Category Archives: Events

Te Papa’s Education Programme for the Venice Biennale

12 March 2013 – 3.18pm

Read about the education programme Helen Lloyd, Te Papa’s Senior Education Programmer’s is designing on Creative New Zealand’s NZ at Venice blog:

http://www.nzatvenice.com/

By Te Papa | Also posted in Art, Education | Tagged , | Comments (0)

For the love games and … wiggling

12 February 2013 – 3.59pm

By Te Arikirangi Mamaku, Game Masters event producer

As the countdown to 2013 quickly approached, our Summer exhibition season of Game Masters opened with a mini-invasion of aliens, super-soldiers, fantasy elves, Norse gods, and stormtroopers. Unsuspecting visitors encountered face-epainting fairies and a magician who immortalised giant heads on teeny tiny bodies. It was too much fun to handle – and drew hundreds of visitors on a rare sunny day in New Zealand’s capital city.

The local Asari occupy Te Papa’s Wellington Foyer at Game Masters opening day events, with event producer Te Arikirangi Mamaku. Photograph by Norm Heke, Te Papa

The local Asari occupy Te Papa’s Wellington Foyer at Game Masters opening day events, with event producer Te Arikirangi Mamaku. Photograph by Norm Heke, Te Papa

Adult only experiences

As the silly season came to an end, a select group of adults from around the country got a private glimpse into Game Masters, with the addition of food, drink, and special entertainment. There was a Dance Off a la Dance Central 3. (Think karaoke, but with more wiggling. A lot more wiggling.)

Michelle Wylie and Chris Parnell wiggle their way to victory at December’s Premium Experience.

Michelle Wylie and Chris Parnell wiggle their way to victory at December’s Premium Experience. Image by Big Mark Photography.

Module goes live

The first event of the New Year exploded with the force of a sonic boom and dazzling laser lights. Captain Module (aka Jeramiah Ross), and the troops from the Interrupt Collective, led his troops into battle with two spectacular live shows as he performed the music of Shatter. The second of the two shows had both full-grown adults and littlies bouncing to the rhythm of the synths. In a very public statement (Facebook status update) Captain Modge is quoted as saying that ‘he kind of felt like a Wiggle’. I’m assuming he meant an Australian Wiggle, which is sadly not as groovy as a Dance Central type of wiggle.

Module and the boys of the Interrupt Collective prepare for battle at Module Live: The Music of Shatter. Image by Big Mark Photography

Module and the boys of the Interrupt Collective prepare for battle at Module Live: The Music of Shatter. Image by Big Mark Photography

NZ gamers go wild

February came screaming in with all the rollicking hi-jinx of Wellington’s annual Rugby 7s costume party. It goes without saying that there were enough moustachioed Italian plumbers around to make a princess blush. Unfortunately, it had nothing to do with Game Masters being on, but the timing was fortuitous … for Museum folk and princesses alike.

DaFrontlineTrooper showcasing Forerunner technology at Te Papa. Image by Norm Heke, Te Papa

DaFrontlineTrooper showcasing Forerunner technology at Te Papa. Image by Norm Heke, Te Papa

As the city cleaned all the 7s fun from the streets of the Capital, Museum folk setup a display of pretend alien weaponry. It had been constructed by one frontline trooper and used in a stunning public demonstration of craftsmanship. Imagine the excitement of a 20-year-old who commands the undivided attention of over 16,000 Youtubers by literally carving out his own future. If you want another glimpse, just Google ‘dafrontline trooper’.

Valentines Date night with a difference.. and a Welsh/Samoan Comedian. Image by Big Mark Photography

Valentines Date night with a difference.. and a Welsh/Samoan Comedian. Image by Big Mark Photography

February and beyond

And hitting mid-February, you’d be foolish to miss these gatherings that carry you through to March:

  • Gamers Quest VI: Final Gear Halo Kart … Online. It’s a comedy night on Valentines. Think date night, with the added romance of gamers getting bonus points with their significant others.
  • Game Masters: The Premium Experience.  Food, drink, and videogames on a Friday night? Why not. 
  • Game Changes: The Kiwi Story. In this free family event, you get to listen to the epic stories of some of our own Game Masters. Did you realise that a guy in Hawke’s Bay has made mobile games that have peaked millions of App Store downloads? No? well … you can hear it from the proverbial horse’s mouth. 
  • Media Design School 3D Animation and Game Making. One of the presenters is an acclaimed film maker, and the other has a BAFTA (that’s the British one that played on the box on Monday). Hard to believe, but this is also a Free event. 

