The Green of the Earth
While travelling in New Zealand I purchased a Pounamu (also known as Greenstone or New Zealand Jade) ring with an accompanying necklace. Greenstone is “Regarded as having mauri (significant life force), mana (status), and to be tapu (sacred), the value of Pounamu goes far beyond mere economic measure.” (Wae Wae Pounamu 2020). The Maori people have cherished and valued Greenstone for hundreds of years its symbolism in their culture is very apparent. When Captian James Cook first documented his findings of the pounamu, he was puzzled by its spiritual origin stories. “…we were told a hundred fabulous stories about this stone, not one of which carried with it the least probability of truth” (Cook, J., 1842). Each carved shape has a different meaning. The ring or disk “Represents the circle of life which has no beginning or end. It means you have a choice to do and achieve whatever you want to in life.” (Te Wahipounamu 2020). I felt empowered by this meaning. Greenstone weapons, tools and jewellery were traditionally made by the Maori using abrasive techniques. Carving and shaping the stones is “a very labour intensive process and carving one jade necklace could take weeks or months.” (Mountainjade 2020). The intense process of carving makes the significance of the process and material clear. Greenstone was originally passed down through Maori family lines and represents the connectivity between generations and individuals. I am in no way related to these Maori traditions and I would hate to culturally appropriate but I love the symbolism of connectivity. My significant other and I live internationally, I believe us both having pounamu jewellery is a lovely metaphor. In New Zealand, all of these traditions are being kept alive and Greenstone in its raw form is illegal to be transported out of New Zealand as it is the property of the Maori people.
References
Authentic Ngāi Tahu Pounamu. 2020. About. [online] Available at: <https://ngaitahupounamu.com/pages/about> [Accessed 12 March 2020].
Best, E., 1976. Maori Religion And Mythology. Wellington, N.Z: Government Printer, pp.449-459.
Cook, J., 1842. The Voyages Of Captain James Cook. London: W. Smith, p.56.
Mountainjade.co.nz. 2020. Maori Carving Techniques | Traditional Maori Jade (Pounamu) Carving | Mountain Jade New Zealand. [online] Available at: <https://www.mountainjade.co.nz/blogs/news/maori-carving-techniques-used-to-make-jade-necklaces> [Accessed 12 March 2020].
Tewahipounamu.nz. 2020. Meanings » Te Wahi Pounamu. [online] Available at: <https://www.tewahipounamu.nz/meanings/> [Accessed 12 March 2020].
Waewaepounamu.co.nz. 2020. About – Waewae Pounamu. [online] Available at: <https://www.waewaepounamu.co.nz/pages/about> [Accessed 12 March 2020].
Development
After talking to Sarah and peers in our weekly feedback sessions, It became apparent that my outcome didn’t match what my text was trying to convey. The text is all about the immense material value that the Maori people have for pounamu. I decided to revisit and convey this through my use of materials and presentation.
I used 700gsm paper stock to give this 3 page book some heft. I also used premium multigreen thread to give the book a handmade Japanese bind. There is a die-cut in the front panel acting as a window into the ring. I wanted the book to feel more expensive and precious while using materials that I have on hand. I started off this process wanting the front panel and last panel to be made out of a slab of jade, encasing the paper between. I would have loved to see this but I couldn’t mock it up in a way that I liked.
I imagine that this jade book would be on display for all to see in the history museum in Wellington, New Zealand. Overall, I’m happy with the revised outcome.
I love this piece on material selection that I came across while browsing Behance. The designer Chiun Hau You has created a beautifully natural packaging design with great material selection, showcasing what the product is in an elegant way. You can find the post on behance here:
https://www.behance.net/gallery/47048619/-Bath-Powder-Packaging-Design
mbetts.design.blog 