From The End Of The Earth – please press HD in video frame for best image quality
From The End Of The Earth
2009/2022
dual-channel DVD video projection and audio track
dimensions variable
26 minutes
edition of 3
This project is from the series The Geographic Fates—which involve traveling to a particular location to live out a predestined path, to link seemingly unrelated geographic locales, to complete a self imposed task, to realize an act of fate and/or to recreate/redefine a hazy memory, occurrence or dream. The end product results in an experiential video installation, transporting the outcome to a whole other set of geographic locations, creating new unexpected linkages.
From The End Of The Earth was conceived in a dream. Diana Shpungin recreated the experience in real life and consulted a scientist to assist in mapping the specific points on the globe that are exact opposites regarding the sunset/sunrise times on a particular date. The times of sunset/sunrise were chosen to be within one minute of each another—one coastal landmass had to be east facing, one west facing, land elevation also was taken into consideration.
Shpungin did not know where she would travel—it could have been any place on the globe. The occurrence correlated in seemingly random, yet highly specific locations during two weeks one summer. Shpungin traveled to Sanya Bay, China on Hainan Island. This most southern point of China in a perfect twist of fate is called “the end of the earth.” Shpungin’s then partner acted as a crucial participant in the project; left with specific instructions and equipment to film in the other location of Miami Beach, U.S.A., where the sun would be received. Now in the present time, the work is shown in a loop both giving and taking back the sun in reverse, as the love is no longer.
The sunrise and sunset were filmed simultaneously, in real time and at the exact same moment miles away. As far apart as humanly possible, Shpungin and her then partner were able to communicate through purely natural means without the use of technology. In the final work the spectator is able to experience a very private, —yet global, universal moment. Time and space is melded creating the impossible experience of being in two places at one time