Expedition into a Volcano (2026) is an immersive, multiscreen, moving-image installation.
It takes its name from an educational film, found within the moving image archives of the Box and interweaves a range of footage from films made in India, Africa, the Pacific and other parts of the colonised world as well as footage of ‘idyllic’ tropic gardens in Devon and Cornwall.
The film highlights 'patterns' -the ideas and assumptions around the development and 'civilisation', of the natural world and its people. This work takes the idea of 'exploration' and scientific endeavour (the pursuit of knowledge) as a precursor and accessory to colonisation, exploitation and extraction. It imagines the sense of discovery and wonder at new landscapes, animals and people, just as it questions the desire to dominate and destroy.
The installation also includes examples of volcanic rocks and lava (collected from around the world) from the collections of the Box.
Film: 20mins
Expedition into a Volcano showing at the Box in Plymouth, 2026
Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Editing
Beccy Strong
Original Music
Kimwei McCarthy – Flute, Guitar
Christopher Dance – Violin, Mandolin
Lisa Rowe – Violin, Accordion
Commissioned and shown by The Box, Plymouth, 2026