Genesis of a creative dream

Rachael Rakena’s 3D video artwork, Haka Peepshow, unveiled in the Octagon last Friday, has been a dream long waiting to be realised.

Ms Rakena says she has had the concept evolving in her imagination for quite some years, but partly due to lack of access to the necessary technology, she wasn’t able to realise it until now.

Approached late last year by the DCC Art in Public Places Committee, Ms Rakena seized the opportunity presented to initiate the development of her concept and begin the journey to create this provocative and memorable artwork.

The timing seemed to be right, with funding available from Ngāi Tahu, and the willingness of the Otago Polytechnic to offer resources and space.

Suzanne Ellison, spokesperson for Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki says, “Kati Huirapa ki Puketeraki congratulates Rachael Rakena on capturing, in sumptuous 3D, different faces of haka from the youthful exuberance and energy of our rangatahi through to the most experienced and skilled exponents of the art of haka. Her work gives visitors and residents alike a ‘peep’ into the world of haka.”

While Haka Peepshow was not finally funded by the Art in Public Places Committee, but rather through the DCC’s Marketing budget, its significance to Dunedin’s artistic landscape has been lauded by members of the Committee and members of both of the city’s runaka.

Edward Ellison, Chairperson of Te Runanga o Otakou says, “The art work and the conversation the artist brings to the city is creative and will enrich our understanding of the underlying issues it draws inspiration from.”

The sense of synchronicity was enhanced further just before the unveiling of the artwork, as Sky Sports announced its intention to run commercial breaks immediately after RWC 2011 teams perform their haka, and before kick-off.