Taonga - National Tour 2010
Atamira Dance Company lit up the international stage in 2008 performing in both Hawaii and New Caledonia. The accolades generated from these seasons have made Atamira more than just ‘world famous in New Zealand’.
Their latest work TAONGA choreographed by Louise Potiki Bryant was unveiled last year at The Auckland Festival. This October TAONGA will go ‘on the road’ and tour to four of New Zealand’s major arts festivals.
The dance is inspired by childhood memories of Louise Potiki Bryant’s Aunty Rona, who has lived on the South Island’s Catlins coast for 82 years. Her experiences are woven with the Maori myth Rona and the Moon’. TAONGA; Dust, Water, Wind is a graceful combination of Maori contemporary dance theatre and traditional Maori instruments (taonga puoro), revealing what is precious in our contemporary lives, how we cope with change and the role of intuition.
TAONGA: Dust, Water, Wind is the fifth dance work that Louise Potiki Bryant has choreographed with Atamira Dance Company since 2000. Having been supported by Toi Maori Aotearoa as a Toi Maori choreographer, her works have been held in very high regards; NZ Listener named her “Best New Choreographer” in 2003 and in 2004 named Ngai Tahu 32 as “Best Contemporary Dance Production.” Her film, Whakaruruhau he mihi ki Araiteueru has been exhibited in the United Kingdom as part of the Pasifika Styles Festival and her film Tuia won best Best Music Video at the ImagiNATIVE awards in Toronto.
Accompanying the performance is Richard Nunns, a living authority on traditional Maori musical instruments. Having dedicated his life to the understanding, making, playing and recording of these instruments, Nunns’ sensitive and thorough research has provided a great deal of information about the sound, history and stories of the instruments to ensure their preservation for future generations. Nunns also picked up a Tui award for his work for “Best Maori Album” in 2007.
Atamira is New Zealand’s leading Maori contemporary dance company and comprises New Zealand’s top Maori dancers and choreographers. Atamira create dance works inspired by Aotearoa’s history, legends and contemporary issues as well as their own stories and whakapapa. The company is critically acclaimed and renowned for their inventive and stunning contemporary works –TAONGA: Dust, Water, Wind looks to be a further extension of their iconic works.
TAONGA: Dust, Water, Wind plays in four of New Zealand most exciting arts festivals. Tickets $20- $48.
The Body Festival
Ngaio Marsh Theatre
October 9th and 10th.
03 963 0870
Otago Festival of the Arts
King's and Queen's Performing Arts Centre
October 15 and 16th.
03 4778597
Nelson Arts Festival
Theatre Royal
October 19th and 20th
03 548 3083
Manukau Arts Festival
Genesis Energy Theatre
October 27th
0800 4 842538
09 370 0486 Moss Patterson
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Member Profile
Atamira Dance CompanyATAMIRA is New Zealand’s leading Maori Contemporary dance company and comprises New Zealand’s top Maori dancers and choreographers. Atamira Dance Company create professional dance works inspired by Aotearoa’s history, legends and contemporary issues; drawing from their own personal stories and whakapapa. Critically acclaimed, the company is renowned for their inventive and stunning pieces.
We are passionate about sharing our stories, and asserting the unique and important voice Maori have in New Zealand. We create dance work that reflects these values, and contributes to the collective voice of contemporary Maori art.
Founded in 2000 as a platform for Maori choreographers and dancers, Atamira is a project-based contemporary dance company. Atamira strives for innovation and experimentation in contemporary dance and choreography, whilst respecting our cultural heritage.
ATAMIRA Dance Company is an Auckland based company, with members having tribal connections right around New Zealand. This diversity is also reflected in the individual strengths each performer brings to the collective.
We actively incorporate other art forms into our choreographic work, and collaborate with many artists on all of our dance projects. The literal meaning of the word Atamira is "stage", a deeper meaning behind Atamira relates traditionally to the platform for the dead body, and the process of caring for those who have died.
