Immersion: Parra River Patch (first play through)

Immersion: Parra River Patch (first playthrough) is the first in a series of video and sculptural works devoted to the Parramatta River. 

Stylised as a Twitch playthrough of a video game, Immersion sees Dhir’s avatar swimming in the contaminated river against a backdrop of construction sites and young families. The work reflects on the agency of rivers by trying to dissolve the self within histories and futures of riverways.

The work was made on the lands and waters of the Burramattagal people of Darug nation. Dhir pays respects to Darug elders past, present and into the future and gives thanks to his own ancestors.

Thanks to conversations with Akil Ahamat, Tante Sylvie, Dr Ian Wright, Carol Que, Ling and her tai chi class, the Next Wave 2020 artists (RIP), Emily Sweeney, Kerrie and Sri W. Dhir. 

GO TO > IMMERSION

For behind the scenes documentation including images, writing and audio tracks.

Open captioned version of the work will be screened at Sat May 30, 6pm on radioWAVE.
Assemble! Access Guide available to download here.

 

Kalanjay Dhir is an artist and musician based in Western Sydney. His work draws on popular culture, sci-fi and spiritual texts. Dhir is interested in exploring mythological and speculative technologies through sculpture, video and internet objects. He enjoys thinking about what the world could look like if it were built with devotion.

Dhir is a founding member of Pari, an independent artist-run space in Parramatta. Alongside DJ Atro, he hosts FBi Radio’s Wednesday Sunset show and throws some parties. In his spare time he likes to drink Milo, read Wikipedia and manga.

Composed & Performed by Kalanjay Dhir, mentored by Dara Gill, videography by Murli Dhir and Rob Milazzo, drone by Nicholas Pavlakis, Logo & UX Elements by Alex Tanazefti , 3D elements by Patrick Mikha, 3D/AR consultation by Alexandra Chalmers-Braithwaite,  Sound design & score by DJ Atro.

Tracks are ‘Yama’, ‘Walk Riddim’, & ‘Kal’s Kalimba’

Immersion is supported by City of Parramatta Council, Parramatta Artist Studios and CreateNSW.