research blog for the final major project

My interests are the driving force behind any work I do: If I am given a subject matter, i want to know everything about it, become and expert in it, and produce a piece that can effectively and subtly show what i have learnt from it. The structure of the ‘fmp’ is a perfect opportunity to understand why I am drawn to particular interests. In the broadest sense, I am interested in comedies, films, illustration, camels, New Zealand, and Small-Films animations.

Within these interests, I thought about which I would like to explore: I first thought about comedies: I originally thought it would be wonderful to understand and ‘pick apart’ this interest. Why, within scripts and spontaneous speech, an original voice of humour can be created. As I thought a about this, I realised that part of the reason I am fascinated by comedy, is because of the effortlessness of watching it, and picking it apart would ruin the spontaneity and silly-ness of its humour. This applies to films: Surely the reason I watch them again and again is because I take in something new in each watch, so coming to a resolution about my interest may close the interest itself.

Then I thought about camels. I would describe camels as my favourite animals; a few reasons would be their character, connections to explorers, how much I enjoy drawing them; but in the words of Robyn Davidson, perhaps someone who knows more about camel’s than anyone, ‘when people ask me why I say 'why not?'.’ I have little interest in a camel’s biology or history; my interest in them is very shallow compared to my other interests. I do however want to understand the psychology of my interests, and thought about the first time I can remember having a specific and researched interest.

Robyn Davison and Camels, photograph by Rick Smolan and National Geographic.

Robyn Davison and Camels, photograph by Rick Smolan and National Geographic.

This takes me back to 2012, and on a rainy afternoon, I had been persuaded to watch ‘The Hobbit, An Unexpected Journey’ by my parents. I don’t think I have ever been so wrong about anything in my life, as, when uninterested in the idea of a SFX filled, nerdy (and really long) film, I had a changed perspective by the end.

After months of scrolling through ‘the hobbit’ photography on Google images, watching countless interviews and re-drawing runes and hobbit doors on the edges of paper, my birthday came, and I asked for the extended edition of The Hobbit on DVD.

Photo By James Fisher - 2012 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. 

Photo By James Fisher - 2012 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. 

Photo By James Fisher - 2012 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. 

The disks promised 9 hours of behind the scenes footage. Through this utopia, I was introduced to areas such as art departments, concept artists, storyboarding, animation, animatronics, script writing, location, and studio shooting.

Among these clips, was an introduction to my topic – Maori culture:

After the film was given the green light, actors were cast, studios booked and money spent. The film was ready to shoot, and the entire cast and crew met at the soundstage at Stone Street Studios in Wellington, for a welcome ceremony. I watched the ‘Powhiri ceremony’, performed by Maori Folk. I was absorbed in their language, performance, songs and actions.

Clip of 'Powhiri' ceremony at Stone Street Studio : https://youtu.be/nsQbhvsFv50

Gif of Powhiri Ceremony at Stone Street Studios. Sourced from 'OneNews'.

Thinking only of the beauty and obscurity of this ceremony, I continued to become interested in film and television, looking at both small and large-scale productions. 

Flight of the Conchords

Stumbling across ‘Flight of the Conchords’ (the connection was that Bret McKenzie played an Elf in Lord of the Rings), I again picked up this fascination with New Zealand, this time a new and distinct style of deadpan comedy, folk-influenced music and performance.

Flight of the Conchords 2017-18 tour photograph by David Roy.

Flight of the Conchords 'He May be Dead' : https://youtu.be/NRdg1MOYxHo
Flight of the Conchords 'Kiwis Vs Aussies' : https://youtu.be/qTwAoFR4DuM

Through this I discovered the work of Taika Waititi, who had directed the first episodes of the show, perhaps one of the most famous New-Zealanders today. Through his films, it struck me how drawn I am to Kiwi and Maori life, from slang such as ‘egg’ and ‘skux’, to traditional songs, customs and beliefs that evoke a respectful and colourful community.

