Plant Notes 1.0

Laura Wills
Louise Flaherty
Belinda Gehlert
Naomi Keyte

We wanted to create an experience for people to have their own journey to explore the natural world that is sometimes close to them but they might have never experienced. Our Adelaide based team spent four days together in August at Waterside at Vitalstatix in Port Adelaide.

We researched, we explored, we listened…..

We made music, we drew, we wrote

We talked, we shared ideas, we developed plans, 

Our research focus was the Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina) which inhabits the Yerta Bulti/Port Adelaide region. We visited local mangrove habitats, some thriving, some holding on, some forging. We meet with marine biologist: Dr Sabine Dittman who is an expert on coastal ecosystem ecology, and local volunteers from the Estuary Care Foundation to hear about their work with Mangroves in the Port Adelaide area. We also met with Aunty Margaret Brodie, Kaura women from Port Adelaide. She talked about her family's close connection to the Port River and history of the Lartelare Park.  

The work we have made is a participatory tour of a mangrove tale. Through drawing and sound, animation and music we begin to get closer to the mangrove, Marina. We acknowledge Marina by learning about their strength in coastal erosion, relationships to the tide, and connections to the animals that shelter in their roots. When you view it try to think about symbiotic relationships, tides and trees that live in salt water and anaerobic soils. We are highlighting the strength and beauty of this powerful and sometimes forgotten tree. When you look at our digital outcome, imagine that going to be all put together for an experiential tour, with people and real mangroves. 

We, Laura and Louise, are Adelaide-based Visual Artists working collaboratively. We both have a drawing and installation background with a strong emphasis on creating site responsive and participatory works.  Our practices reflect and generate curiosity on the natural environment. For this project we shifted our approach to realise an audible experience of the work through the guidance of local musicians Belinda Gehlert and Naomi Keyte. 

Belinda is a first violinist with the award-winning Zephyr Quartet, and a prolific composer for ensembles and theatre productions. Naomi is a singer, songwriter and musician who makes an interesting blend of folk and alt-pop music that is distinct both sonically and lyrically. We are working together to deliver a unique participatory sound experience.