Artwork Information

Gavin Hipkins' experimental filmic piece 'Erewhon: The Book of the Machines' was created in conjunction with the artist's debut in feature length film. 'Erewhon' premiered at the Auckland International Film Festival and Edinburgh Festival of the Arts. Both pieces reference the chapter 'The Book of the Machines' from Samuel Butler's novel 'Erewhon' (1872). For Hipkins, the writings still possess great validity today in terms of colonialism and reliance on technology. He utilises the author's transposition strategy to create an essay film that incorporates fictional elements exploring these issues and their continued significance through time.

Hipkins is a prominent New Zealand artist working with photography and film. His experimental works utilise a variety of digital and analogue technology to produce pieces that challenge traditional discourses and genres of art making.