Dancer Mary Jane O'Reilly tells Viva about her precious keepsakes.
Tempo, New Zealand's festival of dance, is on right now, thanks to the work of artistic director Mary Jane O'Reilly. The respected dancer who has more than 25 years of experience as a professional dancer, choreographer, director and producer, founded the Auckland Dance Company in 1996 and has worked on events such as the opening ceremony of the 1990 Commonwealth Games. Now the artistic director of Tempo, a position she has held since 2006, O'Reilly talks us through some of her favourite things.
* Tempo, until October 31, tickets and information at tempo.co.nz.
11 FAVOURITE THINGS
1. Charlotte Fisher sculpture in garden
It's a beautifully deconstructed totem. A blend of No. 8 wire practicality fused with an ancient Pacific design element. I bought it when I was making the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.
2. My greenstone
I love the pounamu with an adze edge, love the binding. Quintessentially New Zealand, soft yet precise, ephemeral yet practical. Given to me as a family gift last month at my birthday.
3. Dog drawing
We're a dog family and this old spaniel was drawn by my grandfather who was a fantastic pen and ink artist. This was his dog.
4. Sideboard
Given to my grandparents when they married in Eastbourne, Wellington, circa 1920. No nails, all pegs. It has a beautiful honest simplicity to it and I love the latch at the front.
5. Another Stage
A painting by Jane Zusters given to me when I left Limbs Dance Company.
6. Camphor box
Brought back from Papua New Guinea before World War II. Has the sense of old journeys to it - you can still smell the camphor on the inside.
7. Falling ducks
Our daughter did this painting on a piece of ripped wallpaper. It turns the classic image of three flying ducks on its head.
8. Fan book from Japan
Silk embroidered cover, the fan shape pages, the beautiful haikus inside illustrating the fan designs. The small insight into the Noh characters and plays mentioned are fascinating.
9. My bracelets
One is a Navajo bracelet we bought in Arizona - it's a classic Navajo squash blossom design with a big beautiful Bisbee turquoise in the centre. Lovely on a desert-tanned arm on a hippy adventure in the early 70s. The other is made of paper mache with devils, angels and mermaids. A beautiful contemporary piece of American kitsch bought for me recently by my husband on the Coney Island Boardwalk.
10. My hematite earrings
A recent gift of French Poggi design which is glamorous and elegant.
11. Tango shoes
Bought in Buenos Aires - I'm still struggling to learn this subtle social form.
