Toqa is showcasing their new film at Foster Botanical Garden for Hawaii Contemporary’s 2022 Triennial
Toqa is a sustainable high fashion label we featured before. One of the designers is my friend, Aiala, and it was awesome to see her working on this installation. I am so proud of her and cannot wait to see the final product!
TOQA at Foster Botanical Garden
Along with two other artists, Toqa will feature their work at Foster Botanical Garden from February 18 – May 8, 2022 for the Hawaii Triennial. Toqa is decorating the orchid conservatory, where their new film – Midnight Smoothie – will be projected onto a screen for the viewing public. Learn more about their last film, a runway fashion show.
About Toqa
Toqa is a sustainable high fashion label focused on Sport Resort. To create their collections, Toqa weaves together a unique aesthetic, a deep appreciation for community, and collaboration as a source of genuine tropical production. They honor the conversational culture that has ultimately shaped their output and aim to be inclusive, minimize environmental impact, and promote alternative methods of production.
Moodyisle: Interview with Toqa Designer, Aiala
Moodyisle is an interdisciplinary experience bringing together sustainable high fashion, community, and cinema.
One of the Toqa designers, Aiala, is a local who recently returned to Hawaii. With strong ties to the Philippines, Toqa uses fashion and art as diplomatic tools to forge relationships across the Pacific.
TOQA’s Process
We had so much fun being a part of Toqa’s creative process. It was such a great experience to work alongside an artist on their installation! If you are interested in volunteering for something like this, you can contact Hawaii Contemporary as they are looking for volunteers to help with installations and to help throughout the entirety of the show.
When we first walked into the conservatory, we noticed the coral-like embellishments that Toqa installed. These are actually branches and foliage that have been spraypainted! I loved the colors, as well as the way that this reflected the interconnectedness of nature’s design.
Hawaii Triennial 2022
Hawaii Triennial 2022 (HT22) will run from February 18th to May 8th. HT22 will be framed around the fluid concept of Pacific Century – E Ho‘omau no Moananuiākea, interweaving themes of history, place, and identity within the context of Hawaii’s unique location at the confluence of Asia-Pacific and Oceania.
HT22’s 43 artists and collectives feature over 60 participants including internationally renowned cultural figures exhibiting alongside multiple generations of Hawai‘i-based artists, as well as others making their U.S. institutional debut. The citywide exhibition will take place at: Bishop Museum, Foster Botanical Garden, Hawaii Theatre Center, Hawai‘i State Art Museum, Iolani Palace, Honolulu Museum of Art, and Royal Hawaiian Center.
HT22 is curated by curatorial director Dr. Melissa Chiu (director of the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden in Washington DC), in collaboration with associate curators Dr. Miwako Tezuka (associate director of the Reversible Destiny Foundation in New York) and Drew Kahu‘āina Broderick (director of Koa Gallery, Kapiolani Community College in Honolulu). Learn more about the curators of Hawaii Triennial 2022.
The eleven-week event is organized by Hawaii Contemporary, a Honolulu-based nonprofit organization, and made possible by presenting sponsors Hawai‘i State Art Museum, supported by State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and MakeVisible, a nonprofit whose mission is to create and sponsor innovative platforms for artists.
I am personally so excited to see this citywide exhibition! I attended the Biennial when it was at Ward Village and loved the experience there. I am looking forward to witnessing the growth of this event by Hawaii Contemporary and to visiting the wonderful locations that will be featured throughout the city!
Leave a Reply