Photo by Michael Buckner

Amazing TED talk By Taika Waititi (is quite long but must watch!) : https://youtu.be/pL71KhNmnls

   Taika Waititi Films:

'What We Do in the Shadows' official trailer : https://youtu.be/IAZEWtyhpes

'Hunt For the Wilder-people' official trailer : https://youtu.be/XTk3DpccpUY
'Boy' official trailer : https://youtu.be/ESD3mlgpSwM
'Eagle Vs Shark' official trailer :https://youtu.be/_OrmOuC-aUY
'Thor : Ragnarok' official trailer : https://youtu.be/ue80QwXMRHg

As much as I am influenced by these traits in both my life and artwork, I am yet to truly research the historical, cultural, social and influential aspects of this subject matter, an opportunity to truly explore a significant influence, and give back to its generosity.

To gain insight, I can firstly look to the history of Maori culture: books such as ‘Maori art and culture’ and ‘exhibiting Maori; a history of colonial cultures of display’, give strong insight into the importance of language and ancestral influence upon the culture, as well as creative influence in text and image. 

Te Hau Ki Turanga carvings from Colonial Museum, Taken 1902, From the book 'Exhibiting Maori; A history of colonial cultures of display.'

Ngati Poneke young Maori Club in Te Hau Ki Turanga, 1936. From the book 'Exhibiting Maori; A history of colonial cultures of display.

These connections to history and context lead me to writings of legends and symbolic texts, strongly embedded in all aspects of Maori life and beliefs. These narratives, influenced or imagined, directly link to my love of narrative and informed text. By looking at examples of fiction and non-fiction, exploring a unique style of language and imagery, could help me understand how aboriginal writing influences my own.

Maori Legends, Illustrated by Roger Hart

Maori Legends, Illustrated by Roger Hart

The song ‘Poi E’, featured in the end scene of ‘Boy’ by Taika Waititi, led me to the modern beliefs and values of Maori folk. The documentary ‘Poi E; the story of our song.’ will help me to understand this further. Poi E is a song that brought the Maori community together, inspiring young Maoris' to be proud of their home, and to celebrate the strength of their culture, that Dalvanius Prime, writer of the song, felt was slowly disappearing. Watching the full documentary, will give more details as to why a range of communities within Maori culture, were touched by the song, and described as 'the anthem of a new generation'. From this I hope to get in touch with members of the Patea Maori choir, to further get a sense of the importance of this song, and what impact the choir had on the rest of New Zealand.

'Poi E' official music video : https://youtu.be/DQLUygS0IAQ

'Poi E' in 'Boy' by Taika Waititi : https://youtu.be/hn-iqH75jqo

Behind the scenes interview with Aunty Bib and Nana Bub, Patea Maori Club - Tuteri Rangihaeata

‘Poi E’, a simple song with a catchy beat released 32 years ago, has become New Zealand’s unofficial national anthem. With humour, energy and emotion, the movie POI E is the story of how that iconic song gave pride to generations of New Zealanders. From Taika Waititi giving Stan Walker his quirky take on life in the 1980s to Patea Maori Club members’ straight-talking and funny memories of the song’s visionary originator Dalvanius Prime, director Tearepa Kahi, captures a unique story that taps into the heart of a nation.' Synopsis from Official Poi E website. 

Patea Maori Club at PaePae in the Park Waitangi Day 2015. Photo by Kirsty Griffin.

Connie Pewhairangi and daughter. Still from 'Poi E' Documentary.

Tuteri Rangihaeata

Trailer of Poi E - The Story of our Song : https://youtu.be/Za6u11f10rQ

Poi E Official Website : http://www.poiemovie.co.nz/

Figures of Maori culture, old and new, are also important to research, giving insight as to why I see a sense of community and pride from Maori communities, and the social movements, that both divided and re-enforced this community.

'Poi E' performed by Patea Maori Club

Dalvanius Prime and the Patea Maori Club, performing in 1998, From the book: Exhibiting Maori; a history of colonial cultures of display.

