Work
Tohu
a soundscape to support an exhibition
About
The music of this exhibition is intended to accompany the paintings and carvings and to add greater depth and expansion to the stories held within. We commence with Tangaroa, god of the sea, and the instruments he rendered: pūtatara, pūpakapaka plus kōauau and ororuarangi made from toroa (Albatross) bone and a tumutumu from a tohorā (whale) jaw bone. The sound of the hoe (oars) can be heard, and when at rest, calls of the tohorā are transmitted through the hull of the waka.
Landfall is met with tawhirimatea playing with harakeke as the pūpū harakeke (snail shell) sings. The pūkaea heralds the realm of Tāne where we hear karanga manu, kōauau and pūtorino. The call of the pipiwharauroa features a rangi by Hirini Melbourne. Finally the voices of Hine Pū Te Hue lead us to the calmness of night, Te Po.
Contents note
from an exhibition featuring paintings by Robin Slow and carvings by Brian Flintoff