The Arts + Science exhibition is taking place over the next two weeks in Ōtepoti Dunedin. It features extraordinary collaborations between artists and scientists — most work visual art but some includes poetry. 

The theme this year is exploring memory, and Michelle Elvy‘s role was as historian/ poet, working with printmaker Manu Berry and psychologist Rachel Zajac. They made a series of layered wallpapers with the memories of Cilla McQueen, who also agreed to participate. Michelle has written a series of poems to accompany the hangings. They’ve been working on it since February.

Memory is a collect call

the moment you ring up and hear the faint connection,
       the click of contact, distant but familiar
the moment before you speak, when there is only
       breath, when there is nothing but space

the hello?

the moment you will ask something of yourself
       that question hanging between all the yous
the moment you hesitate, then wonder: do you accept
       the charges, or hang up?

Michelle Elvy

Janet and John with Cilla’s words