FIELD TRIP | Walking amongst the wrack with Ocean LAB

 Discover what the wrack zone is and why it matters during an immersive field trip blending science, art, and sensory exploration.

Ocean LAB is made up of practitioners Prue Francis, Vicki Hallett, and Fiona Hillary.

Prue Francis is a Wadawurrung-based marine scientist specialising in seaweed cultivation techniques for improved seaweed restoration. Prue is passionate about raising awareness and knowledge about the Great Southern Reef to inspire marine stewardship.

Vicki Hallett is a Wadawurrung-based musician, nature recordist, sound artist and composer. Her focus is to feature habitats and species and often utilises sounds we rarely or cannot hear. Vicki records subterranean, aquatic, and atmospheric sounds and creates works that reveal a wondrous world existing beyond our limited senses.

Fiona Hillary is a Naarm/Melbourne-based artist/academic working in the public realm. Her passion lies in site-specific practices and the human/non-human/more-than-human relationships that reveal themselves across time.


 This field trip will unravel your perception of the wrack zone through hands-on beachcombing with a scientist and artists—discover kelp up close, capture hidden textures and tiny details using clip-on phone microscopes, and tune into the soundscapes through the use of a hydrophone.



A minibus will take participants to the field trip at Queenscliff. Participants are also welcome to join us at the location. Please specify at check out which option you will take.

Itinerary:

• Please arrive at Platform Arts at 12.30PM
• Bus departs at 12.45PM
• Bus trip: 35-40 mins
• Arrive at Princess Park Playground car park (off Tobin Drive) in Queenscliff for 1:30PM start
  
• Walk along beach and hydrophone listening: 1.30PM - 3.30PM
  
• Depart Queenscliff just after 3.30PM
  
• Arrive back at Platform Arts around 4.00PM

What to bring: 

Wear weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear suitable for walking on sand. Bring a phone or similar device if you'd like to use the clip-on microscopes (optional). Don’t forget water, snacks, and any personal items you may need. Please note: the field trip involves approximately 2km of walking along the beach and pier.

All materials will be provided. 

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Please note: As this is a field trip, ensure that you bring anything you will need during this time. This workshop has limited accessibility. Please speak to our team if you have any questions or concerns: curator@platformarts.org.au. If you are catching the bus from Platform Arts, you will need to stay the duration of the field trip in order to catch the bus back with the group.

Field Trip is a series of encounters where participants join presenting artists on location, often traveling together from Platform Arts as a meeting point. It forges collaborative intergenerational connections, where artists share their site-based practice and speak to the importance of place in their work and self.

Platform Arts acknowledges that Field Trip takes place on the unceded lands of the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We recognise their language, art and culture, and acknowledge their people as the first artists and Custodians of this land. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and extend these respects to all First Nations people and their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Field Trip is conceived by Professor Rea Dennis. 2025 field trips are co-curated by Rea Dennis and Amber Smith.

This project has been supported by a City of Greater Geelong Community Grant.


Image: Prue snorkelling with Ecklonia - credit Stefan Andrews