Media Release
February 20 2008
Water pictures worth a thousand words
An
exhibition of striking photographs taken by a group of Limestone Coast
residents on the theme of water opens tomorrow as part of Adelaide
Fringe 2008.
Picturing Water Use and Justice is an example of the innovative research technique PhotoVoice, in which participants are given a disposable camera and a diary to craft a “photo essay”.
Hosted by Artlab Australia, the exhibition is a key part of UniSA’s Centre for Comparative Water Policies and Laws (CCWPL) research for the Cooperative Research Centre for Irrigation Futures.
CCWPL Director Professor Jennifer McKay said the aim of the research project is to learn about the perceptions and attitudes among large volume water users on current water policy, usage and regulations.
“The PhotoVoice exercise complements our other, more traditional research methods by giving us insights into how the irrigators view water,” she said.
"The story the exhibition tells is about drought, the sense of attachment to land, and the growing focus on sustainable management.
“The preliminary conclusions are that the PhotoVoice exercise provides a deep engagement of the community in the research project.”
Several hundred photographs were taken in South Australia’s South East and in New South Wales’ Murrumbidgee region.
At the end of the PhotoVoice exercise, the participants got together to look at each other’s pictures and to discuss the topics raised by them. The final selection of photographs was made by the participants themselves and will also be shown in the case study regions.
The entire research project is expected to be completed within two years.
Picturing Water Use and Justice will be officially opened by Professor Kay Lawrence, Head of UniSA's South Australian School of Art at 6pm, Thursday February 21 at Artlab Australia, 70 Kintore Avenue, Adelaide. The exhibition is open from 9am to 5pm weekdays until Friday March 14.
Artlab Australia is proud to present this exhibition in their foyer as an official Adelaide Fringe 2008 venue.
Contacts for interview
- Adam D Gray, research officer mobile 0408 897 810 email adam.gray@unisa.edu.au
- Kirsty Darlaston, research officer mobile 0439 505 850 email kirsty.darlaston@postgrads.unisa.edu.au
Media contact
- Vincent Ciccarello office (08) 8302 0578 mobile 0434 603 457 email vincent.ciccarello@unisa.edu.au