May 16, 2022: 4:08am – 4:31pm
12 hours, 23 minutes
LIVE PERFORMANCE + TIME-LAPSE + DURATIONAL VIDEO WORK OF THE SAME LENGTH
originally scheduled for:
March 29, 2020: 8:16am – 8:35pm
postponed due to COVID-19
Please see the video of Phase 1 work on the PROCESS page.
When doing early research for the project, Sunde was struck by the significance of the sunken continent of Zealandia and the rapidity at which pacific islands are facing the effects of global rising water levels. Soon thereafter, she learned about Polynesian navigation and the ingenuity of the first people to arrive in Aotearoa. The strength and resilience of the Māori people is awe-inspiring. From an international perspective, Aotearoa is leading the way in conversations around conservation, respect for waters, and the more-than-human world. Partners at AUT and Te Uru Gallery suggested the Manukau Harbour as a site that is under-represented in the greater Tāmaki Makaurau area.
The solo exhibition took place at:
Te Uru Wāitakere Contemporary Gallery, Titirangi
February 22 – July 5, 2020
Each durational video artwork was shown as a two-channel video installation, looped, over the course of a month:
36.5 / North Sea
36.5 / Bay of Bengal
36.5 / Bay of All Saints
36.5 / Bodo Inlet
More info on the Te Uru Gallery website and about the planned performance here.
Sunde arrived in Aotearoa on March 3, 2020 and spent three wonderful weeks searching for the specific spot to stand, meeting people, building a team and developing the project on the ground with wonderful collaborators. Meanwhile COVID-19 was spreading around the world and on March 25, just four days before the scheduled performance, the country went into lockdown. Sunde returned home to New York City immediately.
The borders have been closed ever since.
On May 2, 2022, the borders will open again after 2+ years. If all goes well, Sunde will travel back to Aotearoa on May 3 and the performance will take place on May 16.
36.5 / Te Manukanukatanga ō Hoturoa is dedicated to Tavalea Fanguna.