Art in the Dark 2011

Touch & Die Collective supported two performance works in this years Art in the Dark 2011. When I grow up - by Jules Turner and The Homeless Marae - by Melissa Durbin. Both performances were a great success and completely changed the dynamics of the Art in the Dark event as they gathered crowds and interacted. 

The Homeless Marae roved through upper Western Park much to the audiences delight stopping intermittently to sing songs to listening ears and recite parts of its mihi as a manuhiri attempting to be welcomed and made to feel at home in the park. The Homeless Marae Project is a performance installation that responds to the issues of homelessness, belonging, cultural identity and alienation in New Zealand.

When I grow up was a mesmerising performance art work Jules Turner, Rya Allen, Mandy Alves, Lucy McGall and Nataljer Emeschajmer moved through Western Park in short, choreographed, site specific performances dressed in suits decorated with LED lights. The soundtrack accompanying this piece was composed by Russell Woller.

The work intends to evoke feelings of wonder, confusion and indeterminability as performers traverse from visibility into darkness and interact with the audience, drawing on themes of touch and desire.