Bragging aside, these are definitely worth further investigation.

Final thoughts

In the next blog, I review the week’s events and highlight the superstars and sessions that feature in the epic Game Masters: The Forum. To tide you over, I’ll leave you with this little piece of mesmerising artistry.

Play it. Love it!

By Te Papa | Also posted in Exhibitions | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Do you use Facebook? We need your help!

12 February 2013 – 9.35am

A group of university students are performing a study involving Te Papa’s social media use and they need your help.

They have put this survey together, which will be open until Wednesday 13 February:
EDIT: The survey is now closed. A big thank you to all of you who took the time to complete it.

Your participation is greatly appreciated!!

By Te Papa | Also posted in News | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Shakespeare like you’ve never seen it before

8 February 2013 – 10.08am

As part of our Valentine’s Day programme, we’re performing Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet…like you’ve never seen it before.

In fair Te Papa where we lay our scene, throughout next 15-minute Shakespeare will be taking the stage. It’s a rip-roaring journey though one of the world’s most famous plays in just fifteen minutes. Will Te Papa’s performers pull it off? Come along and find out!

What’s more, we need your help. Be prepared to be pulled in for some audience interaction. You could fight a Montague, dance with a Capulet and live it up on the streets of Verona.

It’s a perfect way to spend your lunch break. Don’t like Valentine’s Day? Who cares?! We all know what happened to the star-crossed lovers in the end…

When is it happening?

Wellington Foyer, Level 2

  • 11th February, 12:15 (performance begins at 12:30)
  • 12th February, 12:15 (performance begins at 12:30)
  • 13th February, 12:15 (performance begins at 12:30)
  • 14th February, 5:45 (performance begins at 6:00)

For more information, see 15-minute Shakespeare.

By ruthbhendry | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Building Wellington’s biggest ever gingerbread house

13 December 2012 – 8.30am

This stunning house was baked by Te Papa’s Executive Chef, Bernd Lippmann. It’s the biggest ever made in Wellington! Check out the time-lapse video to see how it was done.

The tradition started in Germany, where witches have long used gingerbread as a building material. In 1812, the brothers Grimm broke this news when they wrote the fairytale Hansel and Gretel. This story offered useful tips about:

  • nasty stepmothers
  • the poor choice of crumbs as tracking material
  • the clever use of a bone to prevent consumption by witch.

All this seemed perfect for an opera, and soon German opera houses were busy making replica gingerbread houses for their performances. Bakeries were quick to join the craze. Gingerbread houses are now part of Christmas menus across Europe.

What went in

Our gingerbread house contains …

  • Flour                            296 kilograms
  • Sugar                          148 kilograms
  • Honey                          29.6 kilograms
  • Water                          74 litres
  • Butter                          44.4 kilograms
  • Baking soda                6.29 kilograms
  • Ground ginger             4.44 kilograms
  • Mixed spice                 2.22 kilograms
  • Cinnamon                   2.22 kilograms
  • Milk                              14.8 litres
  • Salt                              370 grams

Baking time: about 180 hours

Make your own!

You can make your own gingerbread house by buying a kit from the Information Desk, Te Papa Kids’ Store (Level 2), or Te Papa Cafe (Level 1). This is a limited edition of only 300! All proceeds go to Wellington Children’s Hospital.

Gingerbread house from a Te Papa kitset

Gingerbread house from a Te Papa kitset

By Te Papa | Tagged , , | Comments (2)

Weta Workshop’s Cave Trolls captivate Te Papa

30 November 2012 – 1.30pm

Standing 3.6m tall, these impressive fibreglass troll sculptures were created by the original filmartists at Weta Workshop.

William (on the left), Tom (ready to stomp) and Bert, first met their adoring audience at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2012.

