Haare Williams and Michael Krzanich
The Making of Someone’s Mana
Saturday 1 July, 10.30am.
German publisher Hatje Cantz debuted Someone’s Mana at Paris Photo in November 2016. By early 2017 it was distributed to over 40 countries and became a finalist in New Zealand’s Photo Book of the Year Award.
The theme and journey in creating Someone’s Mana was unique and challenging. “I had given myself a big problem,” says Michael. “I wanted the photo book to be about mana from another individual’s perspective. I’d always loved the entity of mana, but didn’t feel I had the right to present it culturally.”
Witi Ihimaera came to the rescue by introducing Michael to Haare in March 2016. “Haare’s words are so enchanting, seductive, and personal. I was besotted with them. We collaborated and Someone’s Mana became this wonderfully multi-dimensional book.”
The Session
Join Haare and Michael as they discuss their journey in creating Someone’s Mana. Listen to Haare recite his work to projected photographs from the book,
and discover the connection to mana as Michael reflects on the stories behind the taking of specific images.
Haare Williams
Haare Williams was raised on the shores of the Ohiwa Harbour in the traditional Māori way. He did not speak English until his schooling started at age eight.
Haare has published poetry, is an exhibited painter, a script writer and lyricist for film and television. “I write, paint, and sing the living spirit of the spoken word. I try to capture visual language that gives new significance to our values as we grow in maturity towards who we are as New Zealanders.”
Michael Krzanich
Melbourne-based photographer Michael Krzanich grew up on the east coast of the North Island. The family’s old kauri house stood ten feet away from a steep drop to the rugged beach of Wainui. His bedroom door opened to a sandy plot of buffalo grass, clumps of aloe vera and cement steps down to the rolling surf. “The beach’s smell and sound proclaimed the seasons; winter’s bite and the salted roar, warm night sand and summer’s peace. My home never needed to be locked. Such is the precious mana of this land.”
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See next event: Meeting Mansfield, with graphic novelist Sarah Laing.
