Jalesa Nomani

Meaalofa of Presence: The Gift

Master of Visual Arts Visual Arts Identity Indigenous Methodologies Participatory practices Public space Site Temporary practices Vā Moana / Pacific Spaces

jalesanomani.com

Left: Photograph of Grandfather's remaining Grapefruit Tree at Serwayne (2020). Right: Photograph of Grandfather’s remaining Grapefruit tree at Serwayne with the new fruits in the form of yellow envelopes. These envelopes included a writing prompt for invited guests at the 'Grapefruits' event to place in the tree (2020).

mea - alofa / a - gift - of presence

Meaalofa of Presence (The Gift of Presence) is a research project that was inspired by my aiga. Learning about my culture, my family and their past. Creating a platform to share their stories as a narration invitation to the wider community that could identify with the migrant journey and also those who are intrigued by it. It was a way of creating a collection of knowledge that could be passed down to future generations by unpacking how we got to where we stand now. Utilizing the teachings and principles taught to me from my childhood upbringing, my research and art practice explored how alofa and care influenced each component of the project and investigated the meaning of spaces (physical and non-physical) to understand the layering of connections that reside within them (and between us).

'The Gift' in this project encapsulates this idea of oneness by offering opportunities for acts of alofa to occur between me, the sites and the co-creators - my aiga. Also important to this project was that it was derived from a faith-based perspective, to be still, to be present and invite presence back into diasporic spaces. Being still in the moment and allowing the presence of being in these spaces enables an unveiling of underlying past knowledge to come to the surface. Looking at how connections can be made through stimulating a movement of bodies, like the physical, intellectual and spiritual, to create temporal spaces that invite and hold presence within historically meaningful sites that now lie Vācant. Highlighting the importance of learning and acknowledging our shared pasts and present histories by enlightening one another through exchanging these knowledges.

Film still from talanoa session with family member, about 'What comes to mind when you think of a Grapefruit?' (2020)

Page from Mum's iteration of great-nana Irene's story 'A Time To Remember’.

Great-grandparents blanket with hand-stitched lettering by my mum and I. Sentence taken from great-nana Irene's poem.

This project is based on the teachings of my childhood upbringing. Growing up surrounded by a Pasifika community and whanau, I learnt that our alofa was shown most through acts of service, an action that translates into a method of exchange. It was instilled in me from a young age to serve and relate to others through generosity, kindness, empathy and alofa. These learnings that I carry with me every day have naturally ingrained into a way of making. My research seeks to highlight the importance of learning and acknowledging our pasts and present histories through enlightening another through these actions and teachings. Through lens-based and installational practices, an invitation is extended to create a collective of shared histories, lived experiences and intergenerational knowledge that will ultimately create a platform to open up a talanoa (conversation) for all to reside in one space – to restore ‘left behind’ dreams of the migrant journey.