A Lighthouse Towards Reparations
Graduating Project 2021
A lighthouse located in Fort Lane and Quay Street that reflects the original shoreline of Tamaki Makaurau. Two public sculptural interventions that can be seen from a pedestrian level. Lighthouse of warning to pakeha, light is projected from the ground to create the beacon. Slipping, reaching, grasping towards reparations. Pedestrians become bathed in white light and fog.
Auckland is founded on colonial crimes that have had very minimal reparations and that continue to cause harm. When Te Rerenga ora iti (meaning the leaping place of few survivors) a pa site, was destroyed to create commercial reclaimed land, significant damage was done to Tangata Whenua. Pākehā placed their values over Maori and oppressed their culture.
These lighthouses aim to put pakeha crimes on display and warn against colonial thoughts, systems, and actions.
A Place for Bees
Graduating Year 2021
The Auckland Wintergardens are rooted in battles for control of the
domain from battles between Ngati Whatau and pakeha to port workers
and farmers. To more recently the battle for control between gardeners
and plants and these plants and freedom. The Auckland Wintergardens
echo very problematic ideas of exhibition and nature stemming from early
colonial aristocratic influence. These ideas of nature are so problematic
that the Winter Gardens have an unbalanced ecology. There is a lack of
animals and insects throughout the garden, the most prominent visible
species is the goldfish and those have been placed in the ponds. The plants
are restricted by man-made boundaries, even the fernery which feels more
‘natural’ is a man-made quarry that is paved by designated rock and
pergola structures to contain the mostly native plantings. How have
aristocratic values influenced our ethical views of ecology and landscape?
How can I re-evaluate my westernized views and develop a more open
understanding of ecology? How does protection of some plants destroy the
ecology of the site? The lack of biodiversity is caused by exploitation. By
exploiting the exotic nature of some few plants, it is to the detriment of the
wider ecology. If bees were homed in the garden where there is a large
food source (flowers) they could pollinate all throughout the Auckland
Domain having positive repercussions on this environment. Bringing bees
to the site is a proactive way to improve the biodiversity of the ecosystem.
The most functional way to bring bees to the site is to place a hive within
the Wintergardens allowing them to eat and pollinate within the domain.
This solution is pro-active and not only brings attention to the issue but
actively intends to resolve it. Further, having wildflower seeds in seed trays
will increase the chance of population growth in Auckland City as people
take the seeds and plant them; whether intentional or accidental.
