Depths of Sorrow: Vanish! Nocturne 2017
October 14th saw our collaborative team Motion Activated in a multimedia performance with my work as visual artist and animator, audio/visual composer Lukas Pearse, and dance artist Veronique MacKenzie, in the presentation of Depths of Sorrow- a large-scale projection event relating the haunting and tragic story of the maiden voyage of the Titanic.
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| The 5th floor Living Room of the Halifax Central Library provided the stage for Depths of Sorrow, with the sound score heard via speakers in the front courtyard.
This abstract narrative
retells a story of courage and the ensuing darkness that overtook the passengers
and crew on that fateful night. A fictional
passenger embarks on her journey across the ocean on a vessel deemed unsinkable.
Set amongst hand-drawn images and animations based on archival photographs of
the ship’s interior and exterior, the character’s video image moves and dances
as she experiences the initial hopes of her exciting journey through to her
final horrifying moments in the ice cold waters of the North Atlantic.
Live dance performance
captured by infrared camera infuse the imagery with ghostly figures through real-time
video processing. The immersive sound score includes nostalgic musical elements
of the era as well as a Morse Code Fugue while underwater imagery pulls us
down to the final resting place and into the Depths of Sorrow.
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| While waiting for night to fall, Véronique spoke with the gathering crowd about her exciting imminent departure on the Titanic |
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| In the projection space, preparations and rehearsal took place the night before. |
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| Rehearsal on October 13th, as viewed from the courtyard. |
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| Viewed from the interior three screens were placed on the north, east and west sides of the Living Room, with three projectors rear-screening the video, animations and live performance. |
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| During the performance, Véronique's live movement was added to the video projection through infrared capture. |
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| Véronique also added to the story by interrupting the projection creating a shadow image. |
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| Looking down from the projection area, the performance was reflected in the window glass. |
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| Depths of Sorrow as viewed from across the street on the corner of Spring Garden Road and Queen Street. |
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| Animation: the sinking of the Titanic |
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| Depths of Sorrow as viewed from the centre of the courtyard. |
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