Art Theory: BVA 313 - 19/03/2019 (Lisa Reihana)

Lisa Reihana 

The meaning of Emissaries (Emissary): a person sent as a diplomatic representative on a special mission

The layers of meaning in in the pursuit of venus 

It is about captain cook's voyage to Tahiti to record the trans of the venus local history, local story.

She is interested in story telling, along with costume design. Costume act as representation of a specific genre. 

Art student, where we are looking for and how we understand history.(Who is retelling a story) 

Technological aspect is being look into, a work like hers is possible. Based on the development of paper and printing technology. Who were able to own such prestige document. 

This series will be looking into another component, telescope. To investigate the aspect of viewing. who is looking at who, what should they be looking at? 

Why the exhibition is called Lisa Reihana: Emissaries

Inspired by the meaning of the word, thinking about as a notion. Who is the person who comes and speak on behave of people in a political level. As a memorandum 

Highlighted on captain cook, the tale of explorer that's into the science of the world. Helping the aboriginals to fight for their rights and respect.

Large portrait depicts aspiration and hopes of an individual. Her works also reflects on nowadays political issue along with the comparison of political issue before. 

Going to Venice Biennale

Creative New Zealand: Logistic and sponsorship.

Te papa: Education aspect. 

Fund Rising, exhibition and approaches.

Aim is to open more door for creative arts in New Zealand. 

Team in producing her digital media work as a film maker. 

She implies message on women's right in her work, as she was driven by the contemporary issues of how women is being treated and portrayed. 

Script writing and storytelling is her favorite in expression herself. Huge influence by her mother's occupation as a stage performer. Lisa was attracted to the costume and performance done by the artist. Now she looks into mask (use alot in theater). Mask is a representation of a Maori soldier in one of her work, Tui for Tuki: house of death. A great representation of Maori history. Maori wouldn't paint or depicted any spiritual imagery of their own not until they pass away. Incorporate alot of theatrical terms, associated with plays too. She uses the mask to represent the courage of standing up, the courage to fight back from all of the judgments and negativity. 

Making a time-based art

As a video art artist, she works within a group to present her work, in the pursuit of Venus. While doing this project, there are many things needed to take into consideration. 

1. Why was Joseph Dufour's wallpaper the starting point of in the pursuit of Venus? The first moment she saw the work (approx 10 years ago at a gallery in Australia), her head was filled with confusion. It was suppose to be a depiction of aboriginal and Pacific people rather than that, it was a group of Indians. She set a mission to correct the scene through her digital works. 
2. How do you move from an idea of an art work to putting into practice? She put many things into consideration. Like the horizontal line of the horizon of sun, the style of video, all sort because once a setting has been implied, it will be hard to remove as this is a digital work. 

Here is a video of her work, in pursuit of venus. Enjoy :)