All That You Breathe, Reading Room Commission, Victoria University of Wellington - Te Herenga Waka, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, 2013

All that you breathe responds to the concept of the Reading Room as a vessel that contains precious objects of value above the ground. The concept of elevating objects of value is an idea common to many cultures including Māori and Pacific and allows reference to the pātaka (storehouse).  

The designs are based on kōwhaiwhai (rafter paintings) and siapo (bark cloth) designs that are translations and reflections of the natural world. The development of the design includes a new motif of the taro and motifs from Hutchinson’s past works, her signature cut-out concertina works on black builders’ paper, and digital animation works. These designs have been redrawn with consideration to the angles and perspective of a visitor to the space and to give some of the designs a three dimensional look and feel. Arrangements of hue vines and taro leaf designs form a narrative that values the mauri and wairua of mahinga kai (gardening, cultivation). These interpretive works set the tone for study, reflection and contemplation.         

The inspiration for these works comes from ideas of support, whether they be infrastructural of the architecture or nature. Hutchinson’s works often reference the concepts and aesthetics of whare whakairo (carved houses), the natural landscape, and mahinga kai.  The preservation and importance of these references as resources to our world, from the natural world are structural supports of a multicultural community. 

Esteemed Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu kaumatua and Victoria University deputy vice-chancellor (Māori) Piri Sciascia ONZM (1946-2020) performed karakia for the new artworks.