- VENUE
Artefact
Ross McCormack
A playful and immersive site-specific dance/theatre work by Arts Laureate Ross McCormack, ArteFact: How to Behave in a Museum explores the reverence we place on objects housed within formal spaces such as art galleries, museums, and libraries. Inspired by the physical structure of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira and the tireless work of visitor hosts, security guards, and museum staff, ArteFact invites audiences to experience these spaces in unexpected ways.
Developed to be adapted for different locations, ArteFact blends physical theatre, comedy, and McCormack’s signature movement language to uncover the quirks and contradictions of human behaviour in institutional settings. In this promenade performance, audiences are guided by an eclectic mix of performers, visitor hosts, and art experts—never quite knowing where they will be led or what they might learn along the way.
Since its premiere as part of Auckland Arts Festival’s digital programme in 2022, ArteFact has been reimagined in multiple locations, including performances at Dunedin, Taranaki and Nelson Arts Festivals, The Arts Centre Christchurch, and Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira.
2022 National TOUR
Dunedin
Dunedin Arts Festival
Dunedin Public Art Gallery
Saturday 22 October at 5.30pm & 8.00pm
Sunday 23 October at 5.30pm & 8.00pm
Nelson
Nelson Arts Festival
The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū
Friday 28 October at 6pm & 8pm
Saturday 29 October at 6pm & 8pm
Christchurch
The Arts Centre
Wednesday 2 November at 6pm & 8pm
Auckland
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Grand Foyer
Tuesday 8 November at 5.30pm & 7pm
2022 PREMIERE SEASON
Auckland
Auckland Arts Festival
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Digital Streaming
20 - 27 March
REVIEWS
“Soothsayers of subtlety and nuance…The New Zealand Dance Company has a hit on its hands with Artefact…depth, invention and surprise fizzes freshly from the screen…a stylish and witty commentary on the precious objects housed in a museum and the kaupapa surrounding them”
Lyne Pringle, Theatreview
READ IT HERECREATIVE TEAM
Choreographer
Ross McCormack
Production Manager
Abby Clearwater (2021)
Keira Howat (2022 Tour)
Sound
Alistair Deverick
Performers
2023 Ngāmotu Tour
'Isope 'Akau'ola
Kosta Bogoievski
Katie Rudd
Olivia McGregor
Lucy Lynch
Performers
2022 National Tour
Jag Popham
Kosta Bogoievski
Ngaere Jenkins
Olivia McGregor
Tyler Carney-Faleatua
Darrell Daglish (Swiss alphorn musician, Auckland)
Performers
2022 Auckland Arts Festival
Carl Tolentino
Chrissy Kokiri
Katie Rudd
Katrina Bastian
Kosta Bogoievski
Ngaere Jenkins
Darrell Daglish (Swiss alphorn musician)
