ORCA: Oceans Research & Climate Action Network (RMIT University)

FRIday 19 MAy 2023
12.30–2.30pm

Platform Arts
60 Little Malop Street, Geelong

Platform Arts hosts ORCA: Oceans Research & Climate Action Network (RMIT University)
Presented by ORCA: Oceans Research & Climate Action Network RMIT University
Platform Arts is partnering with the ORCA research initiative at RMIT University and Port Phillip Ferries to host Ocean Undercurrents: human-water entanglements in Naarm.

The social symposium provides participants with the opportunity to think with the ocean as this project takes us onto and into the water, collecting stories, samples, sounds and songs from the Bay. These include First Nations stories, colonial legacies, ghost rivers, ecological insights, transport lines and maps, underwater recordings, poetic reflections, and various artworks and installations.

PARTICIPANTS
ORCA: Oceans Research & Climate Action Network RMIT University
Interdisciplinary team of creatives reaching across art, design, architecture, media, communications and urban research interested in oceans and climate action hosted by RMIT University’s School of Art Research Group CAST.

Team members include:  Jodi Edwards, Alexandre Faustino, Nicolas Guerra Rodrigues Tao, Fiona Hillary, Ana Lara Heyns, Rachel Iampolski, Jordan Lacey, Rebecca Olive, Aviva Reed, David RousWendy Steele & Kit Wise with Killian Quigley.

Port Phillip Ferries
Port Phillip Ferries is not just a passenger ferry service. The ferry connects people and experiences, and is on a mission to transform daily travel between Melbourne and the Geelong and Bellarine regions, one cruise at a time. The ferry service is enjoyed by daily commuters and leisure travellers who wish to access the coast or the city with ease.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Port Phillip Bay. There is no better way to travel, guaranteed!

Friday 19 May
12:00–2:30pm
Booking required (Melbourne Design Week)

Ocean Undercurrents: Human-Water Entanglements In Naarm
Presented by ORCA: Oceans Research & Climate Action Network RMIT University
In the lead-up to Melbourne Design Week, the team at ORCA: Oceans Research & Climate Action Network RMIT University is conducting a series of journeys from Docklands to Geelong, Docklands to Portarlington, and return via ferry. The team will engage in fieldwork, including capturing sound, imagery (both still and moving), water samples, and stories from travelers about their connection to the ocean. The material collected will be compiled and presented during Melbourne Design Week as a performative relational presentation during a ferry crossing and a social symposium that invites audiences to consider the ocean.

Most views of Port Phillip Bay are from the shore, but this project takes the team onto and into the water, collecting stories, samples, sounds, and songs from the Bay. These include First Nations stories, colonial legacies, ghost rivers, ecological insights, transport lines and maps, underwater recordings, poetic reflections, and various artworks and installations.

Starting from the land, commuters and other visitors can float the 1.5-hour water crossing and join the team in growing their relationship with the bay and the complex role it plays in the life of Naarm. Joining the team and their partners, Port Phillip Ferries, in a ferry crossing (Docklands-Geelong) is followed by a social symposium and sound walk at Platform ARTS, Geelong. If joining from Melbourne, it is necessary to book a return ticket with Port Phillip Ferries.

PARTICIPANTS
ORCA: Oceans Research & Climate Action Network RMIT University
ORCA: Oceans Research & Climate Action Network at RMIT University are an interdisciplinary team of creatives reaching across art, design, architecture, media, communications and urban research interested in oceans and climate action hosted by RMIT University’s School of Art Research Group CAST.

Team members: Jodi Edwards, Alexandre Faustino, Nicolas Guerra Rodrigues Tao, Fiona Hillary, Ana Lara Heyns, Rachel Iampolski, Jordan Lacey, Rebecca Olive, Aviva Reed, David RousWendy Steele & Kit Wise with Killian Quigley.

Port Phillip Ferries
Port Phillip Ferries is not just a passenger ferry service but a link connecting people and experiences. Their mission is to transform daily travel between Melbourne and the Geelong and Bellarine regions, one cruise at a time.

Platform ARTS
Platform Arts, based on Wadawurrung Country in Djilang/Geelong, works with artists and creative practitioners across all disciplines to develop and sustain rigorous and critical artistic practice, and to test and present new experimental and contemporary works to regional and national audiences.

Platform Arts lead this through a program of events, exhibitions and performances, while providing a support framework including mentorship, collaboration, residency programs and workshops.

Friday 19 May
9:30am–11:40am
12:00pm–2:30pm
Booking required (Melbourne Design Week)

Image: ORCA: Oceans Research & Climate Action Network