Interarts project Rushes lays out a loop of ephemerally-wrapped rooms that invite the viewer to experience live dance, film, song and soundscapes. With a diverse range of performers spanning generations, live musicians paint an aural backdrop as dozens of dancers wend their bodies amidst the elements, and AV projections tower above.

Or as choreographer Malia Johnston describes it "think live music gig meets art gallery meets theatre, dance and film."

Singer/songwriter Eden Mulholland, video artist Rowan Pierce, set designer John Verryt and dancer Taiaroa Royal are just some of the names involved.

It sounds like a big undertaking, and so it should. After 14 years as the WOW artistic director, and a choreographic fellowship from Creative New Zealand in 2013,  Rushes is the latest work from Malia's Movement of the Human company.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

Working with people and learning new things as we work is what I love the most.  I still find it exhilarating hearing what people are making and how they think.  I get fascinated and love hearing personal stories, learning more about different perspectives, ways of being or operating in the world.

Tell us a bit about your background 

I have a a career in the performing arts that started professionally after training in 1999. I started working on the Wearable Art Awards show in 2001 and became the artistic director, I was involved for over 14 years.  I teach, consult, choreograph, direct and work with an array of organisations and companies througout New Zealand

Why did you move on from WOW? 

I finised working with WOW in 2015. It was incredible working with a huge range of amazng designers and artists on a large scale. I had achieved a lot on the WOW stage and it was time for different challenges, a time for growth in other areas. 

When and why did you start Movement of the Human? 

I was interested in establishing a structure that encompassed the range of work I am interested in. I was watching a programme early 2015 about the ever shifting landscape of historical knowledge of geneology and human evolution when Movement Of The Human jumped at me in that context, moving information, moving people and the miriad of ways that we use movement to express ourselves either through ritual, conditioning, learned forms and locomotion.

The company consists of a range of artists hailing from a variety of mediums but all whom have an interest in movement design. 

Tell us about Rushes! It sounds like a big undertaking!

Rushes came about after receiving the choreographic fellowship from Creative New Zealand in 2013.
 
Rushes is an interarts project that lays out a loop of ephemerally-wrapped rooms that invite the viewer to experience a range of live dance, film, song and soundscapes. The work contains a diverse and large range of performers spanning generations who inhabit the space and the audience can navigate the space as they please - think live music gig meets art gallery meets theatre, dance and film.

What is interarts and what are the rewards and challenges of working this way?

An offical defination is at least two or more art disciplines used to create a specific art work.  This is broad. From my perspective interarts is where independent art forms OR practices collide together and develop an expereince that is a unique result of that collision.  This requires leadership from a minimum of two practices. 

Why did you want it to be part of Auckland Fringe?

The Auckland Fringe dates alined perfectly with our work and collaboration with Auckland Live, we all agreed it was great timing.  The Fringe is a fabulous platform for invention and connection with new audiences and it's awesome that we are participating in Auckland Fringe again.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?  

Be flexible, receptive and open to possibilites for where your work can exist and how you can practice as an artist to support your life so you can also continue to make your work.

What are some of the current challenges and opportunities in the creative sector?

Challenges: A rapidly changing social media system driving trends and access to information, density of events on offfer, limited resources.  

Opportunities: The diversity of work being made and created, how creative practice fits into corporations and businesses as they open their doors towards the creative sector, and increased access to opportunities internationally for kiwi artists.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

First of all it would be Rodney Bell, whom I made Meremere with last year and whom recently won an attitude award in recognition of his recent work including Meremere. 

And there is an incredible array of New Zealanders creating real life developments in access at the minute through design.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

Walk the hills with a dog in tow – best ever stress release invitation I have ever had.

What’s your big idea for 2017?

After Rushes it’s working with several companies on brand new ventures so 2017 is about possibilities and new ideas which is BIG!

• Auckland Live and Movement of the Human in association with Auckland Fringe Festival present Rushes, 21 – 25 February, Lower NZI, Aotea Centre 

Auckland Fringe Festival 2017 is on from 21 February – 12 March.