Learning Lab

River Connections in the Learning Lab / Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Rob French

Learning Lab's River Connections is an immersive projection experience made in collaboration with First Peoples community members exploring their close connections to the land, animals, plants and rivers of Victoria.

The five-minute experience takes audiences on a journey through the unique environment of the Murray River. It explores how all life is connected and dependent on a healthy environment to thrive, however overuse of the waterways and pollution from human activities put this at risk.

Each scene, image and sound, as well as the overall structure, was developed through a consultative and collaborative process of Deep Listening sessions and visiting Elders on Country.

This inspiring infinity projection of a beautiful river environment reminds viewers that we are all part of a dynamic web of life.

Created by Grumpy Sailor and Museums Victoria in collaboration with First Peoples Elders and artists Larry Walsh, Esther Kirby, Brendan Kennedy and Consultant Curator, Genevieve Grieves. Voiceover by Esther Kirby.

Awards

• MAPDAs, Winner in Multimedia Award Level B
• MAPDAs, Best in Show in Multimedia
• Good Design Award, Best in Class in Digital Design - Game Design and Animation
• Creative Communication Awards, Best of Best in Animations / TV / Film / Animation

Metamorphosis in the Learning Lab at Melbourne Museum / Source: Museums Victoria / Photo: Rob French

Venture into the microcosm and explore the beautiful transformation of the Orchard Swallowtail.

Metamorphosis is an immersive short film documenting the life cycle of the Orchard Swallowtail — from egg to caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly. 

Captured using digital cinema cameras and powerful macro lenses, months of growth and change are compressed into a 5-minute cinematic experience to reveal these delicate creatures as they come to life. 

Metamorphosis unfolds as a meditative observation of the smallest parts of our world, highlighting the beauty and complexity that often goes unseen. 

Filmed by Melbourne-based filmmaker Josef Gatti, with composition and sound design by musician John-Paul James, in collaboration with Museums Victoria and Zoos Victoria. 

Credits

Director, Cinematographer, Editor: Josef Gatti 

Composer, Sound Designer, Mixer: John-Paul James 

Producer: Rob Innes 

Museums Victoria: Ali Sanderson, Maik Fiedel, Richard Pilkington 

Zoos Victoria: Melvin Nathan 

Victoria's Living Tapestry in the Learning Lab / Source: Melbourne Museum / Photo: Rob French

Victoria is a living tapestry of natural beauty and extraordinary diversity. From the rugged coastline to the Murray, from snowy mountain peaks to vast volcanic plains, we invite you to immerse yourself in ecosystems that shelter unique flora and fauna and sustain us through the air, waterways, and soil that give us life. An immersive Museums Victoria companion to the Our Wondrous Planet exhibition.