land radius|2 2021

A trail camera was placed, as a proxy human sentinel, amongst the mangrove trees that grow along the edge of the Hauraki Gulf, aka Tīkapa Moana (the Mournful Sea). The video presents a record of the unceasing tide, natural phenomena (moonlight, gravitational forces, atmospheric conditions, sunlight) and some of the creatures who dwell there. A blue plastic tube shaped into a circle interrupts the ebb and flow to emphasise the multiple and often clashing claims made upon this environment by humans. The recording relies on a combination of favourable atmospheric conditions (wind causing movement and a change in temperature) to activate the motion sensor and trigger the trail camera into action. As the artist, this incapacity to influence when and for how long the camera makes a recording runs counter to usual videography methods. Yet, in the context of climate change, this methodology epitomises the powerlessness that society is experiencing as we come to address our impact on the biosphere. As several witnesses acknowledge in their testimonies, 'we can no longer influence what is unfolding but must find new ways to live with the consequences'.

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​This work was devised in response to a call for artworks on sea level rise by Climanosco, a Swiss art and climate science association, to show how closely human society is connected to the sea and how climate change is already affecting it. To begin the process, I initiated discussions with local organisations to seek guidance and support around engaging a broad group of people in conversation about the impact of sea level rise. It was important to show from the outset that I was looking for contributors rather than interviewees, and to make clear that I did not have an agenda or envisioned outcome, only that I wished to produce an unfolding picture of what climate change induced sea level rise meant to people. With their support I developed links with community-based individuals and professionals including marine/climate scientists. However, due to the ongoing Covid 19 situation and lockdown in the city of Auckland, I was unable to meet people in person and resorted to holding online or mobile phone-based conversations. Whilst the audio recordings I made were compromised in terms of quality, this also lent a sense of immediacy and authenticity that contributed to the inimitability of the testimonies.

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The details of the speakers you hear are as follows (in order of appearance):

 

01 Craig Turvey is a sea swimmer. He describes his experiences of swimming amongst the mangrove forests of the Hauraki Gulf’s shoreline.

 

02 Alex Rogers is the Executive Officer of the Hauraki Gulf Forum. He shares his knowledge around the politics of protecting and restoring the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

 

03 Stephen Perry is a fine art photographer based in Devonport, Auckland who has a passion for documenting coastal concrete structures along his local beach.

 

04 Dr Michael Allis is a coastal engineer who discusses adaptation responses in communication with communities affected by sea-level rise.

 

05 Sharley Haddon (Ngāti Wai) is a horse woman and Pakiri Beach resident who attests to the impact of sand extraction on the biodiversity of her local beach.

 

06 Dr Paula Blackett is an environmental social scientist with who talks about decision-making on sea-level rise using Serious Games to activate timely adaptation measures with communities.

 

07 Bianca Ranson (Ngāti Kahu ki Whaingaroa, Ngāpuhi) is a founding member of Mauri o te Moana, an organisation established as a collective Māori voice calling for urgent action for the protection of the moana (ocean). She presents a comprehensive Māori overview of the challenges faced by many communities affected by sea-level rise along the Pacific rim.