Two shows, one night - but how to describe them?
Daniel Belton is one of the principal brains behind Pōtaka Nautilus and Pepe; two dance films, which are also concerts for four of Aotearoa's finest exponents of taonga pūoro, and also come with a light show.
Oh, and the venue itself is also one of the performers, according to Belton.
Belton spoke with RNZ Concert host Bryan Crump ahead of the performances in Dunedin's Glen Roy Auditorium on Saturday 29 March.
As a film projects a video of the two dances into the auditorium - Pepe (Te Reo for moth) and Pōtaka Nautilus (inspired by native NZ land snails) - a taonga pūoro quartet of Ariana Tikao, Dr Ruby Solly, Mahina-Ina Kingi-Kaui and Alistair Fraser will perform live over the top of an electronic sound bed.
Good Company Arts' Pōtaka Nautilus - facade projection, Christchurch Arts Centre Cloisters Studio Photo: Good Company Arts
The two shows require a cast of about 30, gathered together by the production outfit Good Company Arts which Belton founded and runs with his partner in life and art, Donnine Harrison.
The pair specialises in putting on multimedia shows in all sorts of venues around the world, from factory walls to art galleries.
Belton says each venue is part of the artwork in itself, and the "wonderful" Glen Roy space is no exception.
Does that mean the performance is a one off?
"Yes and no," says Belton. While a different venue will make for a different show, Pepe and Pōtaka Nautilus could be just as effective in an old warehouse, or the side of a factory wall.
