Intertidal Aquarium
In Intertidal Aquarium I used an aquarium to represent human relationships with nature through methods of containing, viewing, domesticating, modifying and recreating natural environments.
A mix of small porcelain natural forms and human artifacts were placed inside the aquarium with a small amount of water. The aquarium was animated by a mechanized seesaw action, creating a wave action inside with unpredictable consequences, as objects chipped, some sticking, some rolling, while the sound of the movement evoked waves on the shore acting on shells and sand.
A mix of small porcelain natural forms and human artifacts were placed inside the aquarium with a small amount of water. The aquarium was animated by a mechanized seesaw action, creating a wave action inside with unpredictable consequences, as objects chipped, some sticking, some rolling, while the sound of the movement evoked waves on the shore acting on shells and sand.
The random splashing of water without temperature control, PH balance monitoring or a filtration system denied other methods of control — an imitation of physical forces as unpredictable and unstoppable.
The containment of the physical force (wave action) inside the aquarium was unconventional for a domestic aquarium and implied human control over nature and the Western binary of ‘inside/outside’.
Unexpectedly, during the Intertidal exhibition at Bondi Pavillion March 2018, children were mesmerised by the movement of the ceramic flotsam in the aquarium and positioned themselves under it to access another view.
The containment of the physical force (wave action) inside the aquarium was unconventional for a domestic aquarium and implied human control over nature and the Western binary of ‘inside/outside’.
Unexpectedly, during the Intertidal exhibition at Bondi Pavillion March 2018, children were mesmerised by the movement of the ceramic flotsam in the aquarium and positioned themselves under it to access another view.
Intertidal Aquarium in it's first iteration at Bondi Pavillion 2018
Intertidal Aquarium 2020
Porcelain objects, acrylic box, steel frame and pivots.
1200 x 500 x 500mm. SOLD.
Porcelain objects, acrylic box, steel frame and pivots.
1200 x 500 x 500mm. SOLD.