Registrations are now open for the CTANZ’s annual symposium, Nature Now, which is taking place at Massey University, Wellington on 7 and 8 July, 2016.
Keynote Speakers – the ‘techno fairy’ and the detectives
Elaine Yan Ling Ng. Photo by Sunyi.
Our first keynote speaker this year is Elaine Yan Ling Ng, a Hong Kong based textile and furnishings designer. Described by Elle Décor magazine as a ‘techno fairy, she is internationally renowned for weaving together ‘the magical movements of nature with manmade technologies’. Elaine is a TED fellow and presented ‘Naturology: The secret life of textiles’ at the TED Global Conference in 2012.
Our second key note address is a double-act by Rangi Te Kanawa, a weaver and Textile Conservator, and Dr Karyne Rogers, an environmental scientist from GNS Science. Rangi and Karyne have joined forces to explore the origins of unprovenanced Maori cloaks through the analysis of paru, or black dyes. ‘Modern forensic techniques will help to restore the human linkages and historical relationships (whakapapa) in these textile treasures held in museums and private collections,’ said Dr Rogers.
Rangi Te Kanawa and Dr Karyne Rogers in the Whare Pora (Weaving Store) at Te Papa.
Their project, titled Track the Black: the whakapapa of paru, is supported by a grant from the Marsden Fund which ‘supports excellence in science, engineering, maths, social sciences and the humanities in New Zealand by providing grants for investigator-initiated research’.
Ancient Egyptian cotton to Alexander McQueen
The keynote addresses will be supported by a lively programme of 20 diverse papers exploring the relationship between dress, textiles and nature, from the ancient Egyptian cotton producing town of Kellis to the nature-inspired couture of Alexander McQueen. Rag rugs, tivaevae, jewellery, embroidery, weaving, fancy dress, fashion, nature and biography all make an appearance over the two days.
Something new – workshops and tours
This year the paper sessions will run until 3pm. Following afternoon tea each day, delegates will have the opportunity to attend workshops at Massey’s College of Creative Arts, and behind-the-scenes tours at Te Papa. Please make your selection when you register. Alternatively, you might like to make the most of what Wellington city has to offer, and head straight down to Minerva, the country’s only book shop dedicated to fashion and textiles. A Fashion & Textile Lover’s Guide to Wellington is to come.
Deb Cumming and Nina Weaver’s OneP Wings, which was presented at last year’s CTANZ symposium, was developed in the FabLab with Craig Hobern and Wendy Neale.
Register and renew your membership all in one easy go
If you have not renewed your CTANZ membership yet, you can register and pay your membership fee on registration site.
Transport from the airport, accommodation etc
For visitor information, including accommodation options, visit the ‘Discover’ page of the Absolutely Positively Wellington website.
We look forward to seeing you at this year’s symposium.
Looks like a great symposium will be there!!!!!