April 20 & 21 - Honolulu Lalava Workshop with Filipe Tohi

Tongan-born Filipe Tohi of Aotearoa (New Zealand) is a world renowned artist known for his mastery of the ancient Tongan art of lalava (decorative lashing). His artistic and cultural interpretations of the art form will be offered in a hands-on workshop exploring lalava. The workshops will be held at the Academy Art Center at Linkekona, 1111 Victoria Street, across from the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

Tohi has dedicated the last 17 years of his life to studying the intricate, complex design patterns of these lashings, which create a cultural language hidden within the layers of black and brown coconut sennit wrapped around the beams of fales and sailing canoes. Come and learn about Tohi’s artistic quest to understand the profound and expansive cultural knowledge that was recorded in the patterns of the lalava. “Lalava was our computer,” he says. “Knowledge about astronomy and navigation mathematics and physics, the environment and history are all recorded here, within the patterns of the lalava.”

This is a hands-on workshop and projects will include basic lashing, which is applicable to tools, canoes and buildings. The extended time frame of the seminar will address the more decorative two color lalava patterns. During the initial part of the seminar students will learn the foundational methods for tying t-joints and cross-beams, which will then incorporate two color processes on these types of bindings. Secondly, students will develop the skills to handle the larger, more complicated and symbolic patterns of lalava such those as seen in western Polynesian fales and meeting houses. With the basic patterns established, students will be encouraged to continue to experiment with combinations of colors and apply them to larger scale projects. This seminar is a great opportunity to develop skills using lalava technology while learning about this significant aspect of Polynesian heritage.

April 20-21
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tuition: $125 – includes materials
For information call (808) 532-8741