Artesia

BACKGROUND: The photographic work was created as part of a curated exhibition that explored the emergent orders in complex natural phenomena by artists and designers who use their specific practices to reveal and respond to these forces. This multi-part photographic work documents a speculative reinhabitation and transformation of a large 500+ hectare area of riverside land in Christchurch, New Zealand that suffered extensive damage in the 2010-2011 earthquakes, and from which approximaetly 8000 residential homes were subsequently removed. It uses bespoke mirrors and photography to create hybrid images of altered landscapes that reintroduce built and natural features that were obliterated by the earthquakes and their effects. CONTRIBUTION: This visual work makes a contribution in two main levels. It uses innovative visual and spatial techniques to generate speculative images of transformed riverine landscapes that incorporate reconstituted topography, water, vegetative and built elements. The use of bespoke mirrors enables the reintroduction, superimposition and transformation of elements that had been removed from these landscapes by the effects of the earthquakes. It also contributes to the body of work exemplified by the curatorial theme of the exhibition, which is the engagement with complex and elusive natural phenomena and their emergent orders. SIGNIFICANCE: UNSW Galleries presents a program of internationally significant artists and curatorial art practices, overseen by an advisory board. UNSW Galleries is a member of University Art Museums Australia (UAMA). The curated exhibition Make Known included nationally and internationally recognised artists and designers from across the world. This photographic work is an extension and development of creative work initially developed for and selected as the New Zealand contribution to the Space section of the 2015 Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space.