If your eyes gloss over for a second when you hear the name Iwan Iwanoff, it’s a safe bet that you grew up in Perth in the 1980’s. Sadly several of his iconic homes have been lost to development. However thanks to a unique collaboration between Screenwest and the State Library of Perth, the homes have not only been resurrected innovative technology means you can walk around inside. This is just one of five projects in the fascinating WA Reflections initiative that see WA filmmakers interpret archival items from the State Library collection using film and VR techniques.
Screenwest was given access to Western Australia’s rich archival collection of letters, diaries, journals, oral recordings and even blueprints. This level of access between a library and screen agency was the first of its kind in Australia.
I know what you’re thinking. Who wants to look through a bunch of old documents displayed under glass. Sure they’re interesting at first but you soon loose interest. Well not this time.
WA Reflections is a fascinating marriage of archival documents and innovative technology which allows the community to experience our history through screen. Okay so now you’re thinking a documentary right? Some old chap from Antiques Roadshow flipping through archival documents. No. WA Reflections uses a whole new lens of technology to help us relive history.
The projects range from: a dramatisation of a ballroom murder mystery; a celebration of WA’s musical history in the 60s; a creative exposé of our streets; a journey of prospecting in the goldfields from the 80s to the present; and an immersive VR in depth look at famous Perth architect, Iwan Iwanoff’s, designs.
State Library of Western Australia, acting CEO Susan McEwan said, “We have a fantastic collection but it is often hidden away so we are always exploring new ways for the public to access these stories. We believe these short films will be seen by literally thousands of Western Australians across the State. They will form a collection that will be accessible by all, like everything the Library provides – they will be free.”
Last week I was fortunate to experience one of the projects, Reflections of Iwanoff. [Note: no that isn’t me in the photo].
Reflections of Iwanoff review
As a child I walked past one of Iwanoff’s houses in Dianella on the way to primary school. Every time I’d wonder what it was like inside. Years later when it was time to buy my first home I dreamt about owning something as groovy as an Iwanoff home. I knew there was no way I could ever afford one, but perhaps I could incorporate a small nod to his flare. And so it was with much excitement that that I entered a small no descript office in Fremantle and happily followed the managers instructions without hesitation. [As a side point I’ve been developing a theory about office design versus the work being produced. The hypothesis goes something like, the duller the office, the more creative, fascinating and important the work being undertaken. There is little need for “sales slick” when the output speaks for itself. It’s a working hypothesis at the moment.]
I was asked to sit on an office chair in the middle of the room. I complied. Then I was put into darkness. I couldn’t see anything. Anticipation and excitement were the name of the game, not fear.
As the VR headset began playing a received a brief introduction to Iwan and a retelling of his upbringing. Then I found myself standing on a virtual street front looking at one of his homes.
The talented guys at Frame Labs had used technology best known for gaming, to digitally recreate one of the architect’s building that has since been demolished. Luckily they were able to access blueprints held in the State Library’s collection which they added to with letters and interviews. The result was an enthralling experience. A visual overload of colour followed as I steered my way through various rooms in the post war, near psychedelic house.
Reflections of Iwanoff is just one of five projects funded through the capacity building initiative.
The Other Projects and Links
The projects provide new opportunities to see the depth and richness of the archive collection. Filming took place across Perth, Fremantle and the Goldfields . Over 40 creatives and talent engaged in production of the five films, ranging from actors to animators, photographers, sound recordists, directors and even a skateboarder.
At the opening event, The Honourable David Templeman, Minister for Culture and the Arts said, “A project like this is an excellent response to the COVID recovery, embracing the arts and funding opportunities for early and mid-career filmmakers and engaging dozens of young creatives. It’s great to see the diversity in the offerings exploring a range of collection materials such as archival film, photographs, government documents from the State Record Office, and architectural plans and drawings to build these unique stories.”
Screenwest CEO Willie Rowe added, “These uniquely Western Australian stories have been reimagined by a talented group of Western Australian creatives, to share our stories with our community. The resulting projects are of extremely high calibre and will likely open up new opportunities for these filmmakers as they continue their careers. I’m again very thankful to the State Library for partnering with Screenwest on this initiative.”
The series will showcased in monthly public screenings from June. For further information and bookings for the subsequent screenings please see the State Library of Western Australia’s events and exhibitions and registration links below. The films will be released on the State Library’s website after each screening.
Thursday June 17 – Generation Hi-Fi
Looks back at the legacy of the HiFi Club with legendary Colin Nichol and the cultural shift of the time that it represented in 1960s Perth. Register for bookings here.
Thursday July 8 – Murder on the Dance Floor
It’s 1925 and hundreds of people are dancing the foxtrot in Western Australia’s Government House, when BANG! A gun goes off. People turn to see jilted fiancée, Audrey Jacobs, holding the pistol while standing over the bleeding body of her ex, Cyril Gidley. What should have been an open and shut case proved to be a very different story. See here to register.
Thursday August 12 – That’s How it Goes I S’pose
Two veteran photographers, Roger Garwood and Trish Aisnlie dust off their cameras to continue a project they first started 45 years ago; a project that speaks to WA’s history… and its future. See here to register.
Thursday September 9 – Reflections of Iwanoff
Using the plans and drawings of Australian architect Iwan Iwanoff, Reflections of Iwanoff through the medium of Virtual Reality brings to life the now demolished home of WA family Jack and Marcia Harrison. Renowned architectural historian, Stuart Harrison (ABC’s Restoration Australia), guides the viewer through the virtual Harrison House. See here to register.
Thursday October 14 – Rolling Through Time
Rolling Through Time is a short poetic documentary which will take the viewer between 2020 and the 1960s, as a skater fluidly moves through Perth and composited in the same shots is beautiful 16mm footage of the same location from the 1960s. See here to register.
Most of all the experience left me pondering about the myriad of applications for VR technology … something we will be exploring more in future posts.
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Reflections of Iwanoff
