HIS NAME WAS/IS THE THUNDERBOLT
For this solo exhibition Mumu Moore has created 28 purerehua and porotiti (Taonga Pūoro, Māori instruments) during the maraMATAKA Starting on whiro the new moon and running past Rakaunui the full moon and back down the shadows to whiro the new moon.
Alongside this mumu created the painted art piece this exhibition was named after “His name was/is the thunderbolt. working with similar shapes and patterns found on the taonga around the room, mumu expresses the connection between thunderbolt and papa the earth mother, always working together to create a place the holds all beings found between the earthmother and skyfather.
Mumu creates this taonga with love, adoration, mauri, and sits with the energy of each moon phase, each taonga is named aftetr the coresponding moon phase.
Pūrerehua - is an instrument used for karakia (prayer, incantations), to connect from Papatūānuku (earth mother) to the Ngā Atua (many gods) that live/reside above the earth. They can be used to invoke rain, and for spiritual practices. They can be worn on the body as a pendant.
Porotiti - is a smaller instrument that is used for Rongoā Māori (Māori healing), its is played with two hands, and spins on itself to create a humming noise. which vibrates through the cord to help with arthritis and also used to release the sinus’s and ease pain in the body. They can be worn on the body as pendant.
Ko Mauo te Maunga, ko Tauranga te Moana, ko Ngai Tukairangi te Hapu, ko Te Rangihouhiri te Rangatira, ko Ngai te Rangi te Iwi, ko Mumu Moore ahau.
Mumu Moore is a Wellington artist and film maker. He uses storytelling and cultural practice to create dynamic and emotional films, and artworks that help him to connect to his whakapapa, his way of living, and his higher connection to the atua (gods) that surround us all.
Mumu works within the digital world, combining his love of film, photography and video editing to make poetic films. While also working with rakau (wood) to create Taonga Pūoro (maori musical instruments) mainly pūrerehua (bull roarers).
His passion for storytelling comes from the connections he makes in the community where he lives, works, and plays. Mumu believes that the world needs more stories to help balance the material and spiritual worlds.
This balance will bring about positive social, environmental, physical, and spiritual change in the communities we live in.