Toi Kaitiaki Wearable Arts was a 10-week programme for Vivinauts to explore the exciting world where fashion and technology collide. WoW (The World of Wearable Arts) is an annual festival that takes place in Wellington, New Zealand. We were inspired to create our own version of the well known event, that has become a large part of the New Zealand arts culture, read up about the festival here: https://www.worldofwearableart.com/about-wow. The goal of the programme was to help participants develop a range of new skills related to textiles, design, fashion, electronics, storytelling and wearable technology and to put their skills into action by designing and creating their own wearable art pieces. The programme culminated with a community showcase in which the Vivinauts modeled and demonstrated their creations in a choreographed show.

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Inside the Programme

The theme of the 2023 Toi Kaitiaki Wearable Arts was Ngā Atua (The Gods). Throughout the programme participants learned about Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and how to incorporate principles from the te ao Māori (the Māori world) into their designs and stories, following concepts such as:

• Kaitiakitanga (taking care of our environment)
• Atuatanga (knowing the roles of the Māori gods)
• Whanaungatanga (working together and nurturing ****relationships and kinship)
• Mohiotanga (gaining skills and capability)

The programme consisted of both structured and unstructured learning opportunities. It kicked-off with a two-day bootcamp, followed by weekly workshops run by Vivita staff and mentors. Workshop topics included:

• Visual Storytelling
• Back to Basics - crafting with newspaper
• Let there be Light - working with lights and electronic elements
• Accessory Design
• Presenting Skills

In between workshop sessions, participants got busy designing and crafting their garments with the support of mentors. Towards the end of the programme the focus evolved from creating the garments to telling an entire story and putting on a show to “WOW” the community.

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The Final Showcase

The Toi Kaitiaki Showcase marked a heart warming conclusion to 2023. The participating Vivinauts put on a stellar performance to more than 100 people from the community. The six garments were modelled by their creators alongside a beautiful narration of the Māori creation myth.

How it went down:

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Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother, began the creation story with a majestic costume showcasing the layers of the earth. This team took the approach of exploring Papa’s mental health struggle. They explored how she feels all that the earth endures, especially the hardship and abuse that comes with damages to our atmosphere.

Ranginui, the Sky Father, followed with a costume mimicking a constellation. Coloured stuffing circled the garment’s waist to represent the galaxies and nebulas of space.

Then came Tūmatauenga, the god of war, and Tāwhirimātea, god of weather. An epic battle ensued as the weather god used his homemade smoke vortex cannon to blast the god of war.

Afterwards, Tāne, the god of forests and of birds, dazzled the audience with a garment that embodied the wildlife of the forest.

And finally, Tangaroa, the god the ocean, took the stage, draped in layers of blue brilliance. The standout was the headpiece, a ship battling the rough seas as an octopus threatens to sink it.

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