Curatorial Statement
In 2021, we searched for connection, being seen, heard, held, together. But where can we go from here? As we continue to live in a global pandemic? What to do with the challenges of the climate crisis? What can we learn? Who can we trust? And what can we say, for certain, will come?
Throughout the last year we’ve heard everyone from arm-chair scientists to politicians, celebrities and even ourselves stating certainties. But what is certain?
Whakapapa / Night follows day / Death / Chaos / Change / Ageing / Destruction / Loss / Mistakes / Need for shelter, food, water / Need for community / Body / Difference / Now / Nothing / Uncertainty
Throughout the last year we’ve heard everyone from arm-chair scientists to politicians, celebrities and even ourselves stating certainties. But what is certain?
Whakapapa / Night follows day / Death / Chaos / Change / Ageing / Destruction / Loss / Mistakes / Need for shelter, food, water / Need for community / Body / Difference / Now / Nothing / Uncertainty
E hoki ki ō maunga kia purea ai
koe e ngā hau o Tāwhirimātea
Return to your mountains so that you can be cleansed by the winds of Tāwhirimātea
How do we sit with this moment and not just look forward to a 'return to normal'? How does art sit with this moment? How does Whakatū?
Moving with the wind, sitting with the chaos, playing with our absolutes, celebrating our most basic needs, being present to now.
NELSON ARTS FESTIVAL 2022
A FESTIVAL WHICH
MOVES / SITS / PLAYS / DESTABILISES
CERTAINTY
Lydia Zanetti, Te Kaihautū | Executive & Artistic Director, Nelson Arts Festival