Set against the backdrop of John Gerrard’s immersive installation Flare (Oceania), 2022, members of the Melbourne Tongan community will showcase the traditional dance, Tau’olunga, and song. These performances carry a powerful message about the climate emergency in Tonga as a compelling call to action.
There will be a brief introduction by Makelesi Kavapalu Facci, a prominent leader within the Melbourne Togan Community, followed by a special Tongan choral performance and performances of Tau’olunga dance.
Offering a poignant comment on the existential threat of rising seas, John Gerrard’s large-scale simulation, Flare (Oceania), 2022 forms a seascape based on photographs taken by the artist and activist Uili Lousi, whose work documents the rising temperatures of his ancestral ocean near Tonga.
Following the performance, Uili Lousi and The Honourable Johnny Taione join NGV Senior Curator Ewan McEoin for a thought-provoking conversation, providing an opportunity to extend and amplify the message from Tonga about the climate crisis and the impact on Tongan communities. For more information on this conversation click here.