'Asi - The presence of the Unseen

Faumuina, Cecelia Pepe

'Asi - The presence of the Unseen

aut.embargo	No	en_NZ
aut.thirdpc.contains	Yes	en_NZ
aut.thirdpc.permission	Yes	en_NZ
dc.contributor.advisor	Ings, Welby
dc.contributor.advisor	Wilson, Jani
dc.contributor.advisor	Refiti, Albert L.
dc.contributor.author	Faumuina, Cecelia Pepe
dc.date.accessioned	2022-08-08T04:00:47Z
dc.date.available	2022-08-08T04:00:47Z
dc.date.copyright	2022
dc.date.issued	2022
dc.date.updated	2022-08-08T03:35:42Z
dc.description.abstract	In 1993, Wolfgramm referred to the climax in faiva as ‘asi (the presence of the unseen). This spirit of artistic expression is an agent sometimes identified when Oceanic people work together to bring artistic works to their apotheosis. Building on the idea of the unseen spirit that energises and gives agency to artistic work, this thesis asks, “What occurs when young Oceanic people work together creatively in a group, drawing on values from their cultural heritage to create meaningful faiva?” In posing this question, the study seeks to understand how, within this process, ‘asi might bring forward a powerful spirit of belonging that resources artistic practice. As such, it proposes that the ‘asi identifiable at the peak of a performance, may be also discernible before and after such an event, and resource the energy of artistic practice as a whole. As an artistic inquiry the research considers two bodies of work. The first is a co-created project called Lila. This was developed by a team of research participants2 who combined talents and experiences to produce a contemporary faiva for presentation in 2019. This case study is used in conjunction with interviews from contemporary Oceanic youth leaders who reflect on the nature and agency of ‘asi as a phenomenon that resources artistic practice. The second body of work is the development and performance of the researcher’s experience and synthesis of thinking in a contemporary faiva called FAIVA \| FAI VĀ. This is presented as part of the examination of this thesis. Emanating from the perspective of a teacher who has worked with students for over 20 years, the piece employs spoken word poetry, sound, drawing, video design and performance. These elements interweave autobiographical reflection and poetic portraits to reflect on the nature and agency of ‘asi. The significance of the research lies in its contribution to a distinctive understanding of ‘asi, such that we might identify and consider its potential agency for resourcing creativity and belonging inside the development and performance of contemporary faiva among Oceanic youth.	en_NZ
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/10292/15350
dc.language.iso	en	en_NZ
dc.publisher	Auckland University of Technology
dc.rights.accessrights	OpenAccess
dc.title	'Asi - The presence of the Unseen	en_NZ
dc.type	Thesis	en_NZ
thesis.degree.grantor	Auckland University of Technology
thesis.degree.level	Doctoral Theses
thesis.degree.name	Doctor of Philosophy	en_NZ