Slow Flow - Te Ia Kōrero - 2010
Overview
Slowflow 2010 was a trip down the Whanganui River, Aotearoa/New Zealand between Jan 21st and Jan 31st 2010. Slowflow will be run again in 2011 dates to be announced soon.
Slowflow invited artists, technologists, writers and environmentalists on a 10 day journey down the Whanganui River by double hulled 22 person waka haurua (canoe) and bicycle, creating a setting for a flow of conversations - Te Ia Kōrero.
Slowflow imagines living in a post carbon future where physical transport has slowed to human speed, energy use is constrained and renewable, production is collaborative and relocalised. Taking a few days out from global hypermobility, slowflow models the contemporary ecotopian dream and paddles and cycles it through a landscape of narratives.
The journey starts high up the Whanganui River beneath the volcano Ruapehu and passes through the native bush for 5 days by river, staying at marais on the way. Emerging from the forest and shifting to bicycles, it continues to sites of counter cultural interest, Jerusalem, the abandoned Ahu Ahu Ohu commune and the Wanganui Police Computer, before reaching the river mouth and the wider network of the sea.
At each site a local expert is invited to give a short talk about the historical context of the site.
Participants are asked to bring a project to make or experiment with on the trip. Whether it be a piece of technology, a piece of media, an art work, doumentation of the trip, some writing, or music the collective common wealth of works will form the basis of an exhibition at the Greenbench in 2011.
Works from Slowflow 2009 will be shown at the Green Bench opening Jan 31st 2009.
(Slowflow 2009 trip page is here.)
Itinerary
For detail of where to join Slowflow including maps and timings see Meeting Points 2010
| Date | Activity/Location |
|---|---|
| Thursday 21st Jan | |
| Day | Bus - Whanganui - RauRimu - Whakahoro |
| Launch waka - paddle 1 hr - Whitianga | |
| Night | Whitianga Marai |
| Friday 22nd Jan | |
| Day | 6 hours paddle |
| Night | Mangapapapa |
| Saturday 23rd Jan | |
| Day | Project day Manganpapapa |
| Night Mangapapapa | |
| Sunday 24th Jan | |
| Day | 6 hours paddle |
| Stop at Mangapurua - walk in to Bridge to Nowhere | |
| Night | Tieke |
| Monday 25th Jan | |
| Project Day Tieke | |
| Night | Tieke |
| Tuesday 26th Jan | |
| Day | Paddle to Pipiriki - Bicycle to Jerusalem |
| Night | Jerusalem |
| Wednesday 27th Jan | |
| Day | Shared meal with a Permaculture design workshop Jerusalem |
| Night | Jerusalem |
| Thursday 28th Jan | |
| Day | 1/2 Day cycle to Ātene Marai |
| Night | Atene |
| Friday 29th Jan | |
| Community Weekend, Kōrerorero | |
| Night | Ātene Marai |
| Saturday 30th Jan | |
| Walk into Ahu Ahu Ohu (tbc) | |
| Night | Ātene |
| Sunday 31st Jan | |
| Day | Cycle to Whanganui |
| Visit to Pākaitore | |
| Whanganui Police Computer | |
| Night | Slowflow Show opening at Greenbench |
Map
Logistics
All boating equipment will be provided. We have a number of recycled bicycles from Whanganui Green Bikes including one tandem and can provide these for people who can't bring their own.
Food and accommodation will be provided. Please indicate your food preferences on the registration form.
You will need to bring appropriate clothing. For a full list of what to bring check out the Packing List
Partners
Slowflow is organised by:
- The Green Bench
- One River Many Journeys
Slowflow partners with:
- Intercreate www.intercreate.org
- Banff New Media Institute and the Art Mobile Lab, Canada www.banffcentre.ca/BNMI/
Community Days
In the lower section of the journey Jan 28th - 31st 2010 Slow Flow opens up to visitors.
People wishing to accompany the trip should provide their own bicycle, food and tent and register below.
Costs
Included in the full price are transport from Wanganui, boat and equipment hire, food, accomodation, and bicycle hire.
Costs are $100 New Zealand Dollars per person per day.
Community Day costs $20 per adult per night payable on the day for camping and facilities - children welcome and free!
Payment will be required before the start of the trip.
Invitations
Formal invitations can be supplied on request by the Green Bench for those able to seek funds from their institutions or funding organisations and for visa purposes.
Support and Collaboration
If you or your organisation would like to offer any kind of support or suggest any other type of collaboration please email slowflow at greenbench dot org.
Flyer
A printable A6 flyer is available here.