What if cities were sites of discussion?

In this multi-disciplinary, three-day symposium the city features as both a space of performance and a space performing itself. Participants discuss topics as varied as housing, posthumanism and city performance, urban architectures, poetry, and kaitiakitanga, while engaging with the “What if the City was a Theatre?” performances throughout Wellington.

SYMPOSIUM OPENING
City Gallery Adam Auditorium
Welcome, performances, and keynote address by Dorita Hannah

DAY ONE
Claims to Space
Te Wharewaka-o-Poneke and throughout city

Walking tour: Indigenous knowledges and Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Tour led by Angela Kilford and Kura Puke

Lunchtime roundtable: What if the City was a Theatre? Panel discussion and lunch. Panelists propose a series of provocations and questions for audience members to keep in mind throughout the weekend’s symposium and performances.

Curated visits to City/Theatre performances

Panel discussion: What about spatial justice? Kaitiakitanga, Performance, and Collaboration

DAY TWO
Sympoesis—Making Together With
Across Wellington Waterfront

Citizens Assembly by Binge Culture Collective: The public is invited to join and vote in a lively participatory assembly on Wellington housing.

Korero and Kai
Public discussion and kai, facilitated by Jack Gray

Curated visits to City/Theatre performances

Panel discussion: “Developing” Cities: Class, Economics, Housing, and Gentrification

Panel discussion: Whose City? Body, Space, Culture - City Gallery Adam Auditorium

DAY THREE
Urban Futures: City Gallery Wellington and Performance Arcade Stage

Panel Discussion: “Thing power:” Posthumanism and City Performance

Poetry Reading
Performance Arcade Stage

Artist Talk: Art and Labour: Working to Keep the Lights On, Marcus McShane and Katrina Bastian

Curated visits to City/Theatre performances

Panel discussion: The City in the Anthropocene: Performing Urban Geology and Te Taiao

Roundtable: What if cities could talk? Reflecting on the City/Theatre Festival and Symposium

Closing karakia