**<< \\//::\\// O O O \\//::\\// >>**

**<< \\//::\\// O O O \\//::\\// >>**

Music Digital – New media art

<< Talofa lava, Malo e lelei, Kia Orana, Fakalofa lahi atu, Bula Vinaka, Tena koutou ma, YOYO >>

** THE PROJECT

I stared for a long time at the sepia photos of Pasifika people, taken at the International Exhibition in Hagley Park in 1906. I had no idea that 116 years ago, Pasifika people visited Canterbury. They’d come to perform, standing straight in their stiff colonial clothing and hard shoes.

The Victorian era concept of eugenics and human curiosity left me wondering how my Pasifika ancestors came to be part of this exhibition, as a living display? My recent Pacific law studies of historic colonialism and how this knowledge impacts on my heritage as a Pasifika person has reawakened the emotion of colonialism in my mind.

** THE PROCESS

For this project, I will explore these concepts by creating new music and digital works in response to the images found of Canterbury’s Pasifika visitors in 1906. Images and found objects will inform and act as prompts for my creative process. I will record local Pasifika percussion and blend these with curated hip hop drum kits and samples that I will create.

The new music works will be curated along with digital media images, gifs or short film. The completed response and project will feature in a relevant setting in Ōtautahi in 2023. The music will be released on music platforms in early 2023.

The final project will be donated to Christchurch Museum & New Zealand National Library.

** WHAT WILL THE FUNDS BE USED FOR?

Your donation will help fund a trip to Niue for ancestral information and research, provide for the hireage of recording equipment, koha for musicians, koha for cultural advice, and a stipend to create the works.

** WHY YOUR SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL & HOW YOU CAN HELP

This project will create an updated perspective, contributing to the limited body of arts and historical knowledge regarding our Pasifika visitors in 1906. **<< \\//::\\// O O O \\//::\\// >>** supports the ongoing growth of Pasifika & Moana arts in Canterbury, confirming a diverse arts landscape while dispelling acculturation and avoiding a diminished sense of identity.

** ABOUT J.3PK - Jeffery Kalauta (he, him, ia)

I am a Pasifika producer, audio engineer and multimedia artist, creating and releasing lo-fi hip-hop and percussive beatz on Spotify and Instagram. Although born in Tāmaki Makaurau, Ōtautahi is my home. I’m a parent to a seven-year-old supakid! And currently, a full-time law student at Canterbury University.

** THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT