Flatwater Immersive Video Installation
The name Nebraska was derived from the Indigenous word Ñí Brásge (nee-BRATHE-ga) meaning “flat water.” With nearly 80,000 miles of rivers surrounded by plains and sand hills, Nebraska’s unique landscape is taking center stage at Gallery 1516.
That landscape is being celebrated in Nebraska Flatwater, an immersive video installation produced by Gallery 1516 and directed by Adam Larsen. This exhibit explores the beauty of the Nebraska landscape throughout the four seasons and includes scenes of blossoming spring flowers, autumn wheat fields, roaming bison, and the important role that water plays in nature. Nebraska Flatwater also incorporates music by Nebraska performers, giving viewers a full experience of our state’s artistic talents.
“If there is magic in this planet, it is contained in water.”
History
Flatwater was conceived of by Gallery 1516 with the goal to show visitors the beauty of the Nebraska landscape. Special focus was given to water and its importance to the history and environment of the state.
Beginning in 2020, a team of cinematographers led by Adam Larsen was assembled to capture footage of Nebraska throughout the four seasons. Over a period of two years, the team traveled across the state documenting changing weather; landscapes, and wildlife. The team was always on call, ready to capture snowfalls and thunderstorms at a moemnt’s notice. Larson first collaborated with Gallery 1516 on an immersive video installation titled Dharma at Big Sur; made for Opera Omaha and hosted at Gallery 1516 in 2018. We approached him with the idea of creating a similar exhibition focusing on the Nebraska landscape. He welcomed the challenge as well as other collaborators Scott Drickey, Ahmad Jaffrey and Stephen Earnhart.
In keeping with Gallery 1516’s mission to celebrate all forms of Nebraska art. Flatwater also features the talents of Nebraska writers, performers, musicians, and artists. Original music for the film was produced and performed by David Downing and Darci Griffin Gameri. Flatwater also features the work of renowned musician Chip Davis, and acclaimed writer Willa Cather.
Quotes from Video:
Under these skies the waters flow… Under these skies… Otoe people called it “Ni brathge” Flat water
I love the land of winding waters more than all the rest of the world. –Chief Joseph, Nez Perce
The Great Spirit is our Father, but the Earth is our Mother. She nourishes us – Big Thunder (Bedagi), Wabanaski Algoquin
If there is magic in this planet, it is contained in water. -Loren Eiseley
There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm. – Willa Cather
Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children. – Crazy Horse, Chief of the Ogalala band of Lakota
My first years were spent living just as my forefathers had lived, roaming the green rolling hills… - Chief Standing Bear
The land is sacred. These words at the core of your being. The land is our Mother, the rivers our blood. – Mary Brave Bird, Lakota Sioux
All day the storm went on. The snow did not fall this time, it simply spilled out of heaven, like thousands of featherbeds being emptied. – Willa Cather
It must have been the scarcity of detail in that tawny landscape that made detail so precious. – Willa Cather
You could not stop the winds and you could not stop Time. It went on and on, and on. -Bess Streeter Aldrich
Anyone can love the mountains, It takes a soul to love the prairie. -Willa Cather
Credits
Adam Larsen - Director, Cinematographer, Editor
Stephen Earnhart - Co-Producer, Sound Design
Scott Drickey - First Assistant Director, Second Unit Cinematographer
Ahmad Jaffrey - Additional Photography
Ben Drickey - Additional Photography
Movement in collaboration with tbd. Dance Collective
Kat Fackler - Movement Coordinator
Stephanie Huettner - Dancer
Gayle Rocz - Dancer
Shaquire Jones - Dancer
Sarah Rowe - Narration
Music
Interlude IV
Composed by Chip Davis
Performed by Mannheim Steamroller
Sacred Waters
Composed and Performed by David Downing & Darci Griffith Gamerl
Produced and Engineered by Tom Ware
Unpaved Road
Composed and Performed by David Downing
Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major
Composed by J.S. Bach
Performed by David Downing
Produced and Engineered by Tom Ware
Frühlingsglaube - D.686
Composed by Franz Schubert
Arranged by Franz Liszt
Lilacs - Op. 21 No. 5
Composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Special Thanks
Adam Larsen
Stephen Earnhart
Scott Drickey Productions
Ahmad Jaffrey
Torchwerks
Warehouse Productions
Darci Griffith Gamerl
David Downing
Chip Davis
tbd. Dance Collective
Sarah Rowe
Holland Foundation
Fred & Eve Simon Charitable Foundation
Douglas County
Richard Brooke Foundation
Sherwood Foundation
Pape Family Foundation
The Crane Trust
The Nature Conservancy Nebraska Chapter - Niobrara Vallery Preserve
Prairie Plains Resource Institute
Calamus Outfitters
James Le Sueur
Sitzmann Foto
John Davis
Mary & Whitney Ferer
Steve Martin & Amy Haddad
Kathryn & Tim Eller
and the Friends of Gallery 1516