Te Maori documented

Tu Tangata, Issue 32, 1 October 1986, Page 46

Te Maori documented

na Hiria Rakete

The Maori regard their taonga as living reminders of the past. Whether it be through whaikorero or whakairo, taonga is an expression of the wairua of the Maori.

And Don Selwyn, independent film producer, will try to capture that wairua on film. Don is preparing eight half hour programmes of the Te Maori exhibition and its impact on the tangata whenua. “The idea is to take the taonga out of the art and museum concept and identify them with the people,” he said. He reckons the way to do this is to talk to the people who have a close attachment to the taonga and get the feelings and attitudes of a cross section of

maoridom. The series will be established under the waka connections of the taonga so that the waka, iwi, whanau will have their say about Te Maori as of right. The exhibition represents all the waka. Don’s already approached Selwyn Murupaenga, Merata Mita, Lee Tamahori, Aroaro Hond and John Tahuparae to cover and present their respective waka. Don says they’re all important because of their experience in TV. “And they are Maori, and their sensitivity to the programme is more readily available to the people they’ll be talking to,” he said. Don says the style of the eight programmes will be the wairua connections between the tangata whenua and the taonga. “Mauri elements are part and parcel of people in the art association. “This is something that has to be redefined in terms of Maori art when

way in which the old people responded to the presence of these taonga overseas. “The taonga have been kept in captivity for such a long time that generations have lost the importance of these taonga in relation to history. “That loss has created an impression of maori art as just being maori art. “Contemporary artists don’t view their art as a piece of art. “It’s something that comes from the people whether it’s pain or laughter.” He realises that to get this whole

one draws comparisons with western art in general. “Maori art is a vehicle of the gods which is communicated in the art form. “This is not a concept fully recognised in western culture. “The gods use the artists to expose the artistry and genuis of creativity and skills in our people.” But Don says that the thing that made Te Maori such a dynamic force was the

impression on film, a different approach needs to be adopted.

“The series will become a product of the people who are part of the delivery process.”

The series will be released in October 1987 just after the closing exhibition in Auckland.

Accompanying the eight half hour programmes will be a 50-minute compilation of excerpts of some of the series.

“However, there will be a high degree of audience participation in the exhibition,” he said.

He said that TVNZ were very keen to see the series go ahead and that they have contributed a lot of money towards the project.