Urban Dream Brokerage is proud to have our second commissioned project open - Commonspace by Mouthfull Collective - with further support from Wellington City Council and Creative NZ. An arts based youth lounge based at 113 Taranaki Street, open Wed-Sun 10am-10pm, open until mid October

We asked writer Courtney Rose Brown to explore who Mouthfull are and a look at what they are offering...

A Living Room for the City

I first heard of Mouthfull when I attended Eyegum’s ‘Welcome to Nowhere’ Festival earlier this year. In the sole patch of shade was fabric bunting, an old typewriter, and myself. In the heat of a summer’s day, I found a very special space. As a classic arty millennial who has owned a typewriter but didn’t know how to work one, I wrote nonsense poems with fading red and black ink, letters overlapping, and unpredictable spacing.

Draped between trees was a sheet of parchment open for all to draw on. Mismatched paint, drawings and quotes, were stitched together by a group of people out in Whanganui for the weekend. It was a time capsule of calm and joy, in the late summer of 2021.

I was stoked to find out that the people who crafted this had found a space in the heart of the CBD. There’s a unique and quite indescribable feeling of discovering a space that your heart yearns for.

So who are the wonderful people behind Commonspace and how did Mouthfull come to be?

Mouthfull is made up of Jack, Ollie, Raquel and Sarah. Back in 2016 Ollie and Jack met and since then, the collective has welcomed in Raquel and Sarah. They were brought together through their shared passion and discussions of a multi-medium artistic-like platform so that events could be collectively hosted, music shared, and movies made.

Jack Gittings (he/him) Taurus Sun, Libra Moon, Cancer Rising.. Jack has just finished reading ‘The elegance of the Hedgehog,’ and a small book about silence. He likes toast with Peanut Butter & tomato, and consuming lots of radio. He is @hello.vera__ on TikTok.

Ollie Hutton (he/him) Libra Sun, Aquarius Moon and Pisces Rising. He is currently watching ‘Legend of Korra’ season four, ‘I May Destroy You’ episode ten, and two thirds through ‘The Bone People’. He likes a bit of Tumjal eggplant relish with most dishes. He is @aweloveart on Instagram.

Raquel Manks (she/her) Pisces Sun, Virgo Moon and Aries Rising. Raquel’s been playing the groove armada album “goodbye country (hello nightlife)” a lot which are such feel good tunes if you need a recommendation. She could eat kumara everyday as well as bananas and peanut butter on toast. She is @raquel.meihana on Instagram.

Sarah Lee (she/they) Virgo sun, Virgo moon, and Taurus rising. Sarah’s fav food is their mum's Christmas roast lamb, with the kumara roasted in the same pan. Recently they checked out development proofs from Cody Ellingham's photography exhibit 'New Zealand Nocturnes’ which appeals to two of their fav things: night walking and explorations of home. Have a peek. They are @officialsarahlee on social media.

Who and what has inspired you as creatives?

The natural environment of Aotearoa, The KLF, Twin Peaks, Geocaching, The Briscoes Silver Pots mural on Taranaki St, Chloe Swarbrick, Sophie Jerram, Mark Amery, Helen Kirlew-Smith, the music of Heavy Chest, countless friends and comrades who inspire us with their creativity and presence.

Who are some artists that we should know about?

Some local artists Mouthfull highly recommends being familiar with are Chevron Hassett, Robert Laking, Vishmi Helaratne, Bena Jackson, Ana Te Kōtiro, Bek Coogan, Nikau Te Huki, Heleyni and Marika Pratley.

How did the idea of Mouthfull come about and what led to the decision to create a Commonspace?

There was a whisper in the air (as always present in Wellington) for a cafe/record shop/makers station/creative hub where people could go to meet like-minded others and drink coffee, make art, listen to music, experience something awe-inspiring in the everyday. Trying to figure out how to get there was a bit funny. Andre Smith, Liv Gallagher, Ollie and Jack started hosting some gigs and gatherings in the city. From there it all evolved into collaborations with Mimicry Journal, UDB(1.0), a collection of our favourite festivals (What if the City Was A Theatre?, Welcome to Nowhere, Tora Bombora, Bush Bash to name a few.), and some amazing NZ artists (TOI, EDIE, Dr Reknaw, Heavy Chest, O & the Mo etc). The form dictated the process and every project had a different concoction of requirements and lessons to draw upon.

Commonspace was born from conversations around human connection and community. Mouthful felt that the city was in need of a ‘revival of spirit’ post COVID-19 lockdown and wanted to conjure enchanting experiences of humanity, beauty, unity and creativity. Asking how we can be together, how we can learn from one another, how we can exist in our city without needing to succumb to Western consumerist ideals. Nodding at the current climate of unaffordable housing, we decided a ‘living room for the city’ was a nice concept to imagine (considering many renters in Wellington are having to convert the ‘living room’ at their house into another bedroom so they can afford to live there). We heard about the Letting Space/UDB commission and made a proposal last year which was accepted.

Why should people check out Mouthfull and the Commonspace?

You can work from here, all the events are free (including awesome workshops and talks), it’s a neutral space for connection, there are foot massagers, moodbank, free tea and peanut butter toast, you can use the space how you like (so long as it doesn’t impede on other scheduled gatherings). We love to meet new people and share stories too.

Mouthful has an incredible kaupapa as a company and for the space, so I’d recommend grabbing a cuppa and having a read of their values.U

This week they have some choice events that will definitely inspire you to leave the house despite the weather! Catch Thursday’s Film Screening of ‘Paris, Texas’, some mid day poetry and dance on Friday, yoga on Saturday morning, Mouthfull Radio live broadcast and don’t forget their recurring Sunday dinners! Mouthfull’s Commonspace has a place for everyone so update your calendars, catch up with old friends and rock up early so you can nab those foot massagers first.

Now if that all sounds like your cup of tea or you’re interested in trying something new you can check out their events here.

Ka kite!