Please see exhibition and festival events below:
Waiheke Community Art Gallery 13 December - 5 January Opening celebration Friday 13 December at 6pm
Artist talk in the gallery at 3.30pm Sunday 15th December (before the screening)
There will also be a special screening of Alyx’s feature film The Red House, along with The Sea Inside Her, The Tide Keeper at Waiheke Cinema Screening at 4.30pm Sunday 15 December
Project 100 Whakatū Nelson 9 October - 1 November: https://www.project100.co.nz/upcoming-events/theseainsideher
Show Me Shorts, The Sampler Now screening nation-wide: https://www.showmeshorts.co.nz/attend/2024-programme/sessions/the-sampler
Art House Trust 24 July - 15 September: https://www.artshousetrust.co.nz/current-exhibitions/the-sea-inside-her
NZIFF screenings 11 Aug in Wellington, 18 August in Auckland: https://www.nziff.co.nz/2024/tamaki-makaurau-auckland/short-connections-2024
The work is a playful contemplation of western society's relationship with nature, being affected by it, affecting it, while holding onto the idea that we are somehow separate from it. Each piece depicts an older woman’s response to a wild animal encroaching on her domestic space. The works lean into movement and the fantastical within the mundane to connect with people on a visceral body-brain level. Utilising performers, puppets, household objects and paint the artists aim to create a lyricism within the space.
The concept was initiated by Pākehā artist and filmmaker Alyx Duncan and writer Michele Powles, in collaboration with producer Lani-rain Feltham. The moving image work is shot by Gin Loane and edited by Adam-Luka Turjak with art direction by Robin Rawstorne. The music is composed and performed by Francesca Mountfort with sound design and mix by Vedat Kiyici. Puppets are designed by Paul Lewis and performed by him, Alex Leonhartbserger and Michele Powles. The work features contemporary dance icon Kilda Northcott. Paintings by Alyx DuncanTHE SEA INSIDE HER is an exhibition, a conversation between artists, made up of paintings, poetry and a moving-image work. It’s also a short film screening at the New Zealand International Film Festival as part of their Short Connections programme.
ARTISTS INVOLVED
PAINTER, FILMMAKER – Alyx Duncan https://www.alyxduncan.com
Alyx Duncan is an artist and filmmaker whose work navigates the rich intersection of movement and cinema. Her portfolio is a testament to her versatility, including critically acclaimed feature film THE RED HOUSE, multiple award-winning documentary and fiction shorts, and significant contributions to dance and theatre. In addition to her directorial achievements, Duncan's artistry extends to choreography for international productions such as MINECRAFT, THE LUMINARIES and COWBOY BEEBOP. Her work examines the complex identity of being Pākehā (settler New Zealander) while striving to be a better ancestor, and the challenges of motherhood in an environmentally challenged world. Her short film, a poetic portrait of her father "THE TIDE KEEPER," has screened in over twenty five film festivals including Busan, Melbourne, Slamdance, Annecy and winning awards FIPRESCI Film Critics’ Choice Award at Vladivostok, Best Short Animation at Warsaw, Best International short at Whistler, Best Film at NZIFF, Best Film, Best Director and Best Cinematography at Show Me Shorts. The film is also a Vimeo Staff Pick with over 40k views. A long-time theatre collaborator with writer and ex-dancer Michele Powles, they have teamed up to recently create short films THE SEA INSIDE HER and GROWING STILL, as well as feature film TENDERWOOD.
WRITER – Michele Powles https://www.michelepowles.com http://www.micheledewinton.com
Despite training in law (or perhaps because of it) Michele has been a writer, producer, and dancer across the globe. She is the mother of two children, both equally obsessed with creating new worlds (mostly under their beds). A widely published author, she was the 2010 Robert Burns Fellow and as romance writer Michele de Winton, is the USA Today Best-Selling Author of sixteen titles.
As a screenwriter, Michele was selected for the Attagurl Talent lab in association with Toronto, Rotterdam, and Sydney International Film Festivals 2020/2021 and was awarded a NZFC Hunga Taunaki ā Rorohiko mentorship in 2022. Along with TENDERWOOD, her feature films WEATHERED BONES with Blueskin Films, and PUT A BABY IN ME with Miss Conception Films are optioned and in funded development with the NZFC. Her TV series IT’S A SIGN is currently out to market with Kevin and Co. Michele also wrote and produced shorts, GROWING STILL and, THE SEA INSIDE HER, both directed by long-time collaborator Alyx Duncan. TENDERWOOD recently won Best Thriller Screenplay at the 2024 New York Screenplay awards.
PRODUCER – Lani-rain Feltham
A New Zealand filmmaker of Māori and Pakeha descent, Lani-rain has worked as a producer and screenwriter for the past two decades. Highlights include Florian Habicht’s 2017, SPOOKERS, and 2021 hit JAMES AND ISEY, Vincent Ward’s multi-screen video art installation BREATH for the Shanghai Biennale 2012, and WINTER, an art film by US artist Amie Siegel which recently played at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. As a screenwriter in her own right, Lani wrote 2020 feature film THE SAINT OF THE IMPOSSIBLE based on a novel of the same name by Dutch writer Arnon Grunberg, 2018 docu-drama, MAUI’S HOOK, and is currently in development on THE BOMB, a six part TV Series with producer Port Au Prince in Berlin.
