Classification Pending is a permanent public artwork in the Bremer River, Ipswich Parklands, Queensland with modified versions also appearing temporarily in the canvases of the Ooka River (Yokahama) and The Thames (London).
“Classification Pending” Craig Walsh (launched 2006), Bremer River, Ipswich Parklands, Ipswich, Queensland, 4 channel synchronized data projection. Credits: Marc Grimwade.
In this work, artificial life forms appear to exist in the river as permanent residents through a four-channel video projection onto the water. Visible after dark, the narrative evolves over twelve months in four-monthly cycles—the organism commencing as a single entity and eventually finding a mate and breeding.
The 3D animated organism is based on a hybrid of the extinct Woolungasaurus, the common Eel, the Fork-tailed Catfish, the Brisbane Short-Necked Turtle and the Mullet. The artwork is also accompanied by text projected onto a nearby bridge abutment which presents transcipts of ‘sightings’ in waterways globally.
“Classification Pending” Craig Walsh (launched 2006), Bremer River, Ipswich Parklands, Ipswich, Queensland, 4 channel synchronized data projection. Credits: Marc Grimwade.
This work provides the subject and catalyst to evoke a local ‘sightings’ and explores the possibility to engage local residents in developing and promoting a local mythology specific to this appearance of an unknown species. This installation presents new possibilities of how permanent evolving public artworks can integrate into specific environments and provide long-term engagement. The work also raises issues relating to how we interact with nature and the ability to simulate these types of ‘experiences’ through technology.
Endnote: 3 D animation/post production: Steven Thomasson. Text content: Sebastian Moody.
Craig Walsh
Craig Walsh is a media artist primarily interested in hybrid/site-specific projects and the exploration of alternative contexts for contemporary art. His work spans a range of art forms and has been selected for major survey exhibitions, commissions and residencies both nationally and internationally including: Drift 08 (the Thames, London), HEADS UP, Museum of Contemporary Art (Sydney), SJ01 Biennale, (San Jose, California), Yokohama Triennial (Yokohama), Experimenta Under the Radar (Liverpool), Media City Seoul (Korea), the Anne Landa Award AGNSW (Sydney), The Adelaide Biennale of Australian Art, AGSA (Adelaide), Fuji Rock (Japan) and Nuit Blanche (Toronto).
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Classification Pending from Craig Walsh on Vimeo.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Australia.