Noel Meek

Awa Orotau: River Attunement (2023)

12 min 20 sec3 channel installation / Digital Video / Colour / Sound

In a time of hydrological crises, we ask how being kōpūwai, being watery, can help us navigate this age. Towards this, Awa Orotau: River Attunement, explores being in tune with the world by being in tune with water and its mauri. The video was shot in the Pigeon Bay stream on Horomaka / Banks Peninsula at Hays Reserve, a tiny piece of remnant old growth forest preserved by Pākehā landowners. This was one of the cleanest, safest rivers available locally to Ōtautahi.

Credits & notes

Performers: Noel Meek, Olivia Webb, Jake Kīanō Skinner (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāi Tūhoe), Nicolas Woolaston, Heather Webb, Emma Johnstone, Hannah Everingham.

Mātauranga Māori advice: Māia Abraham (Ngāi te Rangi, Ngāi Tūhoe), Jake Kīanō Skinner (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāi Tūhoe).

Video and sound: Noel Meek and Olivia Webb.

With thanks to Christchurch Creative Communities.

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    Noel Meek on CIRCUIT

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