8 May 2008

MEDIA RELEASE

Urban Rituals Latest In One Day Sculpture Series

Te Papa hosts Native American artist James Luna (Luiseño, Pooyukitchchum/Ipai) on Thursday 14 May between 8am and 4pm and will be web streamed live on www.tepapa.govt.nz/jamesluna.
This is the latest in the One Day Sculpture series, organised by the Litmus Research Initiative at Massey University School of Fine Arts in Wellington, and British Curator Claire Doherty.

For over three decades, Luna has been creating visual art, interdisciplinary exhibitions, and performances that are informed by his native culture, use modern technology, and speak to current issues. Curators Charlotte Huddleston and Megan Tamati-Quennell commissioned the project on behalf of Te Papa, and have been working with Luna to develop the project, the first commissioned art project Te Papa has undertaken with an international indigenous artist.

‘We are very excited to be able to bring Luna to New Zealand for the first time’, said Ms Huddleston, Te Papa’s Contemporary Art curator. ‘He is a provocative artist whose work constantly challenges the expectation that traditional indigenous practices are tied to the past and don’t have currency in our modern world.

‘Urban (Almost) Rituals is a direct response to his experiences in New Zealand earlier this year, and draws on similarities between Mäori and Native American cultures.’

Luna will be creating a sculptural representation of the spiral found both in Mäori carving and in his own culture. Costumed in his self-described character of the Shame Man, he will act as circus ringmaster, court jester, and occasional merchant of venom. Luna is renowned for his tongue-in-cheek performances; his stories are both humorous and painful. His art evokes ancient cultural values and raises questions of contemporary native identity, while debunking stereotypes. He will also be speaking at Enjoy Public Art Gallery on Tuesday 12 May from 6pm.

Urban (Almost) Rituals
8am – 4pm
Te Papa Amphitheatre or Soundings Theatre (wet weather venue)
Te Papa
Free entry

ENDS