South Side Story

Choreographer Moss Patterson brings the cultural history of Manukau alive in a multimedia work.

- Sarah Catherall

When Moss Patterson left his role as artistic director of Atamira Dance Company last year, he wanted to head in a new direction – creating performances that were about more than just dance.

To do that, he founded his own company, Tohu. This year’s Tempo Dance Festival will debut Tohu’s One: The Earth Rises, a multicultural piece, fusing tai chi, Polynesian dance and Mori kapa haka, as a representation of the whakapapa of Auckland’s Manukau region.

Patterson (Ngti Twharetoa) has incorporated live music and art into the piece.

“I love choreography, but I’m not interested in straight-out dance pieces. I’ve been a choreographer for more than 15 years, so I’m looking to creating holistic art spaces where we have art experiences. That’s exciting and where art is going.’’