what do we do, with the timelines we inherit through whakapapa?

Genesis is the first phase of a larger project investigating the different timelines that weave us together through whakapapa/blood data/genealogy. is this really my lifetime or is it a patchwork of my ancestors experiences? How to we find the place we came from, before we descended into the layers of flesh?

Genesis was invited to open the 2021 pūtahi festival of performing arts in pōneke/wellington – a platform for rangatahi to showcase works in development – as part of the wellington fringe festival.

“The 15 minute dance work starts with a gripping heartbeat and silhouette of neat bodies huddled together, immediately, I am are drawn into the casts breath and pulse .The scene is set to be a creation story of sorts. The small troupe of five dancers elaborate a story of growing, learning and what seems like fighting for existence...Into what seems to be a new stage of growth embodied by a new member of the cast, a soft wave and precise flow accented by rebounds and beat stop starts..a feeling of release. With beautiful continuity, aesthetics from the flyer and media decorated the hallway before entering the space, where also several framed paintings hung from bamboo stands. A very personal story told through dance and liquid smooth movement vocabulary is something I’ve grown to expect from the self proclaimed Mana Wahine’s work, WORTH IT. Periodt.“

– Audience member, Mānoa teaiwa.

creative direction and choreography: ehetere rua

performed by: Ehetere rua, Neeketa Tavite, Sheldon rua, Joseph asi and Montell nickel

Sound and lighting technician: karena letham

festival producers: vanessa immink & ella carling