This month enjoy the beautiful and abstract sounds of Utterance—Natalia Mann (harp), David Long (banjo and noises), Al Fraser (taonga pūoro) and Riki Gooch (percussion) will perform live in the Auditorium. These compositions were created by David Long, Richard Nunns and Natalia Mann for the album Utterance that will be released early June. The album distills four sessions of improvised soundscapes into vignettes, states, memories, and imagery. Recorded in 2013, and finally released after four years, the organic futurism of the album holds its own. Listen to a sample here.
All exhibitions are open until 10pm, hear music from DJ B.Lo, enjoy supper treats from House of Dumplings and a cash bar serving Seresin wine, Tuatara and more.
Timetable:
5pm Exhibitions open: Colin McCahon: On Going Out with the Tide, Petra Cortright: RUNNING NEO-GEO GAMES UNDER MAME, Martino Gamper: 100 Chairs in 100 Days | All Galleries
5–9.30pm Delicious treats from House of Dumplings, cash bar serving Tuatara Brewing beer, Seresin Estate wine, Six Barrel Soda and Mela juice | Downstairs
5–10pm DJ B.Lo plays live | Downstairs
5–8pm Exhibition: Shannon Te Ao: (Untitled) McCahon House Studies | Auditorium
6pm Exhibition tour of Colin McCahon: On Going Out with the Tide | Downstairs
8.30pm Utterance: David Long, Natalia Mann, Al Fraser and Riki Gooch perform live | Auditorium
About the musicians
David Long is perhaps best known for his extensive background scoring documentary and narrative films, or as a founding member of rock band The Mutton Birds, but he has an extensive parallel history. Fundamental to this ‘second-history’ is Long's work as a composer for orchestras, as well as large and small experimental ensembles: in 2016, following his time as composer in residence at Victoria University, he premiered a piece for orchestra, electric guitar and robotics (working with Jim Murphy of the NZSM). Additionally, David has also had a long association with contemporary dance, writing many pieces for New Zealand’s pre-eminent choreographer Douglas Wright.
Natalia Mann is a contemporary harpist who plays in an improvisational, intuitive way, with deep listening open to dialogue and connection. Her current practice explores relationships between light and sound, using film and reading artworks. Her experience includes street, world jazz and experimental scenes in Melbourne, classical Turkish music in Istanbul, and time as principal harpist of the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra. In New Zealand, Natalia has worked with Richard Nunns, Bic Runga, Riki Gooch, NZSO, Black Grace, her Samoan band Sunga (Suga) and premiered the Golden Bull-Lyre of Tauranga. Natalia is an expat Wellingtonian who lives in Cairns, Australia.
Alistair Fraser is a taonga pūoro practitioner, with 18 years experience in construction, performance, composition and research. He has worked extensively both solo and with many others including Richard Nunns, Patricia Grace, Rhian Sheehan, Trinity Roots, Ariana Tikao, Paddy Free, NZSQ, Okareka Dance Company and Charles Royal. He is a researcher at Otago University investigating Chatham Island Moriori and Māori taonga pūoro.
Riki Gooch is one of New Zealand's most highly regarded DJs, producers and multi-instrumentalists, having recorded and toured with many top artists including Trinity Roots, Fat Freddy's Drop, Bic Runga, Crowded House, Fabulous Arabia and Lord Echo. He is also a regarded record producer having produced platinum selling albums for Hollie Smith, Matt Langley and Eru Dangerspiel.
Thank you to our event sponsors.
