REIMAGINING POSSIBILITIES
VIGIL FOR THE SMOOTH HANDFISH
WHAT IF IT WERE CUSTOMARY TO COME TOGETHER TO BEAR WITNESS & PAY TRIBUTE TO WHAT WE HAVE LOST, ARE LOSING & MAY ACT TO SAVE?
ACE SALAMA ‘An Urn for the Smooth Handfish’ (2020) 3D rendering of an urn in candlelight
These are times of profound crises and losses. Scientists estimate that 150-200 species of plant, insect, bird and mammal become extinct every 24 hours. Biologists say that this is greater than anything the world has experienced since the vanishing of the dinosaurs nearly 65 million years ago.
What role does grief have to play here?
How important is it for humankind to be affected by the losses of plants? Of animals? Of humans? Does the act of grieving for what is lost, enable us to examine our current behaviours and change? Is the act of understanding the value of what we have lost - the only true agent serving as a buffer separating us from the belief that existence is meaningless?
Is grief universal? And can it ever be egalitarian? Is it accessible to people living in environments of war - where every moment is dotted in potential tragedy?
Outside of humankind, does grief exist? Is it as accessible to other organisms?
What relationship exists between time, distance and grief?
We live in a reality with a prevailing system that perceives time as a resource, as a tool of capitalism. In realities where different constructs are in place, what forms might grief take?
The Parallel Effect acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and emerging Traditional Custodians and Elders of all nations and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of all First Nations peoples.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this event contains the names and footage of people now passed and resting in the Dreaming.
Artistic Director:
Daz Chandler
Motion Graphics:
Christian Heinrich
Music & Sound Design:
Edwin Montgomery
Researcher:
Eloise Chandler
Associate Producer:
Emily Sweeney
Key Artwork:
Ahmed Salama
Social Media:
Kurt Eckhardt
Illustrator / Animator:
Can Yalçinkaya
Streaming Coordinator:
Bart Mangan
Video:
Daz Chandler, Nick Hogan,
Jason Azcona, Edwin Montgomery
Tributes from:
Vandana Shiva, Camille Barton, Jane Hirshfield, Bruce Pascoe, Dorion Sagan, Vivien Sansour, Duncan Graham, Kabir Mokamel, Zoë Keating, AM Kanngieser, Barbara J. King, Lux Eterna, mai c doan, Benjamin Gilmour, The Orbweavers, Eliki Reade, Marwan Alkarjousil, Tarwa N-Tiniri, Jemina Stuart-Smith, Safdar Ahmed, Warren Armstrong & CSIRO, Kat Clarke, Chris Bonney, Catriona McLean, Ivana Dash, Edwin Sheather, Jennifer Mae Hamilton, Georgina Woods, Ben Rivers, Paula Keogh, Catriona Mclean, Vadim Keyser