VCA ART 2021

Emily Simek

Master of Contemporary Art

Composting (full title truncated) is a body of work co-created with a worm-farm compost system. In this practice, digital technologies intra-act within nutrient cycles at the site of the compost heap. Worms ingest organic waste to form piles of soft humus. A contact microphone transcribes the workings of the worms into a textural soundscape. Microscopic footage of compost materials trace decomposition through the slippage of pixels in a video projection. The skins of vegetables are reconstituted as digital renders that blossom into fragrant soft sculptures. These are all processes in the cross-pollination of matter in a techno-compost system. Together they explore the potentialities of closed-loop systems in permaculture design for art-making practices.

Emily Simek, Composting... (full title truncated), Televisions with video art work, sound, digital prints on cotton fabric, sugar cane mulch, 2021.
Emily Simek, Composting... (full title truncated), Televisions with video art work, sound, digital prints on cotton fabric, sugar cane mulch, 2021.
Emily Simek, A Bed of Sweet Mulch, Digital print on cotton fabric, cotton thread, sugar cane mulch, 2021.
Emily Simek, Compost at Siteworks, Brunswick, 35mm colour photograph, 2021.
Emily Simek, Closed Loop, Video projection and television screen, 2021.
Emily Simek, Closed Loop, Video still, 2021.
Emily Simek, Seed and Skin, Pumpkin seeds, cotton thread, digital print on cotton fabric, sugar cane mulch, 2021.
Emily Simek, Nutrient Cycling, Video still, 2021.

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campus is situated, the Boonwurrung and Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nations, who have created art, made music and told their stories here for thousands of generations. We also acknowledge and extend our respect to the Traditional Owners of all lands on which our work is viewed, shared and enjoyed, and to all Elders, past, present and emerging.

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