Auckland Festival of Photography in association with Auckland Libraries is proud to present an exclusive screening series of The Water Chapters by Gideon Mendel (UK). Part of the Disruption [raruraru] theme.
The Water Chapters - There is nothing new about flooding. The image of a flood is an ancient metaphor, found within the myths and legends of cultures around the world. It can represent an overwhelming, destructive force that renders humanity powerless in its wake and leaves us seeking refuge. As global warming drives and increasing number of extreme weather events, flooding is increasing too, this message continues to resonate.
The Water Chapters video installation explores individual, family, and community responses to inundation, each chapter, dedicated to one country's floods. The nine chapters cover Thailand (2011), Nigeria (2012), German (2013), The Phillipines (2013), UK (2014), India (2014), Brazil (2015), USA (2015) and France (2016).
The footage shows how in these landscapes life is suddenly turned upside down with the floodwaters revealing much about the societies they impact. The editing formally contributes to the non-documentary style of the videos, focusing on the filmic and photographic qualities of each shot.
Looped, single channel, sound and movement, duration 43'00".
Extra dates announced 23 May to 14 June, same timings.
