Once a Sea
Using a fusion of archival imagery, high-speed film, microscopy, photogrammetry and 3D laser scans of St Mary’s Church, ‘Once a Sea’ takes the viewer on an infinitesimal journey through time and space to explore the materiality of the architecture and history of St Mary’s Church and the wider area of Portsmouth from the perspective of deep, geological time.
The title of the work alludes to a period over 35 million years ago when Portsmouth was covered by warm shallow sea and the older fossilized marine life that makes up the chalk and flint cliffs of Portsdown Hill was a deep ocean. The area around St Mary’s was once the highest part of Portsea Island and one of the first pieces of land to emerge from the retreating water. The present building, standing on one of the oldest church sites of the island, is built from flint and concrete, materials largely derived from fossilized sea life.
Today as we face the challenges of global warming and rising sea levels it is not so difficult to imagine a time in the future when the island of Portsea will once again return to the sea. ‘Once a Sea’ is a reflection upon the impermanence of life within the context of Portsmouth, St Mary’s Church and a deeper time.
Once a Sea can be seen at the following times:
Thursday 21st – Saturday 23rd November 2024: 5 – 9 pm. Showing as part of We Shine event.
Sunday 24th November:
4.30pm – 6.15pm Once a Sea light installation
6.30pm – 7.15pm Live Music by the Sea.
7.30pm – 9.00pm Once a Sea resumes.
Monday 25th November
4.30pm – 6.15pm Once a Sea light installation.
6.30pm – 7.15pm By the Sea Yoga with LANO. Free but please book via Eventbrite.
7.30pm – 9.00pm Once a Sea resumes.
Tuesday 26th November 2024
4.30pm – 6.15pm Once a Sea light installation.
6.30pm – 7.15pm Live Organ music improvisation to Once a Sea.
7.30pm – 9.00pm Once a Sea resumes.
Wednesday 27th November 2024:
4.30pm – 4.40pm Portsmouth Academy Dance.
4.50pm – 6.15pm Once a Sea light installation.
6.30pm – 6.50pm Classique Ballroom Dance.
6.55pm – 7.15pm Phoenix School of Dance.
7.30pm – 9.00pm Last chance to see Once a Sea.
The project has been commissioned by St Mary’s Church, Portsmouth and Fratton Together with support from Arts Council England, Portsmouth Creates and the University of Portsmouth.
