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“Maui” by Henry Hopfe. - Photo: Courtesy of Bishop Musuem |
MAMo: Maoli Arts Month
Hawai'i's largest celebration of Native Hawaiian arts and artists, MAMo: Maoli Arts Month, features an eclectic mix of people, performance art and demonstrations – and many events are free. Venues span from Waikīkī to Kona – a first for MAMo on the neighbor islands. For a complete event listing, see www.oha.org/kawaiola. Here's a preview:
Maui painter Al Lagunero worked overtime after receiving word that he was a 2008 MAMo awardee. In two months he produced six paintings especially for the honorees' exhibit showing through August at Bishop Museum's J.M. Long Gallery (Regular admission applies.) But that's not all, he adds with a laugh, “I have about 18 other paintings at Louis Pohl Gallery that I did at the same time.”
Elizabeth Lee's woven hats once sold for 20 cents. Now her “fine weave, red hats” can rake in $1,500. A MAMo awardee, she learned lauhala weaving from her hānai mom, Hattie Kahananui. By the way, the “red” distinction is a remnant from the Hawaiians of old, Lee says, “because they couldn't pronounce 'rare.' ”
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From Kealopiko's Kū 2008 line. - Photo: Courtesy of Kealopiko |
Stones talk to sculptor Henry “Hanale” Hopfe when he gathers them from the Wai'anae coast. “They tell me their name, and I call them by their name,” says Hopfe, a MAMo awardee who feels deep connections to both land and people. “Ho'ohanohano i nā kūpuna a me ka po'e o Hawai'i nei,” he says. “My work honors our kūpuna and people of Hawai'i nei.”
MAMo awardee David Parker has painted portraits of 200 chiefs and counting. Many of them lived pre-contact and left behind no records of their likenesses, but Parker isn't deterred. He paints from his na'au. “A lot of those people were my ancestors,” he says. “We don't know how they looked but no one has ever portrayed them at all, so I did it.”
Imaikalani Kalahele organizes a poetry reading, 6-9 p.m. at the ARTS at Marks Garage at downtown Chinatown's First Friday Gallery Walk, May 2. If last year is any indication, expect the unexpected. “We do everything from chant to this crazy kind stuff on the street,” he says. “Blew me away these young guys, whoo they swear like hell.”
Kealopiko sells its new Kū 2008 line at First Friday on a flatbed truck near Kim Taylor Reece Gallery on Bethel Street. The Girlas and other musical friends will stop by to entertain the crowd. Catch Kealopiko's avant-garde and custom creations at the Wearable Art Show May 16, 5:30 p.m., Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa ($250 per ticket), the Native Hawaiian Arts Market and Keiki Art Festival, May 3-4, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Bishop Museum lawn ($3), and at the free Keauhou Art Market, May 31, from 10 a.m., Outrigger Keauhou in Kona.
Here is the complete listing of events:
MAMo Awards 2008
Ceremony and Gallery Reception
May 1, 6-9 p.m., Bishop Museum
Bishop Museum hosts the free awards ceremony honoring this year's MAMo Award recipients for their lifetime devotion to championing Native Hawaiian art: revered lauhala weaver Elizabeth Lee; painter David Parker; sculptor Hanale Hopfe; and painter and arts organizer Al Lagunero. Bishop Museum features an exhibition of the honorees' works in the J.M. Long Gallery through August 2008. Regular admission applies after May 1.
First Friday Gallery Walk
May 2, 5-9 p.m., Downtown Chinatown
Thousands converge in downtown Chinatown to experience the artwork, poetry and prose of more than 20 Native Hawaiian artists in galleries throughout the area, including the ARTS at Marks Garage, Louis Pohl Gallery, Da Space and the Nu'uanu Gallery at Marks Garage. Free.
Third annual Native Hawaiian Arts Market & Keiki Art Festival
May 3-4, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Bishop Museum
The two events unite for the first time and together offer collectibles, fine arts and contemporary craftwork for adults and hands-on art activities for the keiki. Co-sponsored by Bishop Museum and PA'I Foundation, the two-day arts market features 40-plus Native Hawaiian visual artists offering feather work, silk scarves, turned bowls, carved images, decorated gourds, weaponry and weaving. Also features demonstrations, workshops, food and Hawaiian entertainment.
The third annual keiki festival, “Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike: Keiki Art Festival” lets keiki and their families create art and meet Native Hawaiian artists and cultural practitioners. Activities include sand art, watercolors, lei-making, kapa-beating, weaving, feather work, storytelling, T-shirt screening and lots more. A special $3 admission rate includes entry to both event and to all museum galleries.
Second annual MAMo Wearable Art Show
May 16, 5:30 p.m.,
Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Kona Moku Ballroom
Cultural practitioners and artists take center stage at a fashion show featuring avant-garde styles and traditional and contemporary Native Hawaiian garments and adornments for ceremonial rituals and cultural practices. Features kapa, feather work, shell jewelry, tattoo, weaponry, weaving, carving, traditional Hawaiian musical instruments and more. A special tribute to the late artist and fashion designer Allen Akina features his rare artwork and fashions. Revenues earned will provide an annual source of income for future festivals. $250 per ticket; $2,500 - $10,000 per corporate table.
MAMo Artists at Hawai'i Book and Music Festival
May 17-18, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Fasi Civic Grounds of Honolulu Hale (City Hall)
MAMo artists will demonstrate, sell and display their artwork in this free celebration of books, reading and music. Showcases a wide range of local, national and international authors, musicians and storytellers in various genres.
MAMo Wednesdays at the Outrigger Waikīkī
May 7, 14, 21, 28, 10 a.m. – noon, Outrigger Waikīkī
Wednesdays throughout May, the Outrigger Waikīkī Hotel hosts Native Hawaiian artists who will demonstrate traditional arts such as lei-making, weaving, fiber arts and carving. Free.
MAMo Keauhou Art Market
May 31, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Outrigger Keauhou, Kona, Hawai'i
Island
MAMo expands to the neighbor islands for the first time, bringing together various Native Hawaiian artists to share, demonstrate, display and sell their works of art. Features hands-on activities for keiki in sand art, watercolors, lei-making, kapa-beating, weaving, feather work and T-shirt printing. Free.
The 2008 MAMo: Maoli Arts Month is sponsored by PA'I Foundation along with generous funding and support from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, Ford Foundation, Bishop Museum, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Outrigger Hotels, the Mayor's Office of Culture and Arts, Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, individual artists, arts organizations and galleries.
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