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MEDIA RELEASE Authorised & Released by Bitinia Delton ![""]("images/trusthead.jpg") Texas Artist Lea Anna McConnell's Mokomokai replicas will feature in a 3 x 1 hr TV series called Mokomokai The Documentary and they will be stars of a world wide lecture tour by Maui Dalvanius Prime director of the TV series and author of a book called Mokomokai. TRUST TO PUT MAORI HEADS ON DISPLAY DIORAMA DISPLAY OF MOKOMOKAI COMMISSIONED BY MOKOMOKAI EDUCATION TRUST Controversial Part native American Texas artist LEA ANNA McCONNELL will fashion and design 4 MOKOMOKAI for a MOKOMOKAI Diorama display. The MOKOMOKAI Education Trust has 56 scheduled Lectures for the year 2000. The lectures cover 5 continents and the Diorama will be part of an education program to bring to the attention of the world the need for the return of Maori Human cultural property to source cultures. Chairman of the MOKOMOKAI EDUCATION TRUST Maui Dalvanius Prime told a Press conference The Diorama will have a permanant display on my property when not on tour."They are necessary for my lectures which have been positively received wherever I present them by Maori and Pakeha alike." Many controversial questions were discussed and answered covering all aspects of the MOKOMOKAI and their origins, repatriation and internment. "When I first saw Lea Anna McConnells works I was struck by their naturalness but offended with the Text on her website. Like many Maori I sent her E mail to disapprove of her lack of cultural sensitivity. I know what its like to be persecuted. Ive had phone calls and hate mail telling me I shouldn't be doing what I am doing "talking about our ancestors." I find this reaction a results of colonisation. Information should be shared and the motives behind our Lectures is to create Maori debate and discussion first and foremost then wide world debate" Maori reacted harshly to the Texan artists replicas and she has been the subject of news coverage world wide and also here in New Zealand. Maori Magazine TUMAI were so moved by the controversy they featured Lea Anna and her replicas as a front cover story. Through our continual e mails and contact Lea Anna has been converted to our cause and she has begun work on the display. We have also commissioned 4 Korowai and several Waka Tupapaku (all replica) and several other Taonga associated with Maori pre European burial beliefs and burial practices.To avoid any more controversy the Upoko will be fashioned after myself and 3 other members of our Trust. As we are the Intellectual owners of our own images we have prepared the necessary papers with our lawyers to execute the projects commencement. The necessary Karakia have been said and we have entered this project with the Blessings of our TOHUNGA and KAUMATUA. I am expecting a backlash but once the Exhibition debuts people will see its true educational worth. I own my face and head and if I want it fashioned to look like a MOKOMOKAI which I do I give Lea Anna an exceptional Artist licence to do so. I would also expect there a heaps of people who'd love to see my head shrunken anyway. I am amazed at peoples concepts of Tapu in Pre European analysis and Post European colonial contact. Its quite disturbing and frightening that Maori have a contradictory opinion. The Trust is hoping to announce a Major sponsor for the display this year. Before we try to take the message to the World we have to convert our own people Maoridom. Lea Ana's creations made International headlines and she featured on European, Australasian, and USA TV & radio broadcasts as well as front page in major publications. Trust Director Maui Dalvanius Prime will leave June 2000 for the USA for a lecture tour and While in America Dalvanius will meet Lea Anna and take delivery of the display. Lea Anna's website created International outcry when the artist advertised replica's of Mokomokai (preserved Maori heads) for sale. Dalvanius the director of a 3 x1 hr TV series MOKOMOKAI THE DOCUMENTARY will also use Lea Anna's replicas to recreate pre european war scenes and Mokomokai preparation scenes as described by HORATIO GORDAN ROBLEY in his book MOKO. They will also be used in a special haka scene where warriors return from battle some with the heads of fallen loved ones others with the heads of their enemy. A scene will depict a family crying over the head of their loved one. NA : Maui Dalvanius Prome Director Mokomokai Education Trust. Director Mokomokai The Documentary Author Mokomokai The Book Lecturer Mokomokai The Lecture. |