THIS IS NOT A DRILL

As part of the exhibition "Re-Stor(y)ing Oceania," curated by Taloi Havini, artist Latai Taumoepeau presents a new choral and participatory work entitled "Deep Communion sung in minor (ArchipelaGO, THIS IS NOT A DRILL)."

The work, a 16-channel immersive sound installation, represents Taumoepeau's interpretation of the ancient choral ritual Me'etu'upaki, where me'e stands for dance, tu'u means standing and paki - with paddles.

An arena composed of paddling machines evokes mass congregational worship and invites the audience to interact with the work. When the 8 machines are activated simultaneously, the voices of Pacific Islanders performing the Me'etu'upaki are amplified, awakening global attention to the dangers of deep-sea mining.

The installation can be activated by visitors on the opening days of Ocean Space.

On selected dates, the space will be enlivened by the performance "THIS IS NOT A DRILL," choreographed by Latai Taumoepeau and performed by local sports teams and community groups.

THIS IS NOT A DRILL will be performed again on Saturday, April 20, 6:30pm, as part of the event "Ocean Evening".

Mousse Magazine & Publishing will be present with a pop-up bookstore as Ocean Space's Media Partner.

Latai Taumoepeau (b:1972 Gadigal Ngura (Sydney), Australia) makes live-art-work. Her faiva (body-centred practice) is from her homelands, the Island Kingdom of Tonga and her birthplace the Eora Nation. She mimicked, trained and un-learned dance, in multiple institutions of learning, beginning with her village, a suburban church hall, the club and a university. Her faiva (performing art) centres Tongan philosophies of relational vā (space and time); cross-pollinating ancient and everyday temporal practice to make visible the impact of climate crisis in the Pacific. Latai conducts urgent environmental movements and actions to assist transformation in Oceania.