Port Vila. Joseph John, 2011. (Photo Credit: EWC Gallery.)

In cooperation with the East-West Center’s Pacific Islands Report (PIR), Hawaii Public Radio (HPR) broadcasts news and special reports pertaining to the Pacific Islands region. PIR’s Assistant Editor and Pacific News Correspondent for Hawaii Public Radio, Edelene Osedil Uriarte from Palau, produces the weekly audio for Pacific news reports and features!

On June 20, 2011 Edelene released an audio interview with Vanuatu Exhibition curator, Haidy Geismar. In this interview Haidy talks about the artwork of seven ni-Vanuatu artists’ personal experiences in Port Vila. Together with Eric Wittersheim, Haidy curated the exhibition titled “Port Vila, Mi Lavem Yu: Port Vila, I love you”, which will appear at EWC Gallery from May 22, 2011 until  September 11, 2011.

This is the first exhibition devoted to Vanuatu’s urban culture. The exhibition is divided into sections, each of which touches on a key zone of urban experience: the marketplace, the home, the urban nakamal or kava bar, Bislama (Vanuatu’s creole) and contemporary art. Working with friends and colleagues from different parts of Port Vila, the curators collected everyday objects, archival images, documentary film and contemporary art. A group of Port Vila youth, part of the Wan Smol Bag Youth Photography Project took their cameras to the streets to document their lives. Six Vanuatu contemporary artists were commissioned to create work for the exhibition, specifically engaging with their urban experience, and providing commentary on life in town.

Listen to this audio piece at  Pacific Islands Report.

Links:

• Read more about the exhibition at the EWC Arts and Performances website
• View images related to the Port Vila exhibition
• Learn more about the Pacific Islands Development Program
• Visit the Pacific Islands Report website