Walking about: Christina Houghton, Wayfinding Waikumete

How do we navigate urban environments through wayfaring? Using actions of recovery and discovery, guided by maramataka, Christina Houghton invites you to join a series of gentle walks that navigate the urban environment of Glen Eden. Following the subtle signs that locate us while noticing the seasonal markers, we will move through Waikumete cemetery towards Waikumete Stream, and through Glen Eden Mall. Wayfinding Waikumete investigates the lost name of Waikumete (waters of the kumete bowl), unveiling stories of past, present and future over a number of walks. The first walk by Christina will track the history of Waikumete through its iconic cemetery beginning with the northern line train trip to Waikumete (now the Western Line).

Meet at Mt Eden Station at 4.10 pm to catch the 4:17 train and begin the exploration. The train journey is part of the walk experience, setting the scene and connecting the audience to the early practice of transporting loved ones and mourners to the cemetery. Bring your hop card or buy a 2 zone ticket to Glen Eden station from the ticket machine on arrival.

Wayfinding Waikumete is one of 12 walking projects as part of Walking about, a contemporary art series that explores the relationship between walking and art curated by Christina Houghton and Melissa Laing, in partnership with Te Uru. Starting in September 2019 and finishing in August 2020, twelve artists will create walks-as-artworks and artworks-as-walks, and invite the public to join them in moving through the spaces of Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, co-creating the works with their passage.

The participating artists are: Suzanne Cowan, Vanessa Crofskey, Christina Houghton, Melissa Laing, Jeremy Leatinu’u, Andrew McMillan, Richard Orjis, Rosanna Raymond, val smith, Pita Turei, Layne Waerea and Becca Wood.

Walking about takes place from September 2019 – August 2020. Individual walks will be announced at walkingabout.nz and on Te Uru’s website and social media pages.

Walking about has received generous support from Auckland Council, Albert-Eden Local Board and Whau Local Board.

For Wayfinding Waikumete, we invite you to wear an item of black clothing in recognition of rituals for passing and commemoration.

Numbers are limited. Please register at: www.eventbrite.co.nz

23 November

Meet at Mt Eden Station to begin the exploration.