Location: Nathan Homestead, Manurewa

Date: February March 2018

Awhi Tower was a site specific interactive work with AwhiWorld located in a old water tower at the Nathan Homestead in Manurewa, South Auckland.

It was a collaboration with All Day Breakfast, funded by the Manurewa Local Board and overseen by myself as resident artist.

The century old tower had fallen into disrepair needed love and attention. Working with the Nathan Homestead staff attention was given to the physical, social, and spiritual worlds in order to reactivate the site and bring it back to life and love.

Nathan Homestead staff cleared the area and created a bright new path to the Tower. AwhiWorld turned the tower into an interdimensional sound transmitting device that was triggered by movement in its surrounds.

For this project I created an interactive sound work that utilised audio ‘exciters’ – an emerging technology that allows surfaces and objects to project sound. Kim worked on site for a number of months collecting sounds of different kinds, and turning images of the site into sounds.

Sounds were uploaded regularly as they were recorded in and around the community. The tower became a a conduit to connect different parts of the Manurewa community, embracing, transmitting and amplifying love.

Thanks to commissioning partners All Day Breakfast, and to Manurewa Local Board for funding this project.