History

MIC Toi Rerehiko is a leading contemporary creative media and interdisciplinary arts centre in Aotearoa New Zealand. MIC Toi Rerehiko nurtures innovation through cross-disciplinary collaboration. Over the years, our development has reflected the integration of creative research and development in emergent technologies with artistic practice.

Originally set up in June 1993 as the Moving Image Centre, MIC Toi Rerehiko relaunches in March 2007 with a new Maori name gifted by artist Rachael Rakena. The new name has layers of meaning reflecting our focus on digital media, experimental art and technology:

Toi art, knowledge, tip, point, summit, origin, source, native, encourage, move quickly, incite, finger, toe
Rere flow, fly, be carried by the wind, sail, rush, flee, escape, rise, leap, descend, fall, hang, be born, be uttered, pass, be omitted, be rejected, waterfall, shoal, swarm, flight
Hiko move at random or irregularly, flash, lightning, electric

The word rerehiko plays on rorohiko meaning computer or electric brain. Rerehiko has been used to mean electronic. Toi Rerehiko means art that employs movement with electricity and flashes of light that which flies, settling momentarily, but leaving no object.

As a public organisation, MIC Toi Rerehiko supports the innovative work of the independent digital media and film community and presents it to audiences locally and internationally. Since 1993, MIC Toi Rerehiko has exhibited and distributed work to diverse audiences in many venues.

MIC Toi Rerehiko’s previous venues have included offices at Vulcan Lane, Film Facilities, Archill Gallery (pictured) and a project office at Artspace on K Rd.

In May 2005 MIC Toi Rerehiko purchased Galatos as a multipurpose screen and performance venue with significant support from ASB Community Trust. In July 2006 the office moved to 321 Karangahape Rd, and in March 2007 we open our new contemporary art gallery there with the inaugural show RESTLESS, curated by Lisa Reihana. Both venues allow MIC Toi Rerehiko to present innovative, genre-defying art with the best national and international digital media artists, filmmakers, VJs, DJs, musicians and sound artists.

MIC Toi Rerehiko is the only contemporary creative media and live performance centre in NZ. We help promote the interface between industry, education, and arts practice. Our programme includes film festivals and screenings, live performances, exhibitions, overseas visitors and a professional development series.