Fresh from representing New Zealand at the Biennale of Sydney, Wellington-based artist Shannon Te Ao is presenting his moving-image installation "Follow the Party of the Whale" at the Adam Art Gallery from 27 May.

This is the first of three one-work installations brought together as RELOAD: Kirk Gallery Series 2014. Te Ao’s installation will be followed in July by a provocative video ‘lecture’ by Berlin-based artist, Hito Steyerl, "Is the Museum a Battlefield?"

Third in the series is a specially commissioned installation featuring the video "Collector’s Edition Glitch" by Auckland-based artist, Eddie Clemens. This uses the Adam Art Gallery’s architecture as a prop for, and a feature in, a work that montages scenes and outtakes from various movies by and about James Cameron.

"Follow the Party of the Whale" is a two-channel video projection that uses the strategies of performance art to reflect on the fate of the Maori prophet leaders Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kakahi and their followers, during their two-year incarceration in Dunedin after removal from their pacifist community at Parihaka in Taranaki in 1881.

This is one highlight in a busy year for the artist, who will be included in a group show at the forthcoming Edinburgh Festival and is working on a catalogue featuring essays on three of his recent videos about to be published by the Physics Room in Christchurch.

What: RELOAD: Kirk Gallery Series 2014 featuring: Shannon Te Ao, Follow the Party of the Whale, 27 May–29 June Hito Steyerl, Is the Museum a Battlefield? 4 July–10 August Eddie Clemens, Collector’s Edition Glitch, 15 August–21 September

Where: Adam Art Gallery, Victoria University of Wellington Gate 3, Kelburn Parade

When: 27 May–21 September Tuesday–Sunday, 11am–5pm (closed on Monday) Free entry