EDITOR - Adam-Luka Turjak https://www.alukat.me
Luka is an experienced editor and assistant editor originally from Yugoslavia, and now based in Tāmaki Makaurau. In the last few years, he has edited feature films In Passing and Spring Interlude, as well as feature documentary Pistachio Wars, TV commercials, short films and music videos.
CINEMATOGRAPHER - Gin Loane www.ginloane.com
Gin Loane began attracting award nominations in 2006 with Fog, one of many short films they have shot that have made a mark overseas. By then Loane had already shot their first feature, dark family tale Christmas. In 2013 they won praise — and a Moa Award — for another family drama, Shopping, the debut feature from Louis Sutherland and Mark Albiston. Loane went on to win two awards from the NZ Cinematographers Society for Mahana (2016), Lee Tamahori’s first Kiwi feature since Once Were Warriors. Their work also includes based on a true story TV movies Jean and Consent - The Louise Nicholas Story.
KILDA NORTHCOTT - Performer www.noted.co.nz/archive/archive-listener-nz-2006/the-muse
Kilda was born is Whakatane and raised in Kawerau. She trained in classical ballet and then pursued a full-time training in modern jazz and dance.
In the early 1070s Kilda studied dance in Sydney at the Bodenweiser Dance Centre. She then lived, studied and taught dance in New York City. After her return to New Zealand she became a founding dancer/tutor of Movement Theatre in Educetion, and also a founding dancer/performer and tutor of contemporary dance with Limbs Dance Company. In the early 1980s Kilda returned to Sydney to work with Darc Swan and to study yoga. In 1989 she became a founding member of The Douglas Wright Dance Company.
She has continued to work with choreographers, directors and artists, such as Sue Jordon, Lyne Pringle, Mary-Jane O’Reilly, Michael Parmenter, Heidi Simmonds, Alana Spraggs, Olive Bieringa, Otto Ramstead, Sally Rodwell, Alan Brunton, Alyx Duncan and Madeline Mcnamara. Kilda is the Associate Director of Bipeds Production with her friend and colleague Lyne Pringle.
PAUL LEWIS - Puppet Design and Lead Puppeteer
A graduate of Unitec’s Acting for Screen and Theatre, Paul became involved in puppetry professionally in 2016, when he was cast as a principal puppeteer at Whoa! Studios in Henderson, Auckland. During his four and a half years there, Paul performed in several seasons of live shows, originating the role of Custard in the Custard’s World Adventures, as well as designing, fabricating and performing new puppet characters. Mentored by Muppet veteran Peter Linz, Paul’s work at Whoa! Studios can be seen in season one of Custard’s World and Custard’s World: Kea Kaha, both currently streaming on TVNZ on Demand. Credits as a puppeteer and puppet-maker include Slingshot NZ’s mascot, Stu, the two cheeky cows on season one of Pio Terei Tonight, the wellness brand No Ugly, music videos for Ha the Unclear and Fat Freddy’s Drop, the YouTube channel Busy Beavers and the forthcoming short film, Fear Becomes Her. He was one of the puppeteers for the adorable hybrid Bobby on the hit Netflix adaption of Sweet Tooth, and also for the title character of Blumhouse Studios’ horror movie, M3GAN.
ROBIN RAWSTORNE - Moving Image Art Director https://rawstornestudio.com
Robin is Creative Director of Rawstorne studio - a multidisciplinary visual arts studio whose motivation and passion is to tell connecting and engaging stories within the 3d environment. A team of storytellers, visuals artists and designers, Robin and his team create immersive story based worlds, themed environments, interactive experiences and live shows. His clients are extremely varied and include high profile museums, gaming companies, theatre, dance and opera companies, local government, art trusts and festivals.
ALEX LEONHARTSBERGER - Dancer, Puppeteer
Alex was born in Vienna, Austria and trained and graduated from the Austrian Ballet School of the State Opera in Vienna. Going through an intensive education with a broad spectrum of different dance styles and stage experience from the age of 7, he then went freelancing for many different choreographers and companies around the globe including: Volksoper Wien, Tanztheater Wien, Landestheater Linz, Fabulous Beast Dance Theater, Royal New
Zealand Ballet, Michael Parmenter, Australian Dance Theater, Raewyn Hill, Alyx Duncan, Kelly Nash, Daniel Belton, The Playground, Maria Dabrowska, Mia Mason, Douglas Wright and most recently working with the new initiative of the New Zealand Dance Company.
FRANCESCA MOUNTFORT - Composer www.francescamountfort.com
Originally from Wellington NZ, Francesca is a classically trained cellist and composer based in Tasmania, who over a decade ago departed from her classical origins, embracing a unique style of playing and sound. Francesca’s compositions range from minimal and spacious to dramatic and expansive. The classical nature of the cello is embraced and built upon, using subtle electronics and recording techniques, adding complex layers and effects.
VEDAT KIYICI - Sound Designer www.envystudios.co.nz
Vedat has carved his place in the industry having worked on award-winning TV/Radio Commercials, prime-time TV Shows, and Films.
Born and bred in Istanbul, he lived in NYC about 9 years, studied sound at Institute of Audio Research (‘98), and Video and Multimedia production at CUNY (‘03), played in bands, and recorded & mixed music.
His vast technical knowledge, keen eyes and ears for story telling, and superb time management skills will help you finish your project the most efficient way possible .
Always looking for better ways to do things, he actually invented audio software plugins and apps that are being used in studios world wide!