Troubled Waters

'Troubled Waters' is a suite of interdisciplinary exhibitions and projects that consider the impact of human activity and climate change on natural and marine environments.

The program features the Australian premiere of British filmmaker John Akomfrah’s critically acclaimed Vertigo Sea, a large-scale video installation and poetic meditation on humanity's relationship with the sea, explored through the lens of slavery, whaling, refugee and environmental crises.

Georgia Wallace-Crabbe also presents the immersive five-channel film installation The Earth and the Elements, which explores ecological issues arising from the extraction and flow of mineral resources from Australia to China.

'River Journey' is a major new collaborative project between UNSW Science and UNSW Art & Design exploring the complexities of river ecosystems through sound, installation, photomedia and scientific method. This important collaboration between art and science addresses the impact of human activity on Australia’s aquatic environments from the perspectives of exhibiting artists Andrew Belletty, Nici Cumpston, Tamara Dean, Bonita Ely, and Janet Laurence, as well as a team of scientific researchers from UNSW’s Centre for Ecosystem Science led by Professor Richard Kingsford.

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Presented in association with National Science Week.

John Akomfrah: Vertigo Sea
19 August – 5 November 2016 | Courtyard Gallery
Vertigo Sea is presented in partnership with the Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCA), Christchurch, New Zealand

Georgia Wallace-Crabbe: The Earth and the Elements
19 August – 5 November 2016 | Oxford Gallery

River Journey
19 August – 5 November 2016 | Oxford Gallery

Public Program

Panel Discussion: River Journey
10–11am Thursday 18 August 2016, UNSW Galleries

Scientists Prof. Richard Kingsford, Dr Kate Brandis and Claire Sives discuss some of the major ecological issues raised in the exhibition with artists Andrew Belletty and Bonita Ely, followed by an exhibition viewing.

Lecture: Professor Richard Kingsford
5–6pm Thursday 18 August 2016, EG02 Lecture Theatre, UNSW Art & Design

Prof. Richard Kingsford talks about the grand challenge of managing our water and the impacts of our needs on the spectacular rivers and wetlands of the Murray-Darling Basin. He also shows the incredible floods that bring life to our inland rivers on the way to Lake Eyre. Australia is now also committed to developing Northern Australia - but at what cost?  In this presentation, Prof. Kingsford argues we must learn lessons from our history of mistakes.

River Journey: Guided Tours
11.30am and 2.30pm Saturday 20 August 2016, UNSW Galleries

Become acquainted with the specially commissioned artworks in this collaborative project, 'River Journey', and the scientific underpinnings of the background research. 'River Journey' guided tours will be hosted by Dr Felicity Fenner, Director, UNSW Galleries. The morning tour has Fenner speaking with Australian filmmaker, Dr Georgia Wallace-Crabbe, and Indigenous artist, Nici Cumpston. The afternoon tour has Fenner in discussion with cinematic sound artist, Andrew Belletty.