Surface Movments is a collaborative place-based project, led by local artist Alex Monteith, that will culminate in a free surf lesson at Te Piha; Piha Beach, Tamaki Makaurau in February 2016.
Leading New Zealand artist and former surf champion Alex Monteith has a long interest in our economic and ecological relationship to specific localities. Using the format of a free surf lesson, Monteith offers an experience of being in Piha that connects participants to local political and cultural contexts. Promoting barrier-free access to the lesson is important, and the event is open to people of all ages (over the age of 6) and all abilities. Collaboration with a number of partiesis also vital to facilitating the surf lesson. Monteith will collaborate with Piha communities connected with the ocean; particularly the surf schools of Piha, surfers with a history at Piha, local historians , including Pita Turei, Piha Surf Life Saving Club, and locals at large to create a lesson that foregrounds the various economical, ecological and cultural meanings that Piha Beach holds for mulitple groups simultaneously.
Accompanying the live, participatory performance event is an exhibition at Te Uru. Over the course of February, custom-made rash vests will be installed in a gallery space, their function latent until they are used in the surf lesson, before being re-installed again in the gallery space. Video footage from the event will later be added to the exhibition.
Surface Movements at Piha Beach and Te Uru extends projects that Alex has undertaken at Lyall Bay, Wellington, and Shark Alley, Mt Maunganui Tauranga, but is the first in her own community.
Details of the event and exhibition will be added to a Te Uru Facebook page and website page as details unfold.
Surface Movements: a live surf lesson as performance event
14 February 2016, Piha Beach
Surface Movements: an accompanying exhibition
30 January – 13 March 2016, Te Uru