The multimedia Bird Like Men performances bring together the artistry of Tararua - an ensemble of four established artists - Al Fraser, Ariana Tikao, Ruby Solly and Phil Boniface;  each leaders in their fields, along with visual artist, Louise Pōtiki Bryant. 

Louise created a one hour video work to accompany Tararua in the performances of 

For Bird Like Men, Tararua’s music and Louise’s video design both draw inspiration from Ana Whakairo / Māori rock art depictions of bird people at the Maerewhenua site in Otago, whānau manuscripts of Tīkao and kōrero from Kāi Tahu Whānui. 

 is a contemplation on migration and travel and the deeply embedded desire that draws us to return to our spiritual homelands.

This 2 minute video of moments from the video design is edited to an excerpt from the instrumental track Aroraki by Tararua. Aroraki serves as a sonic fly-over of Te Waipounamu, as well as a tribute to Hinearoraki, atua wahine of flight, and mother of Māui.

Bird Like Men

Louise Pōtiki Bryant has been the video designer for many productions by Atamira Dance Company including 

 draws upon the whakapapa of Atamira Dance Company’s 21 years and is inspired by the symbology of the Octopus as kaitiaki. This full-length work was collectively created by leading artists of Māori contemporary dance. Solo and ensemble movement expressions occur within a shape shifting world of floating black silk and mesmeric video, sound, costume and lighting design.

“Atamira Dance Company continues to offer us complex, significantly crafted contemporary Māori dance." Megan Seawright, Theatreview 21 April 2021

Te Wheke

Louise  has been the video designer for three dance productions by Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, including 

 by Santee Smith is a women’s renewal ceremony. Conceived through an Indigenous creation process, it’s a spiritual resurgence, a piecing together of shards of knowledge, tipping colonialism on its head. The performance touches and moves forward through themes of dislocation from land, body and voice, the history of violence against Indigenous women since contact, residential schools, assimilative process of Canada's Indian Act towards reclaiming women’s medicine, power and connection to land and creative force.

Founded in 2005 by Artistic Director Santee Smith, Kaha:wi Dance Theatre's home community is 

(Six Nations of the Grand River) and home city is Tkarón:to’/Toronto, ON.

To see more about Kak:wi Dance Theatre  go to:  https://www.kahawidance.org/

Re-Quickening