81 carved, wooden pou appear as sentinels in the gallery. Each pou – distinguished from each other by only the slightest difference in head shape, inclination, and hand-carved Pounamu taonga – are placed in a kao kao-inspired formation. The specific motifs, carved forms and numerology in Papare Eighty.one are drawn from a connection to taiao and natural systems that have sustained humanity. Configuring the pou as guards, Forde places natural environments under their protection. As individuals – both visitor and pou – gather together, Papare Eighty.one enacts a call to kotahitanga; to collective action that safeguards the future of our natural world for generations to come
81 carved, wooden pou appear as sentinels in the gallery. Each pou – distinguished from each other by only the slightest difference in head shape, inclination, and hand-carved Pounamu taonga – are placed in a kao kao-inspired formation. The specific motifs, carved forms and numerology in Papare Eighty.one are drawn from a connection to taiao and natural systems that have sustained humanity. Configuring the pou as guards, Forde places natural environments under their protection. As individuals – both visitor and pou – gather together, Papare Eighty.one enacts a call to kotahitanga; to collective action that safeguards the future of our natural world for generations to come