They then journeyed to Wellington to greet guests on the red carpet at the World Premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and are now on loan here at Te Papa until 22 January.

Visit Te Papa’s kids store for related merchandise and see more fantastical creatures, collectibles and prop replicas from Middle-earth at the Weta Cave in Miramar.

Weta Cave Trolls in Wellington Foyer. Photo Michael Hall. © Te Papa.

Weta Cave Trolls in Wellington Foyer. Photo Michael Hall. © Te Papa.

Weta Cave Trolls in Wellington Foyer. Photo Michael Hall. © Te Papa.

Weta Cave Trolls in Wellington Foyer. Photo Michael Hall. © Te Papa.

By Te Papa | Also posted in News | Tagged , , , | Comments (2)

Module performs for Game Masters

6 November 2012 – 12.01pm

In association with Te Papa’s season of Game Masters exhibition, opening at Te Papa on 15 December, renowned electronic musician/producer Module, aka Jeramiah Ross, will perform his critically acclaimed soundtrack from the award-winning video game Shatter. He will perform two concerts at Te Papa’s Soundings Theatre on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 January 2013, 7pm–8.30pm.

Module performing Shatter Live, San Francisco Bath House, September 2012, image by Mario Wynands. Copyright: Mario Wynands

Module performing Shatter Live, San Francisco Bath House, September 2012, image by Mario Wynands. Copyright: Mario Wynands

Building on a successful production at Wellington’s San Francisco Bath House, ‘this is set to be a much larger production for a broader audience’ says Module.

The performance tells the story of a robot breaking free to escape an oppressive machine-based world. Module will single-handedly play and loop a wide range of instruments including computers, synthesizers, and electric guitars.

Attendees can expect a heady mix of French Electro, fused with 80s inspired Dance Music and driven by pounding dance rhythms, blazing solos, and keyboard embellishments.

In true Module fashion, the show will be an immersive sensory experience that will include lasers and lights. The high production standards will be supported by Wellington based digital media artists Interrupt Collective.

Module Live is set to be a truly memorable experience.

Tickets for both nights go on sale early November with a limited number of early release tickets priced at $15.00 (+ booking fee) available through Te Papa’s website. Normal ticket prices range from $12.00 for children, to  $22.00 for adults.

www.tepapa.govt.nz/gamemasters

Enquiries

For further information, contact:

Tina Norris, Manager Communications (Acting), 021 225 7538, 04 381 7233, Tina.Norris@tepapa.govt.nz

For event specific information and images, contact:

Te Arikirangi Mamaku, Events Producer, 027 250 4140,  04 381 7239, Tearikirangim@tepapa.govt.nz

By Te Papa | Also posted in Exhibitions | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Call for papers: Costume and Textile Association symposium 2013

25 October 2012 – 4.24pm

The 2013 annual symposium of the Costume and Textile Association of New Zealand (CTANZ) will be held in Auckland on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd March 2013.

Hosted by The Auckland Museum Institute in conjunction with the Centre for New Zealand Art Research and Discovery, this event promises to deliver two days of entertaining speakers united by their enthusiasm for costume and textiles.

This year’s theme Gathering: connections/recollections suggests both the act of coming together and the practice of assembling.  The 2013 symposium marks the return of the symposium to Auckland, the birthplace of CTANZ.  This theme, therefore, affords scope for a diversity of interpretations across the costumed and textiled world.

A family gathering , 16.05.1920 by Leslie Adkin. Gift of G. L. Adkin family estate, 1964. Te Papa

Interested presenters are invited to submit an abstract on this theme (no more than 300 words) and short biography to Finn McCahon-Jones at fmccahonjones@aucklandmuseum.com by Friday 25 January 2013. Word documents are preferred and please ensure that the document, not just the email, includes your name, paper title and contact email address. Successful applicants will be notified by 1 February 2013.

Successful applicants are not required to be current members of CTANZ, but will need to register for the symposium. Final presentations will be eligible for inclusion in Context, the CTANZ bi-annual publication.

