This summer, local artists and artisans will undertake short-term stays at Isolation Hotel. Each artist will respond to a specially selected taonga (treasure) from the Museum collection, reflecting on historical techniques or the influence of a particular period on their work.
Moa were large flightless birds that went extinct soon after humans arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand. Scientists can learn about moa by studying their remains. A selection of moa remains is on display in Isolation Hotel, including leg bones, a skull, a coprolite (fossilised poo), the contents of a long-dead moa's gizzard, and the bones of a moa's voicebox.
These objects were chosen by writer and Isolation Hotel in-residence guest AJ Fitzwater. AJ is an artisanal curator of the SFFnal, plucking the choicest words to describe genderpunk worlds and lives.
Venue: Canterbury Museum, 11 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch
For more information: https://www.canterburymuseum.com/whats-on/long-term-resident-moa-remains/
Attached to this exhibit is a talk on Moa on 2 February. AJ and Paul Scofield, Senior Curator Natural History at the Museum will discuss what these remains can tell us about how moa lived, and AJ will explain how moa are involved in their latest project.
For more information: www.canterburymuseum.com/whats-on/meet-the-residents-aj-fitzwater-and-paul-scofield/
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For more check out the Hub’s content on the Moa.
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