The Hauntology of Inheritance: Suzanne Cowan and Rodney Bell

Through the work The Hauntology of Inheritance, dancers and choreographers Suzanne Cowan and Rodney Bell explore ideas of family heritage, the history of colonisation in New Zealand and notions of partnership. The Byers Walkway carries the name of Cowan’s ancestors and marks their role as early settlers in the Piha area. Through traversing the Byers Walkway together, Bell and Cowan interrogate the legacy that Pakeha have inherited in the 21st century and pay respects to Te Kawerau a Maki as tangata whenua of the area.

As dancers, Rodney and Suzanne both have the lived experience of disability which gives them a unique perspective on navigating and choreographing space. They ask how we honour our own desire to access the forest and be an active part of the lived ecology that surrounds us. With a particular interest in accessing Tane Mahuta, the deity of the forest, they invite us to attune to the environment and consider the role of self-care, kinaesthetic empathy, interdependence and intercorporeality (including the human and non-human).

Ko Puketotara te maunga | Puketotara is the mountain
Ko Waitakere te awa | Waitakere is the river
Ko te Wao nui a Tiriwa te ngahere | The Great Forest of Tiriwa is the forest
Ko nga Tai Whakatu a Kupe te moana | The raised seas of Kupe is the ocean
Ko Te Au o Te Whenua te tangata | Te Au o Te Whenua is the person
Ko Te Kawerau a Maki te iwi | Te Kawerau a Maki is the tribe
Tihei mauri ora! | Let there be life!

The Hauntology of Inheritance is one of twelve projects as part of Walking about, a contemporary art series that explores the relationship between walking and art. Walking about has received generous support from Auckland Council, Albert-Eden Local Board and Whau Local Board. Individual walks will be announced at walkingabout.nz and on Te Uru’s website and social media pages.

We encourage you to bring prams and scooters and pack a picnic. We will share some food together at the end of walk in the picnic area of the walkway.

A shuttle van will be available from New Lynn train station and Te Uru in Titirangi on the day. Book van tickets and register for the walk at www.eventbrite.co.nz

29 February, 2-2pm

Meet at Kitekite Falls car park, Glenesk Road, Piha.

 

About Walking project page
 
Walks:

Pīta Turei: Mata ke ao
Sunday 22 September, 5:45am

Jeremy Leatinu’u: Kawea
Saturday 2 November, 12noon

Christina Houghton: Wayfinding Waikumete
Saturday 23 November, 4.10pm

 

val smith: queer walk-nap
Saturday 15 February, 6.30am - Sunday 16 February, 11.30pm

 

Suzanne Cowan and Rodney Bell: The hauntology of inheritance
Saturday 29 February, 2pm

 

Andrew McMillan: Echo Eco Echo
Wednesday 18 March - Wednesday 22 April

 

Vanessa Crofskey: Sports day
Online on Saturday 4 April, 12-4pm

 

Melissa Laing: Standing at the edge
Online from Saturday 11 April, watch-party at 4pm

 

Walking about in fog by Layne Waerea and Lana Lopesi
6 June - 5 July

 

Becca Wood: The public stand
21 June, 3pm
12 September, afternoon

 

Pīta Turei: Rangi Matariki
14 July, 6am

 

Christina Houghton: Wayfinding Waikumete (pt II)
10 October, 11am

 

Jeremy Leatinu’u: Mauria
31 October, 12 noon

 

Richard Orjis: cruising, lazing, leaning
21 November, 9pm