Events

Join visiting Pōneke percussionist Kieran Monaghan in conversation with multimedia artist-researcher Dr Jo Burzynska

This talk introduces vegetable.machine.animal (VMA), an innovative biosignal-informed project exploring interspecies music-making. Visiting artist Kieran Monaghan will share the ideas, processes, and sound-thinking behind VMA, while discussion with multimedia artist-researcher Dr Jo Burzynska will draw connections with broader artistic approaches to collaboration across species and ecological systems.

VMA is a project facilitated by Kieran Monaghan: kit drummer, percussionist of found sounds, and sonic explorer. Monaghan was the 2024 Sound Artist-in-Residence at Te Kōkī / New Zealand School of Music, is a Visiting Scholar for Te Kōkī, and is currently investigating this project through a CNZ Creative Fellowship.

Established in early 2023, vegetable.machine.animal investigates intersections between spontaneous performance, electronic music, and science-informed interspecies collaboration. The project has developed rapidly, resulting in four albums, a book of writings, three international tours (Java 2024, Taiwan 2025, Australia 2026), two national tours (2025, 2026), three exhibitions, and three residencies.

VMA is presenting in Ōtautahi while on the road with the TRIO Tour, an 18-date schedule spanning Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland to Waihōpai / Invercargill.

More information about Kieran and vegetable.machine.animal: https://skirtedrecords.com/v-m-a/

Dr Jo Burzynska is an Ōhinehou-based multimedia artist-researcher and writer whose creative practice includes collaborative work with plants and fungi. In Hyphal Space (RM Gallery, Auckland, 2023), this invited sensory interactions with living mycelium to explore possibilities for symbiotic relationships between fungal and human communities. This experience informs her conversation with Monaghan about creative approaches to more-than-human collaboration.

Toi Auaha,

5 Worcester Boulevard

Wednesday 18th November 5.30-6.30pm

Koha