Various Artists with Nicholas & Beth

The Pūrākau of Hatupatu and Kurungaituku is the story of a young warrior who is captured by a part-woman, part bird creature named Kurungaituku.

Artistic Director and Writer Tānemahuta Gray provides a humanistic and romantic portrayal of the Pūrākau that delves into the nuances of the pair's relationship.

With a performance design influenced by the aerial style of De La Guarda; Hatupatu | Kurungaituku: A Forbidden Love provides an immersive experience for attendees.

Nicholas spoke to Artistic Director and Writer Tānemahuta Gray about the Pūrākau behind the show as well as the shows De La Guarda inspiration.

Beth catches up with Director Faith Ward and producer Mikaela Stroud of the queer kitchen-sink drama Love Makes the Bed It Lies In. They chat about the play and the process of translating the screenplay to the stage. Love Makes the Bed It Lies In is set in the socially conservative, early 1960s Aotearoa, it is debuting on Friday 23rd February at the Factory Theatre, Onehunga.

Red Mole was a countercultural theatre company known for their artistic and political experimental styles. Hailing from the University of Auckland in the 1970s, the group performed regularly in Aotearoa before travelling to New York.

The documentary showed at the New Zealand International Film Festival last year, and is now showing at cinemas across the country.

I had a chat with the director, Professor Annie Goldson, about the making of the film and her own experiences with Red Mole.

E whai ake nei, coming up on the show today, Frances' last Various Artists! 

Liam chats to Damien Levi, Mary Catherine, and Tate Fountain about The Showcase, an up coming poetry event taking place as part of Auckland Pride, as well as Krishna Istha about First Trimester, also taking place as a part of Auckland Pride. 

Frances speaks to AD Schierning and James Gatt, the director and curator of Te Uru Waitakere about an upcoming auction to boost their funding. She also speak with Amanda Hereaka from Creative New Zealand about our selections fo the 2024 Venice Biennale, and Ruth Buchanan, director of Artspace to hear about their 2024 theme and new show Priorities opening this evening

And, of course, we have your art guide for Tamaki Makarau this week.