Talanoa is a pan-Pacific word that describes a process of inclusive, participatory and transparent dialogue. Using talanoa as a point of conceptual departure, Talanoa forum is an artist-led gathering that aggregates artists, curators, scholars, activists, community leaders and policymakers to extend the themes from Paradise Camp into a series of critical talanoa/conversations under the theme entitled Swimming Against the Tide.
Facilitated by Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust, the online talanoa presented in September and November, features talanoa between the writers to the Paradise Camp publication; exploring the legal frameworks in giving personhood to the Pacific Ocean; and a gathering of members from the Firsts Solidarity Network to reflect on their participation in the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia 2022.
Online talanoa 1/3
Title: Writers of Paradise Camp
Date: Thursday 22nd September 2022
Time: 7 pm NZ time
Duration: Approx. 90min
Speakers including Emeritus Professor Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, Dan Taulapapa McMullin, Patrick Flores, Ioana Gordon Smith, and Yuki Kihara moderated by Natalie King.
Description: Please join us for an online talanoa with some of the contributors to the publication Paradise Camp by Yuki Kihara edited by Natalie King and published by Thames & Hudson for New Zealand’s presentation at the 59th Venice Biennale.
Interdisciplinary artist Yuki Kihara is the first Pasifika and Fa'afafine artist to be presented by New Zealand at the prestigious 59th International Art Exhibition — La Biennale di Venezia, with a ground-breaking exhibition of new work that addresses some of the most pressing issues of our time. Kihara's work interrogates and dismantles gender roles, consumerism, (mis)representation, and colonial legacies in the Pacific. Edited by Natalie King, who has commissioned provocative essays from contributors from around the world, Paradise Camp contextualizes Kihara’s lifetime of works, which puncture and expose queer and question dominant narratives, turning so-called history on its head.
This talanoa will feature fa’afafine artist and poet Dan Taulapapa McMullin, professor of art studies at the University of Phillipines Patrick Flores and Emeritus Professor and Ruānuku or Venerable Elder scholar of Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, New Zealand’s Māori Centre for Research Excellence Ngahuia Te Awekotuku PhD FAWMM MNZM. Discussing their contributions to the publication, alongside the ‘Paradise Camp’ Creative Team –Artist Yuki Kihara, Curator Natalie King and Assistant Pasifika Curator Ioana Gordon-Smith.
Online talanoa 2/3
Title: Pacific Ocean Personhood: Ethical, Cultural, and Legal Frameworks
Date: Thursday 29th September 2022
Time: 7 pm NZ time
Duration: Approx. 80min
Speakers including Dame Meg Taylor, Tuiloma Neroni Slade, Katerina Teaiwa, Joy Enomoto moderated by Lelei Lelaulu.
Description: A clarion call for the recognition of the ocean as a legal person was issued at the 2017 United Nations Ocean Conference in New York by Prime Minister Henry Puna of the Cook Islands currently serving as Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum and as the Pacific Oceans Commissioner. Prime Minister Puna asserted it was time to explore the universal rights of the ocean since Ecuador gave nature legally enforceable rights in 2008; Aotearoa New Zealand giving the Whanganui River its legal rights in 2017 and India granted the Ganges and Yamuna rivers the same rights as a human being in the same year. With these developments starting to generate serious international attention, the online talanoa brings together a panel discussion featuring artists, policymakers, and legal experts to explore what ethical, cultural, and legal frameworks need to be considered in giving personhood status to the Pacific Ocean, especially how it impacts the social, cultural and geopolitical divisions in a region at the frontline of Climate change.
Online talanoa 3/3
Title: Firsts Solidarity Network
Date: Thursday 24th November 2022
Time: 7 pm NZ time
Duration: Approx. 90 min
Speakers Natalie King, Emma Ridgway, Shubigi Rao, Adela Demetja, Joanna Warsza and Yuki Kihara.
Description: An informal Firsts Solidarity Network of national pavilions has been established for the 59th International Venice Biennale. An artist-led initiative comprising of artist/s who are a first-time representative from a marginalised or under-represented group in their respective country or a first time country participant at the Venice Biennale, will offer visitors to Venice a route to discover these “firsts” at the global art world event. For artists and curators the network offers practical advice and camaraderie among participating pavilions. The national pavilions includes Albania, Poland, Nepal. Aotearoa New Zealand, Singapore and United Kingdom.