Whakatāne Museum’s Volcanic Artist Residency has begun hosting creative people from all over the country. The latest guest at the historic Harbour Master House is Paul Brobbel, senior curator at Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and the Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth.
While here, in partnership with Whakamax Cinemas, Mr Brobbel will present a selection of film highlights from the Govett-Brewster's Projection Series #11: An Oceanic Feeling, curated by Erika Balsom. Members of the public are invited to a special Whakatāne screening at 6pm on Thursday, 16 August.
Whakatāne Museum’s Facility Transition Assistant, Jordan Davey-Emms, says the films offer an exploration of our relationship with the oceans, human presence across the seas, effects of climate change, and dystopian technological connections. Ms Davey-Emms, who is helping coordinate the programme says: “This is a unique opportunity to view some very interesting films from around the world.
The screening will begin with G. Anthony Svatek's 23-minute film .TV that looks at climate change in the small Pacific nation of Tuvalu. “It’s a short but powerful dystopian fable and a reaction to technology and our warming planet,” says Ms Davey-Emms.
The second film featured on the programme is Sunstone, a 2017 video work by Filipa César and Louis Henderson, which centres around a lighthouse keeper at Cabo da Roca in Portugal. “In this fascinating film, César and Henderson layer computer renderings over old 16mm film, reflecting on the role of representation, identity, and the human need to make a mark,” says Ms Davey-Emms. 
Project Manager and Exhibitions Co-ordinator Museum and Arts, Victoria Sinclair, says Paul’s residency is essentially “paying it forward”. London-based film studies curator and King’s College lecturer, Erika Balsom, was hosted in New Plymouth as Creative New Zealand Film Curator in Residence in 2017. While there, she conducted research at the Len Lye Centre and presented her work for New Zealand audiences. That experience inspired a film programme and accompanying book, An Oceanic Feeling.
“We’re thrilled that Paul is able to bring some of Erika’s work to our community as part of his Volcanic Artist Residency this month,” says Ms Sinclair. “These films ask us to look at the oceans as connected to humanity, and from the depths they leave us with questions of politics, ethics and environment."
The screening on Thursday, 16 August is made possible by the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Whakatāne Museum and the Volcanic Artist Residency, Antipodes Water Company, and Whakamax Cinema. Tickets can be purchased from Whakamax for $5. For additional information, visit whakatanemuseum.org.nz or contact Whakatāne Museum on 07 306 0505