The Future

John Akomfrah: Vertigo Sea 4D

Friday 15th January- Sunday 10th April

Vertigo Sea is a solo presentation of two new works by artist and filmmaker, John Akomfrah. His films address unviersal themes through a rich, muti-layered visual style that is both poetic and political. Placing film footage alongside still photography and new material, the artist investigates complex relationships between memory, identity, mortality and filmmaking.

On Level 1 there is a three screen film, Vertigo Sea, which invites us to reflect on humankinds relationship with the sea. The work shown is part fiction, part natural history documentary.

One the ground floor, Tropikos, is a costume drama set in the sixteenth century. Exploring the point in history when Britian's economic exploitation of Africa began, this work focuses on the waterways of the South West and their relationship to the slave trade, referencing larger themes of colonialism.Both of these films propose a 'voyage of discovery'. Placed in the context of Bristol, the films connect to the city's complicated maritime history.

I was lucky enough to be able to visit this exhibition in Bristol with college last week. My favourite part of the exhibition was the three screens. The quality of the footage was amazing and it had me gripped the whole way through. Even though there was no talking, I could understand what was going on and made me feel rather emotional. Before going into the exhibition, I never realised that a piece of film could make you feel such a way, without someone talking. From going to the exhibition it gave me inspiration and ideas as to create my own showreel. However instead of using film, my showreel will consist off still images, but I want to include sound, just like Vertigo Sea.