Video poems embrace culture and creativity to honour Italian language and poet Dante Alighieri
With funding from the Italian Cultural Institute (Sydney), Dr Leotta and Reader Sonzogni produced three short films, which recite the last triplets of the three canticles from Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise) over images of the city, sea, and nature of Wellington.
This project involved a number of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington staff, students, and alumni from a variety of disciplines. The videos were directed by Dr Leotta, Film lecturer, Ehsan Hazaveh, PhD candidate in Film and Media Studies, and Shu Run Yap, Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice) alumna.
The poems were recited by poets Anahera Gildea, PhD candidate in Creative Writing, Dr Emalani Case, lecturer in Pacific Studies, and Bill Manhire, Emeritus Professor of English and Creative Writing. Anahera Gildea also provided the te reo Māori translations for the videos.
“This project shows the potential of collaboration within the University and was a chance to develop our creative juices,” says Reader Sonzogni. “The ongoing connections between the Schools and programmes, as well as graduates and students with staff, allows for this intercultural and interdisciplinary cooperation.”
Dr Leotta adds, “We all work in different ways and in different places but have a shared appreciation of creativity that is important to foster and encourage within the humanities and creative arts. The films celebrate goodwill, talent, and an appreciation for creativity, culture, and language.”