15 November 2011 - 0 Comments

Get your Big Wigs, Fancy Pants and Twinkle Toes dusted off and ready for action as this summer Splore presents The Island of Hooha!

Based on the large scale dress-up and costume attire adorned at Splore 2008 and 2010, organisers are sure audiences will be ready to express their inner extrovert.

Splore 2012 will literally explode with outrageous performances. As well as a Saturday night crescendo, The Island of Hooha will offer party goers a number of exciting experiences to create the ultimate fruity and wild weekend. This year’s theme has conjured life sized kitsch dolls, burlesque gnomes, a Bogan circus, traditional Maori Puppets(Karetao) and much more - all brought together in the sensual surrounds of Linz' Living Lounge and selected festival locations. 

Over the weekend Linz's Living Lounge will be home to a sumptuous mix of dance, cabaret, music and interactive performance. A series of audience interactive 'happenings' by VibraCorp sets the scene for a Friday night of mayhem and madness, climaxing with the full Doc Westie Bogan Circus extravaganza. Saturday night presents a more salacious selection where living artworks delicately lounge amidst furniture while you delight in a decadent  sexy, surrealist, circus cabaret by acclaimed Dust Palace with “Cirque non Sequitur”,

The visual arts program delivers a broad mix of fresh and engaging works from established and emerging artists. Confirmed artists include Martin Horspool who will be creating Splorebot 2 the long lost cousin of Splorebot 1 who was a feature piece at Splore 2010. Sculptor Stephen Woodward and film maker Kirsty MacDonald have collaborated on a mixed media work that overlays moving image onto Woodward’s gentle carved relief of white marble.

In a new twist, Splore Creative Director Amanda Wright has invited UK Curator Emma Underhill of UP Projects to collaborate with a group of New Zealand designers to create a moveable temporary pavilion.

Wright is particularly excited about the pavilion that will begin as an entry feature backdrop where your Island of Hooha fun is initiated from the moment you arrive.  The pavilion is then moved during the festival and becomes another focal point for community engagement and playful interactions . 

“I was excited to secure support from British Council and Creative NZ to bring this progressive new concept into fruition” says Wright. “Underhill has done several brilliant public art projects in London and at Glastonbury and to have her working with NZ designers on this project here at Splore this summer brings a next level of  innovation to Splore 2012.”

Wright believes this is just one of the many multi disciplinary aspects of Splore that sets it apart from any other festival in NZ.  “We are blessed with one of the most beautiful locations in the world, extraordinary talent and an amazing group of supporters that are the hub of the Splore community.”

Splore 2012 will also build on its history of delivering groundbreaking video installations and live VJ performances. With over 30 video artists performing, revelers’ eyes will be wowed during the three day festival's darker hours. Confirmed artists include Dub Module who is one member of the acclaimed musical duo Pitch Black, Melbourne's Jemthemisfit and local VJ duo Lotech. Sense Collective will presentMove - a full emersion interdisciplinary performance art experience that takes the audience on a visceral journey through time and space.

An exciting development this year is the inclusion of a fully video mapped DJ stage. Pixels will pulse and move as the DJ area truly comes alive with performances from some of the best VJs from Aotearoa and around the world.

On the menu with the global cafe this summer will be Bevan Kaan’s Dragonfired Artisan Woodfired food - winner of Viva’s (NZ Herald) best takeaway food 2011.  Kaan has been a regular food vendor at the festival and is returning to whip up his prizewinning cuisine.  International Food providers will also spice up the festival with tantalising meals from Argentina, Jamaica, Hungary, India, Mexico, Pacific, and the Middle East.

Staged at the stunning Tapapakanga Regional Park, the beach front location is the perfect place for the Island of Hooha.  Designed for audience convenience, Splorers will live onsite for three days with a number of onsite camping options. While camping is included in the ticket price, festival goers can choose to upgrade to a reserved tent or campervan site, or go for the top notch option of glamping (glamorous camping).

As always, family camping areas are available because children are a key part of the Splore community. Keen to keep kids happy and entertained during the weekend, organizers have set up ‘The Rumpus Room’ - a dedicated kids zone featuring workshops for kids to participate in and so ensure parents and children enjoy the festival together. 

Live music performances are always a festival highlight. This year nearly 30 home grown and international musicians will descend in Splore with headline acts including Erykah Budu, Soul II Soul SoundSystem, DJ Qbert, Hudson Mohawke and kiwi favourite Tiki Tane.  

Join us at the Island of Hooha- 17-19 February 2012, Tapapakanga Regional Park, one hour south east of Auckland city.

Tickets can be purchased from http://www.1-night.co.nz/ with a time payment option also available.

Thanks to www.splore.net for this story.

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