Seascape Projections runs 8:30pm-11:00pm daily at The Performance Arcade 2024.
Together VJ Cubeman and Rachie Campbell (aka VJ RASKAL) present Seascape Projections, a sound and light experience on the waterfront of Te Whanganui-a-Tara happening from 8:30-11pm daily during The Performance Arcade. This family-friendly display celebrates the stories and magical creatures that inhabit Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
In this Artist Spotlight, we highlight some of the Seascape Projection's immersive and colorful content from nights one and two of The Performance Arcade, Wednesday 21 February and Thursday 22 February 2024.
VJ Cubeman and Rachie Campbell's projections onto nature, architecture and water reflections around the Arcade site bring the ocean into dialogue with the built environment and forest. Their oceanic visuals are projected on boat sails, trees, and the outer wall of Te Papa Museum.
VJ Cubeman shares that the duo's original idea did not involve sails, but after saying to Artistic Director Sam Trubridge "I don't want to doing boring projections on to a walls like everyone else," Sam replied, "how about onto a boat, then?" At that point (local arts event guru) Drew James stepped in to say, "I will help make this happen," and moored his boat in the marina, so they could use it as a projection surface.
Projecting onto sails presents a set of unique challenges as this moving object is constantly shifting in response to the notorious winds of Te Whanganui-a-Tara. In response, Rachie Campbell modifiers the parameters of the projection in real time.
The imagery features a range of oceanic figures, from merpeople to scaly mythological Manaia; which have various interpretations from seahorses to half-man half-fish creatures.
The mermaid imagery used in the projections was developed from a live photoshoot.
The duo has welcomed into their collaboration Mahina-Ina Kingi-Kaui, a talented recording artist, composer, and accomplished player and practitioner of Ngā Taonga Pūoro. Kingi Kaui's unique soundscape draws people into the reflections with splashing water noises, dolphin hellos, and nguru, traditional nose flute.
Rachie Campbell (aka VJ RASKAL) and VJ Cubeman are both Poneke-based VJs, with a combined experience of 15 years. Beyond the Arcade, recent collaborations include Matariki Ahi Kā on the Pyramid, Civic Square and Taniwha’s Den.
Catch the unmissable Seascape Projections every night of the Arcade, from 8:30pm-11pm, on the waterfront of Te Whanganui-a-Tara.