The title Bearing is poignant as both maritime terminology and also that of emotional baggage or endurance. These works formally analyse the movement of persons and cargo in Port Phillip (Zugaro) and Japan’s Inland Sea (Walker). They also incorporate the aesthetics of sea-going vessels and associated infrastructure (eg. Bridges and ports).
The thematic approach utilised in these works is varied; Zugaro’s The Pier explores fear and the emotive nature of his sublime crafting of the moving image, Walker pursuing his approach to tensions in East Asia by appropriating a text on political legitimacy to his video Affirm. The former uses cinematic stylisation whilst the latter incorporates text alongside the footage of a (purportedly) Japanese naval vessel.
What the works aim to provide the audience (or viewer) is an immersive environment that provides for reflection upon historical human relationships to the maritime environment. The works also offer an alternating context; in that the soundtrack for each video changes between the works (both are the same length). This offers the viewer the chance to view the works both in unison and independently, but doesn’t necessarily place them in harmony with their ‘natural’ soundtrack.
Exhibition details :
Opening Wednesday AUG 31 6-9pm
(Continues to SEP 17)
