Gina Matchitt

Kaokao I & II

Artwork Detail

Ko ngā pātuhi rorohiko he tirohanga hou ki te tukutuku e pūwakawaka ai ngā hua o te kirihou hei whakaatu i te pūngarungau o te pango me te mā o te kaokao kia hou kē te kupu kakano, te kupu tohu. Hāngai ai ngā tukukuku e kawe ai i ngā kōrero tuku iho i roto i te wharenui, kei konei kei te tuhia ngā whakataukī ki ngā patonga rorohiko. Ko tā *Kaokao I & II*, 2006 he whakakotahi i te tawhito me te hou hei tūhura i te kawenga, i te whakawhitiwhitinga o te mātauranga ahurea i tēnei ao e nui haere ai te kaupapa matihiko.

Computer keys encode a reinterpretation of tukutuku (decorative wall panels), the undulating contours of plastic rearticulating the rippling black and white colours of a traditional kaokao pattern with a decidedly contemporary textural and symbolic vocabulary. Taking inspiration from the role of tukukuku in communicating stories in wharenui (meeting houses), here the computer keys spell out whakataukī (Māori proverbs). Amalgamating the customary with the contemporary, *Kaokao I & II*, 2006 explores the transmittance and communication of cultural knowledge in an increasingly digitised world.

Title
Kaokao I & II
Artist/creator
Gina Matchitt
Production date
2006
Medium
recycled computer keys and composite wood
Dimensions
1840 x 320 x 40 mm
Credit line
Collection of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira [2007.60.1-2]
Accession no
X2020/126.1-2
Copyright
Copying restrictions apply
Department
New Zealand Art
Display status
Not on display

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