NZASIA Conference Associated Events

Burma Express showcases the reflections of twenty-six contemporary Myanmar artists on the political, social, and economic situation of Myanmar today. Art plays a strong role in making experiences and feelings visible in Myanmar as well as revealing contemporary issues. The country has a flourishing culture of public art responding to and commenting on the country's social, political, and economic situation. The visual materials presented in these exhibits are a powerful vehicle for dialogue on and transmission of personal experiences and stories. At the same time, they create an open space for interaction through the shared organisation of such exhibits. The exhibit runs from November 26 until December 10 in the Postmaster Gallery, H.D. Skinner Annex of the Otago Museum. The exhibit will be official opened on November 26 when Pyay Way, founder and curator of the Nawaday Tharlar Art Gallery will give an introduction to the various pieces and provide his insights into the flourishing community of contemporary Myanmar artists. Light refreshments will be available and the bar will have alcoholic beverages for purchase.

Pyay Way is the founder and curator of Nawaday Tharlar Art Gallery in Yangon.
Nawaday Tharlar means “A Place for a New Day” in a hybrid of Pali and English. Since its founding in 2012 Nawaday Tharlar has become a vibrant community of painters, sculptors,and poets from all around Myanmar and beyond. The gallery is a venue for anyone to come and share stories, art, and perspectives at open mic nights; a home for artists to share and learn with others at workshops and free classes; and a place for community organizers to meet and develop philanthropic programs such as flood relief, trash collection, and health projects for those in need. Before founding Nawaday Tharlar, Pyay Way was an ordained Buddhist monk for 20 years. During that time, he studied Buddhist philosophy at Sitagu International Buddhist Academy, and later linguistics at the University of Hyderabad. Since leaving the monkhood Pyay Way has continued to be captivated by philosophy, poetry, and art of all kinds.

O-Taiko - Dunedin's Taiko Drumming Ensemble

O-Taiko was founded in 2010 by Professor Henry Johnson (Department of Music) with the help of the University of Otago, Dunedin–Otaru Sister City Society, and the Dunedin City Council. Membership includes community enthusiasts, and university students and staff. The group is particularly active in public performances and workshops, and university students can learn taiko as a part of their studies. In 2013 the group founded Ko-Taiko, a class for children aged 5–12 years that meets every Sunday afternoon during the school term.

Puspawarna Gamelan
Puspawarna Gamelan is a group of gamelan enthusiasts based at the University of Otago, Dunedin. Members are secondary and tertiary students, university staff members and the wider Dunedin community. Puspawarna Gamelan has performed in Dunedin and elsewhere in the South Island more than 100 times since it was founded in 1995. The group accompanies wayang kulit (shadow puppet theatre) performances, performs traditional Javanese musical pieces, and works with local composers such as Antony Ritchie and Allan Starrett to produce contemporary compositions that are performed at the Fringe Festival and similar musical events.
Puspawarna Gamelan is directed by Dr Joko Susilo (PhD Otago 2000, Fulbright 2004) an internationally renowned gamelan teacher, performer and dhalang (shadow theatre master) who has toured and performed widely in Asia, Australia, Europe and America.

Otago University Chinese Art/Instrument Club

The Otago University Chinese Art/Instrument Club is a group for people who are interested in Chinese music, art and culture to exchange ideas

Mitoko Kikkawa
Motoko Kikkawa is a Dunedin-based, Japanese-born artist and musician. She works across media including sound, improvisation, drawing, painting, textiles and photography. She will presenting an improvised performance with her long-time collaborator Joanna Osborne. Motoko's soundclound is: https://soundcloud.com/motoko-kikkawa