As focused as I am on ‘Maori’ culture, it is important to me, to research close connections to other native/aboriginal groups, finding similarities and influences from Australian and Rastafarian culture. These groups swap influences and principles of the Maori, so uncovering these ideas could help to understand the strength and particularities of its’ influence on my work.  

Pages from 'The Goddess and the Moon Man; The Sacred Art of the Tiwi Aborigines' 

Pages from 'The Goddess and the Moon Man; The Sacred Art of the Tiwi Aborigines' 

I also believe my influences and outlook is closely connected to where I live, so it is important to look at landscapes and the geographical divides of New Zealand, not only the stereotypical mapping, but also areas of strength and differences within Maori tribes.

'Maori Art and Culture'

'Living in the Landscape' 

'Living in the Landscape' 

'Maori Art and Culture'

In terms of the influence on my artistic choices and style, I will look at both general and specific examples of Maori art and design, from all areas such as photography, drawing, illustration, conceptual art, design, architecture, carving, painting, sculpture and film. These examples will be both traditional and modern, helping me to see the evolution and change in design, but also motifs of image-making that run throughout the timescale of Maori artwork.

Page from 'The Goddess and the Moon Man; The Sacred Art of the Tiwi Aborigines' 

In terms of illustration, Maori culture relates in many aspects; the idea of both research and articles are shown in the areas of interest, such as language, songs, films, artwork, legends, and context. This subject matter provides extensive research and the ability to produce many outcomes, be they films, performance, sound, observations, interviews, fiction and non-fiction, image-making and curating, to name a few. These outcomes could explore a range of simple and complex outcomes of my research. I have also previously used some of these starting points for research within other topics, whist on Foundation, I used films by Taika waititi to record information about 'Happy/Sad' cinema, for a dear data project, I would like to explore this concept further, and to understand how this has influenced my outlook on creating purposeful artwork. 

New Zealand Carvings from book 'Modern Primitives' 

'Living in the Landscape'  

I have created work, and based research around my interest in Maori culture, within projects using film, character development and specific audiences and tone. My interest in film-maker Taika Waititi’s cinematic style, influences the choices made through language and images, that can be utilized to convey subtleties in tone and concepts. Waititi’s style of deadpan comedy and editing techniques also influenced the timing and scriptwriting choices made in some of the short films I have made throughout my foundation.

I hope to use skills such as editing, publishing, performance, writing, storyboarding, printing, and collage, as well as learning new skills, to appropriately convey my findings and personal reflection based on research. In terms of collating information, my research will take many forms such as interviews, library references, documentaries and films, observational drawing, location visits, writing and image making. Recording my findings will also range, using graphic recording, note making, research logs, publications and dialog.

Maori song : 'E Minaka Ana'. A song about Maori Language Pride. 

Kia kaha tātou Ki te (HI!) kōrero Māori! E minaka ana taku waha Ki te kai a te rangatira, Taku reo rangatira Taku kuru pounamu tuku iho. Mīharo kē ana Ki tōna pakari kia ora Tē memeha, te wairua ki te kōrero Māori Kia kaha tātou Ki te kōrero Māori!

Let us be staunch in speaking Maori! I desire that my talk be like that of a leader, my noble language my precious inheritance. Astound me with your maturity by the evanescence, the spirit you show when speaking Maori. Let us be staunch in speaking Maori!

Maori wood carving, Te Puia, Rotorua : https://youtu.be/kvbPk9WJSX0

    St Joseph's Maori Girls' College Performing 'Iwi' anthem - Toi Apiapi : https://youtu.be/rfHKEvvhrg8

I also plan to create a range of handmade 2D and 3D articles, to reflect the principles of Maori craftsmanship. I aim to understand the work and media used in traditional Maori crafts, experimenting and emulating this through projects such as Maori carving, performance with 'Poi balls' and Maori illustration, both traditional and contemporary. Using digital mediums such as layout software (InDesign and Photoshop) and photography, I hope to collate my findings into clear and engaging publications and articles.