Pōhutu is a new full length multi-disciplinary dance work premiering at Kia Mau Festival, Wellington this June.
Choreographer Bianca Hyslop and multi award-winning Performance Designer Rowan Pierce are two artists at the forefront of their practices here in Aotearoa. The result of their collaboration is a rich synthesis of image, object, movement, and sound where the past, present and future abruptly intersect.
The wider creative team behind Pohutu establishes new collaborative connections between Bianca Hyslop, Rowan Pierce, Rosie Tapsell, Tui Matira Ranapiri-Ransfield and Emma Ransley.
As independent practitioners, the team have worked together on various other influential projects in the past including Okareka's 'Mana Wahine', Movement Of The Human's 'MEREMERE' and 'RUSHES' and Atamira's Dance Company's 'Atamira'. Off the back of these relationships Pōhutu has been a unique and exciting opportunity for the team to strengthen their collaborative relationships into a new and exciting creative force.
Bianca’s grandmother Ramari Rangiwhiua Morrison was born in Te Whakarewarewatanga-o-te-ope-taua-a-Wahiao, Rotorua. Whakarewarewa is situated on a double fault line and is home to Pohutu; the Southern Hemisphere’s largest active geyser. It is a a place of tremendous power where the natural geothermal landscape is forever re-shaping itself.
At the age of 88, Bianca’s grandmother now has Alzheimers.
Pōhutu draws parallels between her shapeshifting mind and the restless landscape of Whakarewarewa; the whenua she was born from and will return to. The work manifests connection to memory, time, place and loss.
Made from the echoes of lived experiences, of multi-layered realities and of re-imaginings, this short 3 night season of Pōhutu will be a world premiere not to be missed!
Performers and Choreographic Collaborators:
Bianca Hyslop and Rosie Tapsell
Performance Design:
Rowan Pierce
Matanga Matauranga Maori:
Tui Matira Ranapiri-Ransfield
Costume Design:
Emma Ransley
Publicity Photography:
Jinki Cambronero
