RONGOĀ-MARAE-ROA-A RANGI: HE MOEMOEĀ
Tanya Te Miringa Te Rorarangi Ruka
Property Partner: Readings Cinema
Location: 106 Courtenay Place, Te Whanganui-a-Tara. (Ex STA Travel)
Dates: Saturday 27 November - Saturday 11 December 2021
Open Hours: Wednesdays to Saturdays 10am - 1pm
Website: Fog and Moon Studio
Artwork: Digital Weavings, 2021, Tanya Ruka.
Photography: Markuza Maric and Linda Lee
Rongoā-Marae-Roa-A Rangi: He Moemoeā – Acknowledging the wairua of the inner city. Tanya Ruka’s project will map the inner city with the mātauranga Māori concepts māramatanga, kāitiakitanga and mānakitanga. It asks how we protect and enhance the Mauri, the life force within urban environments, and suggest that when we look to regeneration we must first go back to the source, what was here before and what has happened since. Ruka will explore how we communicate with the wai and awa below and what is the wairua of the land being shared with us. The project will also explore how we introduce biodiverse ecosystems into this place of concrete. How do we plant the seeds?
The Forest Rongoā teahouse is an installation space that is inspired by the pluriversal nature of the Ngahere (forest). Whakawhanaungatanga is to actively build relationships just like the forest has many interconnected relationships, this is an open invitation to unite together and consider these questions. To kōrero (talk) and share our experiences of the whenua land and imagine different positive versions of the future together.
How do we introduce more biodiverse ecosystems into this place of concrete? How do we plant the seeds? How do we care for and communicate with the wai and awa below the city streets?
Over the three week period, The space will also exhibit Tanya’s stunning digital weaving series ‘Mapping Poneke’ as well as other multimedia installations. Acknowledging the wairua of the inner city. Tanya’s weavings will map the inner city with the mātauranga Māori concepts māramatanga (learning, enlightenment), manākitanga (respect, aroha/ love), kaitiakitanga (guardianship).
It asks how we protect and enhance the Mauri, the life force within urban environments, and suggest that when we look to regeneration we must first go back to the source, what was here before and what has happened since.
Tanya Te Miringa Te Rorarangi Ruka is of Ngāti Pakau, Te Uriroroi, Te Parawhau, Te Mahurehure - Ngapuhi, and Waitaha descent. She is an artist, designer and independent researcher active in environmental issues from an indigenous perspective in Aotearoa and globally, working with the Waitaha Executive Grandmothers Council and the Common Earth Indigenous Working Group. Lastyear she founded the online Region Net Positive community platform. A video and performance artist who has exhibited nationally, Tanya has shown with the Circuit agency since 2016 and was artist in residence at Corbans Estate Art Centre 2018-19.