HT embarked on a journey from China to Aotearoa. She and friends busked by harbour until one day she heard Taniwha (water spirit) whispering and felt the legends guiding her steps. They responded with sounds and ritualised acts, using pieces of birch bark that has travelled across the Ocean. This dialogue, starting along old shorelines of Te Whanganui-a-Tara at sunset, is where the essence of spatio-temporal beings will be elongated and a photographer's freeze shoots will capture some scenes of the journey.

Dialogue Before Sunset will present site-specific performances that pays homage to the pūrākau, Ngake and Whātaitai, the taniwha who resided in the now Wellington Harbour and occupy an important presence in collective reimaginings of Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Performers will use birch bark pieces as spiritual creatures from Ewengki/Evenki tribe in China, and sounds and objects found from shoreline and captured by cameras/speakers. Together, these debris co-create a space for tī kōuka (cabbage tree), harakeke(flax), tūī, and various beings living around the ocean, Waimapihi stream, and Waitangi stream.

Temporary Show emerged out of street and roof gardens of Shanghai in 2018 and journeyed to Te Whanganui-a-Tara in 2022. This experience in Fringe 2024 is led by artist and researcher HT(Shannon Xiao), together with filmmaker Lu Pang and many indigenous & non-indigenous open members, with support from the council, Victoria University of Wellington, and mana whenua. They have contributed to art festivals in Shanghai, Chengdu & Wellington.

Meet at entrance of Wellington Museum or find us around Waitangi Park! All are welcome! Proudly supported by Wellington City Council’s Public Art Fund. 

Contact:@htcz.bartendess

Updates:temporaryshow.wordpress.com