This film was shot in the Black Forest in 2011 during a residency with the Christoph Merian Stiftung in Basel, Switzerland. The lake in the image is on the top of an extinct volcanic for called Mummelsee (Mother Lake). There are many myths associated with this lake in German folklore, most notably about a siren who lures men into the forest and kills them. 'Paradise Falls I' considers how history can leave a residue in the landscape and the past often comes back to haunt us.
The second film (Paradise Falls II) that accompanies this work, was shot in early 2012 off the coast of Wadjemup/Rottnest Island in Western Australia. This film employs a similar technique whereby an Aboriginal man (Aaron Wyatt) rows towards the island appearing and disappearing. The island was the site of an Aboriginal prison, that is barely acknowledged. The film portrays a man rowing back to his captors, highlighting that history can not always be forgotten.
The sound for both films was developed by Cat Hope. The sound is an important aspect as it provides an un-nerving contrast to the poetic images of the film, highlighting the persistent disquiet of history.
The films are HD digital and were shown on large screens with headphones at Venn Gallery in 2012. In optimum viewing conditions, the films would be projected in a dark room with surround sound.
The films are editioned to 3 and the first edition is in the Collection of the University of Western Australia.
Paradise Falls 1
Sound: composed by Dr Cat Hope, performed by Decibel,
recorded by Stuart James at Soundfield Studio
Camera: Luc Renaud
Woman on lake: Eveline Bouvla
Editing: Sohan Ariel Hayes
Paradise Falls II
Sound: composed by Dr Cat Hope, The Abe Sada Project, recorded by Andrew Ewing
Camera: Sohan Ariel Hayes
Man in boat:Aaron Wyatt
Editing: Sohan Ariel Hayes
