Liquid Threads
Artist couple revitalizes Hawaiian art forms
At first glance, artists/couple Lehuauakea and Ian Kualiʻi’s sharp-looking, patterned multimedia works appear to be derived from prints. But Kualiʻi’s patterns are hand-painted, and he hopes this challenges viewers to rethink expectations.
Lehuauakea and Kualiʻi (Kānaka Maoli) are slated to debut their new pieces this week at downtown gallery Hecho a Mano. With work stemming from Native Hawaiian practices, Wai Ulana (Woven Waters) features art forms like kapa—traditional Native Hawaiian tree bark cloth—and paper cut by hand to form patterns that are both abstract and realistic.
“It refers to Ian and I coming together, but also our communities coming together,” Lehuauakea says, “how different forms of cultural resurgence come together and how you can’t have one without the other.”
The art of kapa has been passed down for thousands of years, says Lehuauakea, who learned from kapa-maker Wesley Sen (AKA Uncle Wes), says. But they don’t feel a need for their own kapa contributions to be fixed in the past.
“It’s important to tell stories that are relevant to our experiences as Native people today; with new patterns, new ways of working,” they say. “Because our art should move with us rather than stay rooted in time,”
Kualiʻi, who was mentored by master featherworker Rick San Nicolas, has a background in graffiti art, from which he pivoted to the intricate hand-cut paper creations he’s known for today. In his art, Kualiʻi says, he focuses on bringing attention to religious practices that have lain dormant due to settler colonialism. Through his work, he adds, he also strives to bring attention to sacred items that have been looted from Hawaiian cultural sites, with the hope that they will one day be returned to their respective homes.
Kualiʻi is inspired by elders who are rewarded for a “whole lifetime of making and generosity to our people and to our nation,” he says. (Lauren Lifke)
Wai Ulana (Woven Waters): 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2. Free. Hecho a Mano, 129 W Palace Ave., (505) 916-1341
The Other Two
Santa Fe summer seems dedicated to Shakespeare, not that anyone’s complaining about alfresco theater. This week, Santa Fe Classic Theater presents Twelfth Night… Or What You Will, that classic tale of siblingship, disguises, dukes, shipwrecks, love and just desserts. This one was originally commissioned by Queen Elizabeth herself and was originally meant to close out the Christmas season. In other words, it’s a feel-good show, all things considered. So whether you’re down for the love bits, the mistaken identity bits or just plain enjoy a good yarn, your ship, so to speak, hath come in. (Alex De Vore)
Twelfth Night… Or What You Will: 7 pm Thursday, Aug. 1. $40-$55. Santa Fe Botanical Garden, (505) 336-0629
We’re the Best Around—Nothing’s Ever Gonna Keep Us Down
You hold in your hands (or on your screens) the 2024 Best of Santa Fe issue, that annual guide to the citizenry’s most favorite things. ‘Tis a labor of love on SFR’s part, but we’re not ready to rest yet—first we party. This Friday, we’re taking over the Railyard with some of our friends and BOSF winners. Not enough party? Nonprofit promotions outfit Lensic360 will be there, too, with its annual Santa Fe Salutes show. This time popular local musicians are interpreting Taylor Swift jams. So let’s summarize: Come to our big free party with food, drink and so many local faves, then catch notable Santa Fe musicians as they transform into the most rabid Swifties in all the land. (ADV)
2024 Best of Santa Fe Party/Santa Fe Salutes: Taylor: 5-10 pm Friday, Aug. 2. Free. Santa Fe Railyard, Market and Alcaldesa Streets
Burninating the Countryside
Everyone loves a free film event, and everyone likely loves it more when the core premise—outside the movie—is to get someplace cool during the hotter hours of the day. This Tuesday, the LaFarge branch of the Santa Fe Public Library offers its Beat the Heat Movie Matinee with a screening of 2010′s How to Train Your Dragon. The animated affair finds young Viking Hiccup (voiced by Canadian treasure Jay Baruchel) struggling to fit in until he joins forces with the cat-like dragon Toothless. Ruh-roh, though, because Vikings hate dragons. Heartfelt hilarity ensues. And we know what you’re thinking—that it’s kid’s stuff. Maybe so, though but the first in the long-running DreamWorks animation franchise is actually quite funny and très gorgeous. Also, there’s free popcorn and lemonade and AC. (ADV)
Beat the Heat Movie Matinee: 4:30-6 pm Tuesday, Aug. 6. Free. Santa Fe Public Library (LaFarge), 1730 Llano St., (505) 955-4860