A giant fale pod created by renowned NZ artist Michael Tuffery will grace Cathedral Square during the 2007 Christchurch Arts Festival (26 July - 12 August).

The 5.5m high sculpture will be used as a giant screen for Tuffery's new multimedia work, @ First Contact. Archival footage inspired by Captain Cook's voyages and live coverage from arts festival performances will be projected onto the pod.A giant fale pod created by renowned NZ artist Michael Tuffery will grace Cathedral Square during the 2007 Christchurch Arts Festival (26 July - 12 August).

The 5.5m high sculpture will be used as a giant screen for Tuffery's new multimedia work, @ First Contact. Archival footage inspired by Captain Cook's voyages and live coverage from arts festival performances will be projected onto the pod.The extraordinary voices of the Cook Island Community and their 'Imenetuki' Choir and drums represesnt Tuffery's exploration of Cook's voyages. They will be joined by the Island Summer guitar orchestra led by Pos Mavaega - bringing the old and new music of the Pacific, interspersed with Tuffery's imagery, onto the fale pod.

NZ artists Ardijah take the stage for the opening festival event inside the TelstraClear Club. Remembered for their brand of funk and R&B with Polynesian elements such as wooden drums and the ukulele, Ardijah and scored a top three hit in 1988 with "Watchin U". The soundtrack to @ First Contact combines Ardijah's Betty Anne with archival footage and highlighted performances outside the club.

Existing footage has also been collated from various sources, including the British Museum, Museum of Natural History and Kew Gardens.

When: 26 July - 12 August 2007
Where: Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Cost: Free

16/7/07