The Mangroves from the Water (FTW) 360 degree film (2024)
52-second clip from a 10-minute immersive film experience
Mangroves from the Water: 360-degree Film, Nyaal Cinema, Deakin Waurn Ponds Campus.
(19–20 September 2024)
This short video showcases my art practice in the mangroves – actually, a journey to the self. The French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty eloquently developed a practice called phenomenology, which closely resembles my bodily approach to painting in the mangroves. Phenomenology prioritises describing lived experience with precision as it presents itself; the “inside and outside are inseparable” (Merleau-Ponty 2005, p. 474) – exactly as I have narrated this short film. I’m going to show you the visible and tell you about the invisible.
Mangrove forests have a unique ecosystem and are regarded as ‘carbon sinks’. They play a crucial role in mitigating global climate change. Yet, these forests have diminished greatly, not only in Australia but also globally. We need these forests to thrive so we can continue to live on our planet.
A spirit of returning to Nature, particularly when entering the hidden reaches of mangrove forests, underlies the dialogue of this film. The winding canals of the mangroves offer so much excitement. As we protect these mysterious forms of life, we learn about these places and ourselves. I hope my story will encourage regular visits to these forests, creating a bond and enhancing care for them.
Mangroves from the Water Exhibition
Mangroves from the Water – part of PhD research exhibition (11–20 September 2024)