First Contact 2012

The Festival begins in truly breathtaking style as one of Wellington’s most iconic buildings is transformed into a living, moving canvas by acclaimed New Zealand artist Michel Tuffery.

‘Larger than life’ doesn’t quite do this work justice. The beauty and history of the South Pacific come to Wellington in a big way with First Contact – a giant digital artwork projected upon the western wall of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

By bringing the ‘inside out’ from Te Papa’s extensive collections, Tuffery breathes new life into historical material recorded by the Polynesian ambassador Tupaia, and the scientists and artists from Captain James Cook’s three epic voyages – linking them with his own distinctive works and 21st century visual and sound bites.

Innovative and utterly transfixing, First Contact will light up Te Papa every evening during the Festival. If you can’t make the live cultural celebrations on opening night or want to experience First Contact in all its glory again, go to festival.co.nz or head along to the First Contact hub outside Te Papa, where you can download a free recording of the live soundtrack.

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