Ciggy Butts in the Sand

Award winning Pasifika choreographer Tupua Tigafua & composer David Long with producer Tupe Lualua.

‘Ciggy Butts in the Sand’ is Tupua’s genuine choreographic response to climate change through the eyes of a child.  Through this provocative yet uplifting dance theatre work, Tupua expresses how everything in the natural and physical environment around a child is filled with wonder with its own life force. Until you grow older and realise how global warming, human consumption and a shift in the Earth’s temperature, rapidly change these objects in the natural environment which in most cases end up becoming ‘lifeless’.

This project wove together the wealth of knowledge and creative excellence that both Tupua Tigafua and David Long hold and have contributed to the arts industry in Aotearoa for many years.

Born and raised in Aotearoa, Tupua is of Samoan heritage whose parents originate from Safa’ato’a, Lefaga and Faleū, Manono. After years of dancing for Aotearoa’s top dance companies, Tupua Tigafua has embarked on a journey of creating innovative dance theatre works that appeal to people of all ages.  David Long has had an illustrious career composing music for some of the world’s most iconic Artists such as our very own Sir Peter Jackson.

Tupua and David met through What if Climate Change was Purple? and they worked with scientist Natalia Bullon (also part of ‘What if Climate Change was Purple?’) in the early research phase of this work.

The development of Ciggy Butts in the Sand was supported with seed funding from ‘What if Climate Change was Purple?’

Arts + Climate Innovation: Can storytelling ignite change?

Track Zero is delighted to team up with Te Papa to deliver a free public talk, part of the public presentation of Ciggy Butts in the Sand. 

• Sunday, 18 July 2021
• 2.00 – 3.15pm
• Soundings Theatre, Te Papa

Join the award winning creative team behind ‘Ciggy Butts in the Sand’ and experts in science and Pacific climate change to discuss the conceptual development of the show and explore how storytelling and cultural knowledge are inextricably linked to the world in which we live and how their role is vital to shaping a better climate future.

‘Ciggy Butts in the Sand’ live performances 14-15 July are FREE events. For more information visit: www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/whats-on/events/performance-ciggy-butts-sand

Panel:

• Inangaro Vakaafi – Council of Elder member of the Pacific Climate Warriors and one of the founding members of 350 Pacific, reporter & journalist
• Tupua Tigafua– Choreographer & dancer
• Professor James RenwickCommissioner on the Climate Change Commission, Professor and Head of the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University
• David Long– Musician, composer & producer
• Penehuro Lefale – Senior Climate Change Advisor, Ministry of Climate, Oceans and Resilience, Government of Tokelau

Facilitated by Sarah Meads, Founder of Track Zero.

View the recording of the Panel discussion.

Images:

Top:

Image: Photographer – Pati Solomona Tyrell. Image supplied by Le Moana

Column:

Left – Tupua Tigafua. Image credit: Philip Merry

Right – David Long. Image credit: Philip Merry