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Posted on Monday November 14th 2011 at 12:13 p.m.
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Riding on the coat tails of Rugby World Cup victory it's an easy time to feel nostalgic for this little island country as it teethes its way into the twenty first century. Political rhetoric, on one side at least, is harking back to traditional roots and good honest men, whilst over yonder goal posts the other preaches a brighter future. There's a definite air, ironic considering our once-championed meekness, that at last NZ is standing tall on the world stage and walking the korero.
Right now does somewhat seem to be that long-awaited defining moment that NZ will one day look back upon as a turning point of fortunes. Of course, it had to come through rugby though I don't know why sporting history is the only acceptable mainstream yardstick of our culture. The very nature of this country, excuse the pun, and our identity as people of such a unique place should, in my opinion, stand in stronger stead with us all when the microscopes on.
It's a safe bet to assume that most of us have a cache of old photographs that seldom see the light of day. Moments in time stashed away. And as with memories, its much easier to go on accumulating new ones rather than looking over ones' shoulder at the past (or to sort through that old shoe box in the closet). Photos date, but they don't lie that's why they can often be uncomfortable to look at. But regardless of how painful or embarrassing or funny or joyful it may be to review them, their imagery is what we use to remember. They are historical documents, not to be forgotten.
Which is very relevant to the feeling I get reading Craig Levers' latest book 'Beached As : Then & Now'. A fine blend of nostalgia and kiwi visuals to a sense of place and coming of age in both a social context and as a personal achievement. The book offers a unique perspective into two eras of New Zealand beach life by the intertwining of Levers' own present day photography with that of his late Auntie Audrey's images, made around New Zealand between the 1930's to the 1960's.
The twist is that in 'Beached As : Then & Now ' Levers has gone to extraordinary lengths to recreate the scene captured in the first instance by his aunt, and in doing so holds up an intriguing mirror to the history and geography of our coastlines. By re-shooting the same place from the same viewpoint often more than 50 years later, this book provides a curious portal back in time and it's pretty wild to see how the landscape, architecture and people have changed (or in some instances haven't changed) over the years.
The idea of the book itself implies a journey the continuum of life and family, of country and society. Using his late aunts preciously guarded negatives as inspiration, Levers travels led him in her footsteps around many of NZ's most treasured beaches: Kaiteriteri, Waihi, Opononi, Punakaiki, Bucklands Beach and Oriental Bay, whilst also extending his own photographic exploits to more remote areas like Hickory Bay, Taupo Bay, Cannibal Bay and Te Arai Point, continuing on the photo essay documenting our finest 'sandy bits' (his words) that began in 'Beached As Our favourite New Zealand Beaches, Vol.1,' that was released in 2009.
As a pictorial photography book the images are suitably honest and are testament to Levers growing love of landscape photography and his developing skills in the field. The slowing down of process and necessary empathy for his subject matter that must have in part been born out of homage for his Aunt, and partly of the search itself, has only lent to the authenticity of the book. In his trademark candid way the text offers insights into loss, the pursuit of an idea, personal shortcomings and successes, the struggles of professional photography and exploring ones' own family roots, whilst also along the way providing cultural and historical facts that the locals will be keen to indulge in.
History will always stick more if you hold it in context. 'Beached As : Then & Now' finds relevance through it's investigation of that quintessential element in of all us kiwis our love of the beach, and secretly, of ourselves. When looking at old photographs faded and scratched with the fixative starting to yellow, there can be a sense of remove from the present, and therefore remoteness. It is Levers' luck, whether by design or happenstance, by having had singular access to such a unique photographic archive, and by cleverly employing our innate fondness for the coast and marrying it with stunning contemporary photography, to have created a historical document that will appeal to that proudest summer holiday kiwi-ness in all of us.
Check out photocpl.co.nz for more info, stockists and background to the book.
Win a copy of 'Beached As - Then and Now'
By Rowan Klevstul
Rowan Klevstul has been documenting and writing about surfing in New Zealand since 2000. If you're after a piece of eclectic surf photography, contact Rowan on 021 252 7970 or at rjklevstul@clear.net.nz.