Tai Whetuki / House of Death

Death is an inevitability of human life, and fear of it evokes powerful reactions. Since time immemorial, artists, philosophers and religions have questioned life, death and spirituality - but lesser known is an understanding of these phenomena from a Pacific perspective.

Visually striking and emotionally provocative, Tai Whetuki is a powerful new video work by leading multi-media artist Lisa Reihana (Ngapuhi, Ngāti Hine and Ngai Tu) which delves into Māori and Pacific cultural practices pertaining to death and mourning. Haunting and evocative images, accompanied by an elemental soundscape take us on a journey through the intensity and spectacle of communal mourning, in a reflection on grief and the transition of the spirit. 

Groundbreaking and courageous, Lisa Reihana is internationally renowned as an artist working across both digital and physical platforms.  A permanent installation work, Rangimarie Last Dance, 2011, can be seen within Q Theatre.  

Tai Whetuki / House of Death screening times (subject to change)

Friday 6th: 4pm – 5pm, 7pm – 8pm, 10pm – midnight
Sat 7th: 5.30pm – 6.30pm, 8.45pm – 9.45pm, 10.30pm – midnight
Sun 8th: 5.30pm – 6.30pm, 8pm – 9pm, 9.30pm – midnight.
Mon 9th: 4pm – 4.45pm, 5.45pm – 6.45pm, 8.15pm – 9.15pm
Tue 10th: 4pm – 5pm, 7.15pm – 8.15pm, 10pm – midnight.
Wed 11th: 2.30pm – 3.30pm, 4pm – 5pm, 7.45pm – 8.45pm, 11pm – midnight
Thurs 12th: 5pm – 6pm, 7pm – 8pm, 10pm – 12pm
Fri 13th: 4.45pm – 5.45pm, 7.15pm – 8.15pm, 9.30pm – 10.30pm, midnight – 12.30am
Sat 14th (WHITE NIGHT): 5pm- 6pm, followed by Joe Harawira live storytelling Ghost stories from Aotearoa, 7pm single screening, followed by Joe Harawira storytelling, 9pm single screening, 10.45pm – 11.15pm followed by Joe Harawira storytelling, midnight – 12.30am
Sun 15th: 3pm – 4pm, 7pm – 8pm, 10pm – 11pm, 11.45 – midnight
Mon 16th: 4pm – 5pm, 7.45pm – 8.45pm, 9pm – 10pm,11pm – midnight
Tue 17th: 4.30pm – 5.30pm, 7pm – 8pm, 10.15pm – midnight
Wed 18th: 4pm – 5pm, 6.30pm – 7.30pm, 11.30pm – midnight
Thur 19th: 4.30pm – 5.30pm, 7.15pm – 8.15pm, 9.30pm – 10.30pm
Fri 20th: 7pm – 8pm, 10pm – 11pm, 11.30pm – midnight
Sat 21st: 8.30pm, 9.30pm, 11pm – midnight
Sun 22nd: 7pm – 8pm, 10.30pm – midnight

Image: Lisa Reihana 2014. Photo: Kallan MacLeod. Costume: Bob Buck, Lisa Reihana, Steven Ball. Talent: Hemi David.
 

Commissioned and presented by Auckland Arts Festival

 Sun 15 March, 3pm, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki Auditorium: Hear Lisa Reihana and Niki Hastings-McFall talk about their Festival-commissioned works.