Recent acquisition
what was or could be today (again)
27 April 2021
This month, we are excited to debut the most recent acquisition into the Dunedin Public Art Gallery collection - what was or could be today (again) 2019 by Shannon Te Ao (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Wairangi, Te Pāpaka-a-Māui). This video installation focuses on endurance athlete Ngarama Milner-Olsen as she swims across Aotearoa’s largest body of water, Taupō-nui-a-Tia. Weaving together multiple viewpoints, and accompanied by the lyrics of a waiata composed by Te Ao and Kurt Komene (Te Atiawa, Taranaki Whānui) and performed by Te Awhina Kaiwai-Wanikau (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), this work creates an immersive and contemplative experience in the BNZ Gallery on our ground floor.
what was or could be today (again) is showing until 22 June 2021.
[image: SHANNON TE AO what was or could be today (again) 2019 (stills). Single channel HD video, bw and sound (11.38min). Courtesy of the artist]