Shangri La, Chews Lane Precinct, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, 2009
Before the settlement of Wellington the area of land that Chews Lane occupies was originally the seabed and shoreline. The original bay was surrounded in native bush which was also known for its towering totara trees. The artwork Shangri La is a series of animations that observe and proposition the physical architecture of the lane by implanting a virtual reality conceptual landscape acknowledging the area’s cultural and natural history. Shangri La, the first virtual binocular experience installed outdoors in New Zealand, weaves landscapes and stories around Chews Lane. The animations, set in specific areas of Chews Lane, show shoreline waves, plant and bird life that were present prior to land reclamation, and two taniwha associated with the harbour.
Tangi-te-keo Mt Victoria is a prominent landmark of the Wellington landscape. From there, one can see most of Wellington Harbour. Legend has it that two taniwha lived in the harbour (which at that time was an enclosed lake). One was a restless, energetic taniwha named Ngake, who longed to escape its confinements and swim to open sea. It sped about in the north east corner of the harbour around Waiwhetū, using its tail to build up the shallow area, and then hurled itself at the rocks encircling the lake, and smashed through to escape to the freedom of Raukawa Moana Cook Strait.
The other taniwha, Whātaitai, decided to make his escape through another exit. Pushing off with its tail, and in doing so forming the Ngauranga gorge, Whātaitai headed off down the other side of the island of Motu Kairanga Miramar Peninsula only to get stuck by the receding tide Ngake had let in. Whātaitai's body thus forms the isthmus between the former island of Motu Kairanga and the western side of the harbour, where the airport is now situated. It is believed Tangi-te-keo was named after the soul of Whātaitai, which, after leaving the taniwha's body, flew up to the top of this hill in the shape of a bird and proceeded to tangi (weep and mourn).
From Tangi-te-keo one can also see Matiu/Somes Island and Makaro/Ward Island. Named by Kupe, Matiu and Makaro were always regarded as a place of refuge. However, their lack of fresh water supply meant they were never occupied on a long term basis, and no structures were erected on these islands.
Credits:
Artist/Producer: Lonnie Hutchinson, Direction, Design: Pete Lipponen (Virtuo) Animation and Sound: Dan Mace (Remote), Digital Binocular Station and Software: Eric Woods (Mind Space Solutions), Music: Anika Moa (Mushroom Records), Voices for the of the Taniwha, Ngaki and Whātaitai: Sinalei & Losanna Tuiletufuga Hutchinson. Special thanks to: Willis Bond (for funding the project), Jaime Lawrence (Athfield Architects), LT McGuinness Construction, and Sevens Electrical.
