Inspired by the wild spaces that exist within and around us, PluginHUMAN, Yorta Yorta artist Lorraine Brigdale and Akshat Nauriyal present UNEARTHED: a projection mapped mural and microverse, presented as part of the 2022 Shepparton Festival from 18 March.
UNEARTHED engages both physical and digital landscapes. The artwork features a mural with contemporary re-workings of Yorta Yorta shields by Lorraine Brigdale and enlarged micrographs by Betty Sargeant from PluginHUMAN.
The mural, which will be a permanent feature, includes an icon that connects audiences with a microverse. When audiences hold their phones to the icon, they access an explorable digital landscape created by Akshat Nauriyal. This microverse is a parallel universe that exists alongside our non-digital reality.
The mural and microverse can be viewed 24 hours a day. During the festival opening weekend (18 – 20 March), the mural will be transformed after dark into a projection mapped light experience created by Justin Dwyer.
The opening on Friday 18 March will begin with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at 8.00pm followed by the launch of the projections at 8:30pm.
“In this project is an opportunity to unite a First Nation woman’s contemporary view of traditional Aboriginal war shields together with contemporary ideas in scientific imagery, illumination and video art,” says Lorraine Brigdale.
“The collaboration prioritises Aboriginal art as an integral part of the visual imagery, encouraging a conversation around cultural awareness which is always this artist’s intention,” said Brigdale.
“We use the name ‘microverse’ as a way to describe a small independent digital landscape. People don’t need to download an app or log in. We’ve worked hard to keep this experience independent and to ensure ease of access,” adds Betty Sargeant
“The UNEARTHED microverse reflects a kind of alternate universe. One that coexists side-by-side with our non-digital reality. People can experience it by scanning a code that’s embedded in visuals of the UNEARTHED mural,” says Sargeant.
The circular patterns in the mural have been made from micrographs and mathematical noise. Sargeant photographed the microscopic detail of wasp wings and Dwyer applied mathematical noise to the images. This created circular motifs that fuse scientific imagery with computer generative processes.
“UNEARTHED speaks to hidden things that have been revealed through collaboration. Collaboration takes time, time for the tendrils of thought and action to meet and join in a cohesive way. I see the mural as a prepared canvas,” says Justin Dwyer.
“My projection mapping brings this mural to life in new ways. The projections mainly feature imagery that I’ve created using generative computer processes.”
UNEARTHED: A projection-mapped mural and microverse can be viewed at Shepparton’s GoTAFE from 18 March 2022. For more information, visit: www.pluginhuman.com The 2022 Shepparton Festival runs 18 March – 3 April. For more information, visit: www.sheppartonfestival.org.au for details.
Image: UNEARTHED: A projection-mapped mural and microverse – photo by Handcrafted Pictures