Alluvium
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Research Statement
Research Background
In the film The Alluvium, Coates brings a visceral drama to the biology of the Derbarl Yerrigan. The film alludes to the complex hydrodynamics, biology and chemistry of the river and the ways these have been changed in the 200 years since the establishment of the Swan River Colony. Composer James and percussionist Devenish created a musical score for the film. Whilst the development of the work explored multi-disciplinary collaboration (Hayden & Windsor, 2007), the creative work had to be conceived completely in an online environment during lockdown between Melbourne and Perth. The project necessitated the exploration of how online collaboration can best facilitate knowledge exchange and critical dialogue despite compromised audiovisual feedback, and limited access to equipment and instruments.
Research Contribution
The innovation largely resulted from James' exploration of Coates' visual sculptures as musical instruments in Perth, sampling and exploring within the Digital Audio Workstation. James wrote a score for Devenish to perform using other extraneous percussion she had access to during lockdown. As a collaborative team, negotiating how the customised instruments in Perth would integrate with the limited percussion accessible in Melbourne lockdown imposed constraints and uncertainty. Consequently, the team were required to renegotiate the creative development of the work. The project did facilitate inter-disciplinary knowledge exchange through the use of instant messaging, mind-mapping tools, and video teleconferencing tools that were at times expanded with higher quality audio equipment.
Research Significance
The work was reviewed in Seesaw Magazine: "The Alluvium’s score...is a triumph, conjuring both wonder and awe, mystery and dread." The work was exhibited at Heathcote Goolagatup Gallery over 2 months following Coates’ Tilt residency in the space. The work has been included in the 23rd Sydney Biennale 2022.
Description
Alluvium is a part of the Alluvial Gold project, spanning drawing, sculpture, video and performance, which has been commissioned by Goolugatup Heathcote for their Tilt residency and exhibition program.
For this major new body of work, Coates delves into the often-forgotten world below the river surface to explore the changing ecology of the Derbarl Yerrigan / Swan River. Informed by marine biology, historical research and her experiences free-diving in the river, Coates looks at the transference of matter into and out the river.
In the film Alluvium, Coates brings a visceral drama to the biology of the Derbarl Yerrigan, a salt wedge estuary flowing through Boorloo / Perth. The film alludes to the complex hydrodynamics, biology and chemistry of the river and the ways these have been changed in the 200 years since the establishment of the Swan River Colony. Nutrient loading caused by runoff from residential fertilisers and upstream agriculture increase the phosphorus and nitrogen in the water, thus promoting algal blooms and low oxygen conditions. The shellfish reefs were dredged from the river and invasive species like the white colonial sea squirt (Didemnum perlucidum) and mermaid’s hair (Lyngbya) compete with native sea grasses. In recent years there have been unusual mortality events among the resident dolphin population. The dolphins that have died all showed signs of tattoo skin disease (Cetacean Morbillivirus), a virus that causes circular skin lesions. Alluvium provides a dark speculation on the transformation of river ecosystems while highlighting the fecundity and resilience of life forms within this urban waterway.
Percussionist Louise Devenish and composer Stuart James have created a musical score for this film, by exploring the instrumental potential of Coates’ oyster shell and metallic sculptures.
Keywords
music, composition, art, environment, residency, Goolugatup, Heathcote, Perth Festival, Tura New Music
Non-Traditional Research Output
Recorded or Rendered Creative Work
Output Type
Non-Traditional Research Output
School
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)
RAS ID
35958
Event Title
Alluvial Gold
Event Dates
November 13, 2020 - February 14, 2021
Event Venue
Goolagatup Heathcote Gallery, Perth, Western Australia
Performers
A film by Erin Coates Composed by Stuart James Percussion performed by Louise Devenish
Duration
9:08
Comments
Coates, E., James, S., & Deveish, L. (2020). Alluvium [video]. http://www.erincoates.net/alluvium