LATE and great

The final LATE at the Museum for 2010 drew together the old and the young in some of the more hallowed areas of our grand building on the hill to hear Sir Lloyd Geering, and to see the fantastic Annah Mac take to the stage to sing…

The final Late at the Museum for 2010 drew together the old and the young in some of the more hallowed areas of our grand building on the hill.

We didn’t make it in time for the Mount Roskill School Ukelele group, but have been fortunate to see this wonderfully diverse group of kids play with such energy and enthusiasm previously, and realise how perfect this group was to open for Sir Lloyd Geering, himself a bubbly and enthusiastic 92 with both challenging and inspirational ideas about faith.

For this LATE, the discussion was held in the Maori court, providing a sacred and majestic environment to discuss issues of faith. Sir Lloyd, ably directed by Finlay McDonald, spoke with a passion and deep understanding that made me feel as though I was an attendee at TED and as the talk progressed – the hall became increasingly silent as the audience were drawn into thinking deeper themselves about faith, our responsibility to community and our environment.

The discussion ended to sustained applause and a few people offering a standing ovation in appreciation of what was, without a doubt, a stirring, heartfelt and challenging talk.

The fantastic Annah Mac took to the stage for a song that perfectly summed up the environment and intellectual stimulation.

Following the discussion we sifted out into the grand foyer and began a journey around the museum galleries to take in some amazing young talent from Mike Chunn’s Play it Strange foundation. We caught the Papatoetoe High School Girls with some well executed Beyonce stylings before heading into the Origins gallery for Eden Roberts, and the Oceans gallery for Issie Hallwright. In my opinion, both Issie and Eden are immensly talented young women and I for one made particular note of their names as I’m sure we’ll be seeing much more from both in the future.

So, with a glass of wine waiting for us at a bar slightly closer to home, we headed back out into a warm Auckland evening and spent the next hour celebrating the rich young talent in this country (and those who help bring it to us), as well as the deep knowledge, wisdom and taonga of our elders who challenge and stimulate our thinking.

This year’s LATE at the Museum series has been inspiring, exciting, fresh and innovative and a valuable addition to the arts calendar and culture in Auckland, here’s to more in 2011.

Story and photos by Lane Hannah, 2 December 2010.