3rd place
bronze star award
Alexander Housalas
australia 
title
Coast Dwellers
Humans by design, have deep emotional and biological ties to being in the presence of the ocean. We spend the first nine months of lives immersed in the watery environment of our mother’s womb and when we are born, our bodies are approximately 78 per cent water.
When we physically enter the water, we give up gravity and our field of view and auditory sense is simplified. We become immersed in a contemplative and self-referential perspective which is akin to a mildly meditative state and gives us a chance to escape the hyper-connected, over-stimulated state of modern-day life, in favour of a rare moment of solitude.
A stage for our curious performances with the ocean as our theatre.
Drawing influence from the noir style of filmmaking, Alexanders evocative works always aim to tell a story and to communicate a mood or emotion. Via his somewhat darker and rawer aesthetic, Alexander plays with key noir cinematographic elements of contrast and intense lighting techniques. Throughout each piece of work, the viewer understands that no movement, no line of dialogue, no shadow is there without purpose – each aims to elicit a conversation and meaning for the audience.
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entry description
The ocean like space is a deep, complex and subtle realm. In both, we feel tiny and powerless and yet eternal and tranquil. The sea’s energy is straightforwardly dangerous and we are never really in charge, yet we dismiss all of the risks for the euphoria of abandoning gravity momentarily to transcend into weightlessness for a rare, fleeting moment.Humans by design, have deep emotional and biological ties to being in the presence of the ocean. We spend the first nine months of lives immersed in the watery environment of our mother’s womb and when we are born, our bodies are approximately 78 per cent water.
When we physically enter the water, we give up gravity and our field of view and auditory sense is simplified. We become immersed in a contemplative and self-referential perspective which is akin to a mildly meditative state and gives us a chance to escape the hyper-connected, over-stimulated state of modern-day life, in favour of a rare moment of solitude.
A stage for our curious performances with the ocean as our theatre.
about the photographer
B.1974 Alexander Housalas graduated Architecture from the University of Bath with Honours before returning to Sydney in 2000 to pursue a career in photography and Advertising.Drawing influence from the noir style of filmmaking, Alexanders evocative works always aim to tell a story and to communicate a mood or emotion. Via his somewhat darker and rawer aesthetic, Alexander plays with key noir cinematographic elements of contrast and intense lighting techniques. Throughout each piece of work, the viewer understands that no movement, no line of dialogue, no shadow is there without purpose – each aims to elicit a conversation and meaning for the audience.
back to gallery
