The ‘Memory of Water (part 1)’ explores Carl Jung’s notion of the ‘collective unconscious’, examining consciousness in the form of memory or perceived experience and the power of the gaze as that which mediates external phenomena. Sadia’s video explores the relationship between the drop and the ocean in terms of human experience. While the camera is trained in close up on their eyes, a series of people answer the question, “What is your most significant memory?”
The words and the eyes are played out of sync, so that one person’s voice speaks under another’s gaze. This simple device releases the memories from individual ownership, and the work becomes a gesture towards transcendence. Informed by the Jungian notion of the collective unconscious, The Memory of Water examines the gaze as a bridge between inner and outer worlds.
Related events
Content notification
Our collection comprises over 40,000 moving image works, acquired and catalogued between the 1940s and early 2000s. As a result, some items may reflect outdated, offensive and possibly harmful views and opinions. ACMI is working to identify and redress such usages.
Learn more about our collection and our collection policy here. If you come across harmful content on our website that you would like to report, let us know.
How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Previously on display
13 February 2005
ACMI Screen Gallery
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
B1006598
Subject category
Digital Art
Sound/audio
Audio Format/Stereo
Colour
Colour
Object Types
Artwork
Materials
Single channel moving image
Holdings
DVD [PAL]; Copy
DVCAM; Master
DVCAM; Sub-master
VHS [PAL]; Reference - timecoded
DVD [PAL]; Exhibition Copy
MPEG-4 Digital File; ACMI Digital Access Copy - presentation
MOV file ProRes4444; Digital Preservation Master - presentation