In these times of ongoing fascism and genocide - with their intensified sense of urgency, scarcity and fear - both university and activist spaces are increasingly inhospitable to counter-colonial forms of knowing - embodied, inspirited, non-human. 

With this public lecture series we experiment with something other-wise, something awkward. 

Beginning at Matariki 2025, we periodically gather around Whiro to respond to a call by Nigerian post-activist Bayo Akomolafe that the meta-crisis requires us to move not simply forward or backward.

Join us, our ancestors and the darkness as we co-host local speakers and other performers to instead help us collectively listen for/to/with THE AWKWARD:: …ancestors… grief… spirit… wonder… love… land(back)… invasive plants…

How does settler colonialism dismiss, distort, deport, detain, denigrate, demand - co-opt - these otherworldly wisdoms, and what might their awkward stance and dance suggest for our decolonial movements in Aotearoa and beyond?

*2026 pop-up*

Fri 11th Sept, 6.30-8.30pm -

INVASIVE PLANTS:: co-opted

@ SILO 6 - Silo Park - Beaumont St & Jellicoe St - CBD - Tāmaki Makaurau [BYO BLANKET - IT’S COLD INSIDE!]

*2025 series*

Wed 25th June, 6-8pm -

ANCESTORS:: dismissed

Tues 22nd July, 6-8pm -

GRIEF:: distorted

Tues 26th Aug, 6-8pm -

SPIRIT:: deported

Tues 23rd Sept, 6-8pm -

WONDER:: detained

Tues 21st Oct, 6-8pm -

LOVE:: denigrated

Tues 18th Nov, 6-8.30pm -

LAND(BACK):: demanded

@ AUDIO FOUNDATION - Sub-Basement of the Parisian Tie Factory - 4 Poynton Terrace (Off Pitt St or behind St Kevins Arcade) - Tāmaki Makaurau