10,000 Waves - Large Installation/Immersion @ MoMA

10,000 Waves is an engrossing video & sound installation on the 2nd floor @ the MoMA.  The British born (1960) filmmaker Julien Isaac uses 9 huge, double sided screens strategically suspended from the ceiling.  The videos alternate scenes of contemporary & ancient China, mythical beings, tranquil waves and recovery missions at sea.  The film is both peacefully hypnotic & abruptly disconcerting.  The videos, music and vocal communications immerse the spectators in a surreal art performance that  runs for about an hour.  The audio portion contains poetry, music, and recorded voices of a sea rescue.  Isaac references the drowning tragedy in '04 off the NW English coast of Chinese workers and pays tribute to those lost at sea.  The poem Small Boats by W. Ping is recited against the multitude of waves,  "Souls scatter across the ocean, nothing is left of us."  The footage of an angelic floating figure is reminiscent of the magical beauty in the film "Flying Tigers." The contemporary footage shows busy traffic intersections and a lovely woman traveling alone.  Comfortable seating space accommodates the immersion.  There is a visceral sense of isolation although we're reminded "we all end in the same boat."