First Contact: Michel Tuffery - Festival First Night

Acclaimed New Zealand artist Michel Tuffery M.N.Z.M. presents a 12-storey high multi-media projection artwork based on Captain Cook's exploration of the South Pacific. Linking history into 21st century visual and sound bites, Tuffery incorporates material recorded by the scientists and artists from the three voyages under Captain James Cook to the South Pacific with live performances by Sydney's Echoes of Polynesia, DJ Nomad and Rayjah 45.

Of particular interest to Tuffery is the artwork undertaken by Tupaia during Cook's first voyage.  Unlike the paintings by Banks, Parkinson and other on-board artists, Tupaia's work represents the scenes from a Polynesian perspective (Dame Anne Salmond, The Trial of the Cannibal Dog). Utilising archival records, artefacts, text and pictorial collections specifically sourced from Cook's voyages upon the Endeavour, Tuffery revives the sound, form and layered textures of this historical material and transforms Chifley Square into an island paradise.

‘I want to extend the surrounding stories of these objects which were once contemporary in themselves, by reawakening sound, giving new life to historical images and text again through motion, not just have them static and fading into obscurity sitting in Museums but actually being woken up and talked to again.' Michel Tuffery M.N.Z.M., February 2007

Director: Michel Tuffery M.N.Z.M
Music Director: Daimon Schwagler (The Nomad)
MC: Rayjah 45
Video Content Developer: Jason Naran
Performers: Echoes of Polynesia

Acknowledgements:
Tuffery Art Management
National Film and Sound Archive
Creative New Zealand
Dame Anne Salmond - The Trial of the Cannibal Dog

Photo: Trent O'Donnell & Michel Tuffery