Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS 2 GIRLS 1 CONFERENCE?

2 GIRLS 1 CONFERENCE is the name of Leilani Kake and Ema Tavola’s fundraising campaign to generate funds to support their travel and participation in the 11^th International Symposium of the Pacific Arts Association in Vancouver, Canada (6-9 August 2013).

• The Pacific Arts Association 11th International Symposium theme is, Pacific Intersections and Cross-Currents: Unchartered Histories and Future Trends. Click here to read more.

WHY ARE WE GOING?

After submitting abstracts to the Pacific Arts Association (PAA) in October 2012, Leilani and Ema were both invited to develop papers for the upcoming International Symposium.

Leilani’s paper is entitled, Pacifica Obscura – it is an analysis of New Zealand-based Pacific video artists Tanu Gago, Janet Lilo, Siliga David Setoga and Angela Tiatia. Ema is part of a panel called, Curating Pacific Spaces: The New School of Contemporary Pacific Art from New Zealand. She is speaking alongside New Zealand curators Reuben Friend and Shelley Jahnke-Bishop and contributing her insights of grassroots curating and community engagement in South Auckland.

The PAA regards their gatherings as opportunities for contemporary artists, cultural leaders, historians, museum and gallery curators, researchers, and collectors to engage in lively and creative dialogue in the spirit of true enquiry.

We are passionate about making Pacific art from South Auckland visible in this forum. It’s an opportunity to network and engage interested parties from across the globe and can often lead to further opportunities.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

We are aiming to raise NZ$6000 to cover the cost of airfares, accommodation and stipends plus conference related travel and activities.

WHAT OTHER FUNDING AVENUES HAVE BEEN EXPLORED?

Ema received a Creative New Zealand grant in November 2012 to curate Margaret Aull’s solo exhibition, Concealed Ancestors. Unfortunately this made her ineligible for both the February and March funding rounds that could have supported this trip.

Leilani also committed creative arts funding energies towards a curatorial project; she is curating a group exhibition of Cook Islands artists for Fresh Gallery Otara in August.

Both Ema and Leilani are currently full-time post-graduate students, commitments that have absorbed time and energy that could have been committed to generating wider stakeholder relationships in different circumstances.

The 2 GIRLS 1 CONFERENCE fundraising effort is split into three areas:

• A PledgeMe crowdfunding campaign
• An art auction
• The sale of a limited edition art t-shirt designed in partnership with Tepora Malo