Somewhere
between a laughing Buddah and Luna Park the masque is a travesty
that flies in the face of years of post-colonial theory and one
must wonder by whom it was created and for what purpose. It is
undoubtedly not decorative although I sense, that this was the
original intention. It was also possibly to provide a (superfluous)
air of authenticity in an area that requires no such thing. The
Rotorua district is steeped in history and if one is an enthusiastic
tourist it is not difficult to find the authentic trappings of
Maori Culture.
The
mysterious mask is a jarring experience for the unsuspecting visitor
and yet it has provided an interesting perch for the colony of
peacocks that inhabit Tikitere. I should mention here that New
Zealand is largely devoid of native animals and the native birds
tend to shy away from human contact. The introduced and ubiquitous
peacock which is found in parks throughout the country has gained
the status of an honorary native. (Not unlike a significant part
of the human population) This, however, is a complex issue and
there is not enough space here to elucidate. Suffice it to say
that the mask, which scarcely provides a legitimate reference
to Maori culture, might also be situated within this bizarre zone
of the honorary. In conclusion, it is a public erection so difficult
to fathom we can at best offer only a few ideas as to its purpose
and success as an aesthetic object
