Music
Ad Parnassum – Purapurawhetū
Chamber ensemble (2-7 players), Works with taonga pūoro, Collaborations, Dance, Film and theatre
A cross-disciplinary collaboration using dance and film, with music for string quartet and taonga pūoro
Ad Parnassum – Purapurawhetū was first presented during Matariki on 21 June 2022 in the North Quad of the Christchurch Arts Centre. The pre-recorded music is performed by the New Zealand String Quartet with Alistair Fraser (taonga pūoro).
About the work
Designed and directed by Daniel Belton of Good Company Arts, Ad Parnassum – Purapurawhetū is a 30-minute film combining digitally re-choreographed dance and music. It is based on Paul Klee’s painting, Ad Parnassum.
My music accompanies the film where the dancers become part of a shared visual and sculptural language bringing together Pacific and Mediterranean influences. Music drives the work which carries 9 women in an elongated vista — a singing bowl brimming with movement and colour codes.
Creative team
Other members of the creative team were creative producer and designer, Donnine Harrison and fashion designer, Kate Sylvester.
The Good Company Arts digital film team were Daniel Belton (cameras, film designer, film editor, post production choreography, motion graphics, audio mastering), Jac Grenfell (motion graphics, Cinema 4D, 2D animation, audio design), Nigel Jenkins, Josef Belton (kinetic props), Bradon McCaughey (cameras) and Stuart Foster (spatial lighting, props, cameras).
The choreographers and dance performers were Nancy Wijohn, Kelly Nash, Jahra Wasasala, Christina Guieb, Laura Saxon-Jones, Lucy-Margaux Marinkovich, Neve Pierce, Kiki Miwa and Stephanie Halyburton.
Score and recording
The score for this work is not available.
Watch the film on the Good Company Arts website, where there is also more information about the work.
Ad Parnassum – Purapurawhetū — Good Company Arts
A promotional video created for the premiere gives a taster of the work.
Ad Parnassum – Purapurawhetū — promo video
Interviews
Daniel Belton was interviewed on RNZ’s arts programme, Standing Room Only ahead of the premiere.
Ad parnassum – Purapurawhetū dance film series — RNZ
The Otago Daily Times interviewed Daniel and me about our collaboration.
Reviews
The premiere was reviewed by Dr Ian Lochhead for Theatre Review.
Ad Parnassum – Purapurawhetū — Theatre Review
There was also a review by Erin Harrington.
Review: Matariki at The Arts Centre — Flat City Field Notes
Award
In March 2023, Ad Parnassum – Purapurawhetū was presented at the Paris Women Festival based in Ontario, Canada. I was awarded Best Woman Composer for my score.