Publisher's Synopsis
Cook Islanders, Cook Islands residents, artists, choreographers, performers and scholars write about the vibrancy of local dance, drumming, fashion, painting, quilting, carving, weaving, tapa making, theatre, and other creative endeavours. The book's 21 chapters provide compelling evidence of Cook Islands visual and performance art as essentially collaborative endeavours, often inspired by the vision of ta'unga or experts, but elaborated through the collective improvisation of artists or performers who at the same time observe a highly complex, delicate and critical sense for ensemble. Significantly, improvisation and innovation may come from any member of the group ensuring that Cook Islands art retains a strong 'grass-roots' enthusiasm, while undergoing constant reinvention and renewal.
