Julia Parks, Seaweed, 2022. Courtesy of the artist.
This screening of three 16mm works by Julia Parks, presented by LUX Scotland is part of a series of public events planned in Orkney to celebrate the installation and unveiling of a Historic Environment Scotland commemorative plaque celebrating filmmaker Margaret Tait and is the final event of the Margaret Tait 100 project.
Admission is free but booking is essential. Bookings through Eventbrite
Julia is also running a workshop, DIY Approaches to Cameraless and 16mm Filmmaking, on the same day. The workshop is fully booked
PROGRAMME
‘Solway Steel and Cyclamen’ (2019)
An animated film portrait of seven west cumbrian industries from shoemaking to flower growing.
The film was commissioned by Florence Arts Centre as part of a residency project titled Self Seeder at Florence Arts Centre in Egremont with Hattie Moore and Jocelyn McGregor. The project was funded by Arts Council England.
‘HAAF’ (2020)
‘HAAF’ tells the story of the Haaf Netters in their own words. A fishing tradition that dates back over 1000 years to the Viking Age, Haaf netting is an ancient art directly linked to the Solway Firth, where men on both sides of the border have passed down their skills of the craft for centuries. Due to the external threat of environmental politics and social decline, the Haaf Netters today may be the last to fish these waters. The film explores folklore, language and the current fight for its survival by three key men – Mark, John and Barry.
Co-directed with Heather Andrews.
‘HAAF’ was commissioned by RE DRIFT as part of a residency project with Irene Rogan and RL Wilson. The project was funded by Arts Council England.
‘Seaweed’ (2022)
16mm moving image artwork that explores the folklore, ecology, and history of seaweed in north Scotland. Voiced by seaweed harvesters, workers in the alginate factories, environmental activists, archaeologists, seaweed farmers behind the miracle resource. The film includes archive footage, oral histories and contemporary documentary footage of people working with seaweed.
Funded by Arts Council England, FLAMIN & Cumbria Community Foundation and made as part of a wider project called Seaweed Stories.
ABOUT JULIA PARKS
Julia’s practice encompasses film, animation and photography, often using a series of photographs and projected 16mm film. Through this medium, Julia explores the different relationships between landscape, industry, plants and people, often focusing on the west coast of Cumbria. Her films are created using an experimental documentary approach, often using 16mm film, archival footage, poetry and song.
Julia is currently taking part in a 6‑month residency with Alchemy Film & Arts as part of their‘The Teviot, the Flag and the Rich, Rich Soil’ programme.
Supported by The Pier Arts Centre, Historic Environment Scotland, the Pickaquoy Centre and The University of Glasgow, with support from Creative Scotland.