Tiana Krafft-Soffe is a multi-disciplinary artist, weaving together movement, lens, sound, and digital processes. Her practice centers movement of the body as an intuitive, genealogical pathway to knowledge. Through movement, she explores the body as vā, an open channel of whakapapa. Incorporating visual and sonic artforms, Tiana shares her understanding of the being as multi-dimensional, to ignite a deepened bodily awareness. Tiana has trained in ballet and contemporary dance, and has completed a Bachelor of Design majoring in Mātauranga Toi Māori and Photography. She is currently working towards completing a Master of Fine Arts at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Massey University.
Ben Girven is a contemporary art photographer, engaging the camera-less medium of the photogram. His whakaahua (photographs/photography) take form on location, with a pulse of light, in whenua, ngahere, awa and moana, embodying maramataka (Māori lunar calendar) as methodology. Girven extends perceptions of wā (space-time), light and energy, exploring relational spaces activated in wānanga, through connection with art, each other, and the world. Te taiao (our environment/ourselves) is creator, camera, and darkroom, blurring distinction between the agents of photographic engagement and affirming whakaahua to be an indigenous medium. Ben received a Bachelor of Design in Mātauranga Toi Māori and Photography, and has completed a Master of Fine Arts at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, Massey University.
Sylvie Aroha is a dance artist living in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. She is curious about dance as a process of change, connection, deconstruction, trying, questioning, feeling and being - a way of 'holding on' within dynamic and unstable environments. Sylvie trained at Tarrant Dance Studios, and has danced at workshops in Aotearoa, Salzburg, Vienna, Brussels, West Kerry, London, and Barcelona. She is studying her Masters in Dance Movement Therapy through Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.
A special thank you to Riki Pirihi for creating the taonga puoro recordings, and to Evan Taylor for mixing the soundscape.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi engari taku toa he toa takitini - My success is not that of an individual, but the strength of many.
Ngā mihi nui to the generosity of many who provided their support, time, knowledge, and dedication to bring Te Ao Raranga to light; Kura Puke, Matt Tini, Riki Pirihi, Shannon Te Ao, Israel Randell, Mike Bridgeman, Stuart Foster, Antony Nevin, the wider teaching faculty at Massey University, Te Papa, Streamliner Productions, Port Nicholson Block Trust, Andrew Croot, Pippa Sanderson, and Wellington City Council.
Thank you to our whānau for upholding our wellbeing in the process, this project is infused with your care.