29 July – 27 August 2000
‘A unique spiritual and cultural event’
This innovative exhibition is a presentation of the development of the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in New Caledonia. Renzo Piano, ‘the architect’s architect’, is the world famous creator of the Tjibaou Cultural Centre building. Renzo Piano has referred to the design of the centre as ‘these souvenirs of huts opened on a dream of the future.’ This project foreshadows the 8th Festival of Pacific Arts held in New Caledonia in October and November 2000.
The Centre is a homage to traditional Kanak architecture and the exhibition, too, will be committed to a re-evaluation and reconciliation of Melanesian culture. This commitment will be shown through the inclusion of major works by leading indigenous artists of the Pacific.
In a fight to preserve the ancient indigenous Kanak culture and identity, the exhibition draws on the ancient culture of New Caledonia in order to challenge the future and to identify it is a distinctive part of the cultural heritage and aesthetic wealth of Australasia.
The exhibition includes Aarchitectural models, maquettes, prototypes, drawings and photographs of the Tjibaou Cultural Centre and its construction;multi media internet access and CD-ROM, 2 videos on the Tjibaou Cultural Centre; and paintings and sculpture by Kanak contemporary artists including Yolande Moto, Kiki Poma, Paula Boi, Ito Waia
To create a regional and international dimension there is a range of Pacific contemporary works by artists from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Torres Strait Islands, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Sunday 30 July – Marie-Claude Tjibaou on the cultural and social legacy of her husband, Jean-Marie Tjibaou, the assassinated Kanak leader & Emmanuel Kasarherou, Director of the Tjibaou Cultural Centre, on the Centre, its collection and program
Sunday 6 August – Dr Susan Cochrane on the artists represented in the collection of the Tjibaou Cultural Centre and the exhibition at the S.H. Ervin Gallery.
Sunday 13 August – Olaf De Nooyer, Architect Partner of Renzo Piano Building Workshop, on the architecture of Tjibaou Cultural Centre and Aurora Place both designed by Renzo Piano. This will be followed by an exclusive tour of the nearly completed Aurora Place. Numbers are strictly limited and bookings are essential.
Sunday 20 August – Ian Wamijo, from Oceanic Arts Australia, is a descendant of Kanak people. He will discuss Oceanic art from the perspective of an indigenous person & Maud Page, curator of Pacific Projects at the Australian Museum, discusses contemporary work from New Zealand.