 

 

 

By Claire Regnault | Also posted in Fashion, History, Textiles | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Symposium: Material Histories: Antipodean Perspectives

18 October 2012 – 9.39am

From the British Museum’s global History of the World in 100 objects to the recent gorgeous local publication Te Hao Nui The Great Catch: Object stories from Te Manawa Museum, it is clear that there is renewed interest and excitement in material culture. Antiques, vintage and retro, as well as museum collections and would be collectors are everywhere. What does this mean for the history we research, write, display and put online?

Te Papa and Massey University have joined together to host ‘Material Histories: Antipodean Perspectives’. This symposium brings together historians, curators, artists and designers, plus postgraduate students. International speakers will put research conducted locally into an international perspective. As well, there will be exhibitions and behind the scenes tours of Te Papa. Please join us to hear fascinating accounts from scholars at the cutting edge, see what is being done in print, on display and online, and be part of moving this exciting research area forward!

Date:               15-16 November 2012

Venues:           Te Ara Hihiko, Creative Arts Building, Block 12, Massey University, Wellington and Te Papa, on the Wellington Waterfront

To view the programme and register click here.

Enquiries:        Bronwyn Labrum     B.J.Labrum@massey.ac.nz

Keynote Speaker:        Professor Beverly Lemire, Professor & Henry Marshall Tory Chair, Department of History & Classics and Department of Human Ecology, Director of the Material Culture Institute, University of Alberta, Canada.

A member of the Royal Society of Canada, her publications include Fashion’s Favourite: The Cotton Trade and the Consumer in Britain, 1660-1800, (1991) Dress, Culture and Commerce, (1997), and The Business of Everyday Life: Gender, Practice and Social Politics in England, c. 1600-1900 (2005). Beverly has worked with collections at major museums in Canada, the US, Portugal, Spain, India and Britain. She has recently completed the book Cotton (2011) for Berg Publishers, in the series entitled ‘Textiles that Changed the World’. With Lesley Miller she co-edited Textile History (2002-2007), the longest-established international journal on the production, consumption, meanings and conservation of textiles and dress. The history of material culture remains one of her long-standing and continuing interests.

Other confirmed speakers include Dr Louise Purbrick (University of Brighton); Dr Graeme Were (University of Queensland); artist Areta Wilkinson; Dr Bronwyn Dalley (independent scholar); Dr Kate Hunter (Victoria University of Wellington); Kirstie Ross (Te Papa); Dr Kerry Taylor (Massey University); Fiona McKergow (independent scholar), Douglas lloyd-Jenkins and Georgina White(Hawke’s Bay Museum) plus a postgraduate panel of current students engaged in material culture studies research.

By Claire Regnault | Also posted in History, Textiles | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Calling all quilt lovers!

18 October 2012 – 9.15am

On Wednesday 14 November 2012 from 6.30 to 8.30pm visiting material-culture specialist Beverly Lemire will present an illustrated lecture on the history of the quilt entitled From Global Trade to Domestic Arts: The Spread of Quilt Culture 1600–1900.

Quilt, 1850s, England. Maker unknown. Gift of R. Miller, 1963. Te Papa

Beverly Lemire has worked with collections at major museums in Canada, the United States, Portugal, Spain, India, and Britain. Her publications include Fashion’s Favourite: The Cotton Trade and the Consumer in Britain, 1660–1800 (1991), Dress, Culture and Commerce (1997), and Cotton (2011) – for Berg Publishers, in the series entitled ‘Textiles that Changed the World’.

With Lesley Miller she co-edited Textile History (2002-2007), the longest-established international journal on the production, consumption, meanings and conservation of textiles and dress. As such she is a certainly a speaker not to miss!

This is a Friends of Te Papa event. Members of the public are also welcome to attend. Register to attend by 5pm, Tuesday 13 November.

Cost: Friends of Te Papa $15, public $20 (includes a glass of wine)

To book:

Quilt, 1700s. Maker unknown. Te Papa

Beverly Lemire From Global Trade to Domestic Arts: The Spread of Quilt Culture 1600–1900 is presented in conjunction with a symposium jointly hosted by MATTER, New Zealand’s only research cluster focussed on material culture research at Massey University and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

 

By Claire Regnault | Also posted in History, Textiles, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)
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