Laptop case

Background

The laptop case was made for the PacINET conference held in Kiribati 2005. PacINET also known as Pacific INET, is a regional conference that occurs annually aimed at sharing information between practitioners, developers and researchers interested in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the Pacific.

The conference was first held in Fiji in 2002 and continues to grow each year as the ICT industry becomes more accessible and influential in the lives of Pacific Islanders.

Significance

While laptops are a product that are imported into the Pacific, this case is made of local indigenous materials utilising indigenous hand weaving techniques of the Pacific.

 This hand woven laptop case is in some ways reflective of the goals of the PacINET conference; to share knowledge from a range of sources, including international expertise and local knowledge combined with peoples experiences with technology. ICT issues relating to system design, new technologies, and networks are shared through workshops, talks and open forums at the conference. ICT is widely recognised as a powerful tool for a nation's development and can significantly better the lives of individuals by providing access to information and communication with others.

Acquisition History

In 2011, this laptop case was offered to Te Papa by staff member Sarah Farrar (Curator Contemporary Art).