Press Release
FUTUNA
Illuminating the histories of Futuna Chapel
Where: 15-17 December 10am-10pm
When: Futuna Chapel, 62 Friend Street, Karori
Admission free, koha appreciated
Designers Andrew Brettell, Sven Mehzoud, Amanda Jelicich-Kane and Andrew Simpson have created a site-specific video
installation that presents the stories of Futuna Chapel. From 15-17 December 10am –10pm the public are invited to
explore the Chapel, now haunted with video projection and a soundscape.
John Scott was asked to design a retreat chapel for the Karori retreat site in 1958. Being of Te Arewa, Irish, Scottish
and English descent Scott produced the first building ever designed on bicultural principles in Aotearoa.
The Marists sold the retreat that was developed into townhouses while the Chapel was used to store lumber. Recently the
Friends Of Futuna Charitable Trust have been campaigning to raise money to purchase the land Futuna Chapel rests on.
This installation is part of an effort to raise awareness of Futuna Chapel’s importance
Along with the installation, at 8:30 each evening on 15-17 December Nick Blake will talk about the architecture of
Futuna Chapel, including the story of Saint Peter Chanel: the first martyr of the South Pacific.
This installation is an exciting, vital way of presenting Wellington’s heritage. Projection is used around the Chapel to
allow visitors to make surprising discoveries.
During our design process we will film an eke, a traditional dance, that was originally performed in penitence by the
people of Futuna after the death of Saint Peter Chanel.
ENDS