Unitec Scala Seminar Series 1

The Unitec Scala Seminar Series presents a free public seminar on Thursday 30 July, 2015 at 12.30 - 1.30pm at Unitec Institute of Technology, Mount Albert. The Scala Seminar Series is designed to provide students, staff and practitioners with high quality, relevant information from academics and practitioners on a variety of topics relating to the multi-disciplinarity of architecture, landscape design and landscape architecture.

The first talk in a series of two is presented by Desna Whaanga-Schollum, a designer, artist and researcher at DWS Creative Ltd. The talk is titled Cultural Identity and Kaitiakitanga: Moving beyond the conservation estate.

Desna’s work is connected through the kaupapa of exploration and articulation of identity. She has designed, managed and delivered branding, websites, arts and museum exhibitions and events. In her fourth term as co-chair of Ngā Aho, Māori Design Professionals Society, Desna is actively involved in Māori Identity discourse in Aotearoa via Treaty of Waitangi research, exhibitions, wānanga and speaking engagements.

Desna’s mahi explores the practical role that design communication can play in bridging gaps of understanding between cultures and business practices in the New Zealand landscape.

Kaitiakitanga in relation to landscape is often perceived as a conservationist ethic, precluding human integration and business practice. What does active kaitiakitanga look like? How can culturally connected design improve the articulation of a Māori way of knowing the environment and in doing so, support the validity of Māori knowledge within science and business practices?

NZILA CPD: 0.5 points (category 3d), NZRAB CPD: 10 pts (register to sign at seminar), ADNZ CPD: 2 points.

Work Experience points available for attending BLA students (10).

For further seminar information visit the website. To join the mailing list contact swake@unitec.ac.nz.