina McNicholas, Emele Ugavule, Josua Tuwere, Sandra Tisam and Renata Baleikasavu.

6pm onwards
Hearing Melanesia: Open mic
We open the afternoon of performance to Melanesian poets and writers in the community to share their work whilst we sit around the tanoa.

Tok Talanoa: Connect Melanesia with Bose Dakai
For those who want to continue to tok stori, you are welcome to sit around the tanoa as we share yaqona, kaikai and conversation and listen to the open mic.

DAY TWO

9-10.00am
Tok Talanoa: Seeing Melanesia with Joana Monolagi, Evelyn Kunda
Joana Monolagi, Evelyn Kunda discuss their experiences and inspiration, working with visual and textile practices in the visual artists, and the transmission of Indigenous knowledge through these mediums.

10.00-10.30am
Kaikai: Morning tea

10.30am-12pm
Tok Talanoa: Speaking Melanesia with Losalini Tuwere, Kira Hundleby
Melanesia has more languages than all of Europe, and holds the largest Indigenous population in the Pacific region yet is unjustifiably underfunded and supported in Aotearoa. Hear from local language champions and storytellers, Losalini Tuwere and Kira Hundleby, about the unique perspectives and challenges of teaching to diasporic communities, and the lessons we can learn from their languages.

12-12.30pm
Artist keynote: Liberating Melanesia with Jessica Ounei

12.30-12.45pm
Closing (for public) - Closing remarks from Emele Ugavule

12.45-1.30pm
Kaikai: Lunch