Take part in a rare opportunity to play the spectacular sculpture and Steinway concert grand piano by Michael Parekōwhai, He Kōrero Pūrākau mo te Awanui o te motu: story of a New Zealand river.
Te Papa are excited to have He Kōrero Pūrākau mo te Awanui o te motu: story of a New Zealand river on public display for a short time, and welcome pianists to help complete this beautiful taonga through their playing.
Timeslots for members of the public to play the piano are now fully booked, but check back here for possible sessions due to last-minute cancellations.
The piano is part of our collection and is an artwork of great cultural significance, and must be treated with care at all times.
We respectfully ask:
That you do not wear any jewellery or clothing with metal elements that might scratch the piano.
That you wear shoes with soft leather or rubber soles and rounded toes, since pointy shoes will mark the lyre.
That you take all possible care to ensure that the piano is not damaged as a result of your playing.
If you require any further information, please ask.
About the artwork
He Kōrero Pūrākau mo te Awanui o te motu: story of a New Zealand river is the central work of On First Looking on Chapman’s Homer, the exhibition by Michael Parekōwhai that represented New Zealand at La Biennale di Venezia in 2011.
It is his sixth piano sculpture and took more than 10 years to create. Performance is key to the work, which is both a spectacular sculpture and a playable Steinway concert grand piano. Parekōwhai recounts hearing it played at its debut: “The object disappeared – the actual piano just kind of melted away”.
Take part in a rare opportunity to play the spectacular sculpture and Steinway concert grand piano by Michael Parekōwhai, He Kōrero Pūrākau mo te Awanui o te motu: story of a New Zealand river.
Te Papa are excited to have He Kōrero Pūrākau mo te Awanui o te motu: story of a New Zealand river on public display for a short time, and welcome pianists to help complete this beautiful taonga through their playing.
Timeslots for members of the public to play the piano are now fully booked, but check back here for possible sessions due to last-minute cancellations.
The piano is part of our collection and is an artwork of great cultural significance, and must be treated with care at all times.
We respectfully ask:
That you do not wear any jewellery or clothing with metal elements that might scratch the piano.
That you wear shoes with soft leather or rubber soles and rounded toes, since pointy shoes will mark the lyre.
That you take all possible care to ensure that the piano is not damaged as a result of your playing.
If you require any further information, please ask.
About the artwork
He Kōrero Pūrākau mo te Awanui o te motu: story of a New Zealand river is the central work of On First Looking on Chapman’s Homer, the exhibition by Michael Parekōwhai that represented New Zealand at La Biennale di Venezia in 2011.
It is his sixth piano sculpture and took more than 10 years to create. Performance is key to the work, which is both a spectacular sculpture and a playable Steinway concert grand piano. Parekōwhai recounts hearing it played at its debut: “The object disappeared – the actual piano just kind of melted away”.
