"I met a guy in a pub..." is a deadset giveaway for a good yarn. From high hopes to high seas, Jack Moran's latest solo exhibition Kodama chronicles the ~1,600 nautical miles that followed his fateful interaction at Nag's Head Hotel. And despite all odds, he lives to tell the tale.
Photos: Jack Moran / IG: @jackmoran_76.
That said, sailors and fishermen are notorious for tall tales, embellishing every detail for guts and glory. Every wave and shark, a foot taller and longer with each telling. Take it with a tablespoon of salt. But between Jack's Nikonos III and Bolex H16, he's captured undeniable proof. From Lifou, Fiji, to Gold Coast, Australia, this is Jack's Kodama.
See for yourself. Kodama exhibits this Friday, March 20th, at Studio 551, King St, Newtown, NSW. RSVP, here.
Jack, great to have you back! What’s changed since we last spoke?
Thanks for having me! Doing more or less doing the same thing, still living in Sydney, fueling the addiction of shooting pictures and telling stories.
What is a Kodama?
The word Kodama has its roots in Japanese Folklore — a tree spirit that, when properly worshiped would protect families and villages. About the worst thing you can do is cut down a Kodama, because it would bring misfortune or curse upon you. Kodama (Kody) was the name of the boat we sailed from Fiji to Brisbane. Long story short, I met a guy in a pub in Glebe, and he told me his story and offered me passage aboard the boat.
Can you describe the vessel and crew?
Kody was built in the 1960s as a professional fishing vessel. Built in Australia out of spotted gum and beech. She was made for commercial fishing trips in heavy conditions and cold waters. Before they finished the deck, they shifted to a more recreational design, and she virtually hasn’t changed since.
The crew on the other hand were of a ragtag bunch, to be honest (including me). The couple that owned the boat had lived on her previously, but she hadn’t moved for 8 months up until we left the wharf.
Last time we spoke I asked for your favourite vantage shooting live music. Similarly, where did you find yourself shooting on SV Kodama?
In all honesty, wherever my broken body would allow me to take photos. In my log I wrote “I signed on to this trip as a sailor, not a photographer. Any media created is secondary to fulfilling everyday sailing routine.” You’re doing pretty physical work on a boat of that vintage. It’s only when you stop and run out of wind that you think, “I should really take some photos."
Do you think 21 seasons of Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch can prepare anyone for a leg at sea? Was it everything you expected?
12 years of sailing didn’t prepare me for this leg at sea! The more modern your vessel is, the easier it is on the water. We had to steer by hand 24 hours of the day, so you’re doing 2 hours of work and resting 8 hours. When you do that for 14 days straight, it really knocks you down.
And the cyclone!? Describe the apprehension of the crew sailing alongside it.
We left Vanuatu when we heard Cyclone Gabrielle was on its way. There wasn’t anywhere we could safely anchor and hide it out. We aimed to make it to New Caledonia via motor-sailing, but halfway between the islands, the propeller shaft snapped. This left us with nothing but our sails and a time frame of 4 days to get to land — it took us 3. We hoisted every damn sail on that ship to make it before the cyclone hit, and made it by the skin of our teeth. I started writing a death note to my parents and slipped it into a dry bag in my lifejacket.
How many days did you spend at sea? Did you disembark a changed man?
The longest passage of the trip was 14 days, Lifou to the Gold Coast. No doubt it changed me, it made me rethink my ideas of risk, and how my head deals with that. It also taught me if I’m on a shoot and it’s not up to my standard, there are worse places to be.
Was there any source of photographic inspiration before setting sail?
I grew up in a fairly nautical family, and the walls of home were filled with photos of my parents aboard various vessels. These images had a beautiful sense of warmth to them, something that I strive to emulate in all of my pictures.
I think marine photography is a really interesting genre. Most of the images that I encounter when researching are commercial images. When I find an image that I really love, it often comes from a personal archive, and might not have the same widespread appeal that another genre of photography has.
There are only 3 people in the images, and one of them is a statue. I wanted to step away from people for a moment and just try to capture feelings.
What camera gear/film stock did you use?
I kept it pretty simple with a Nikonos III with the 35mm 2.5, and a Bolex H16 for the motion. Fuji 100 for the stills, and Kodak 50D for the 16mm. I scanned all the film in a neg holder that I made when I was a kid. It’s messy, but I think it takes it into a different realm rather than just a coloured square on a white square.
No amount of silica gels sachets can prepare for 26 days at sea. Any tips for waterproofing?
I think the key to waterproofing is to not take your cameras underwater. Sadly, this was my Nikonos’ last trip. It got flooded when I was shooting us dismantling and rebuilding the propeller. I tried my best to flood it with freshwater and give it a second chance, but we had to get a move on. It was last on the list of things to do. A good reminder for readers to service the rewind O-ring on those cameras haha.
Your images serve as a personal reminder to be bold in pursuit of life. Prior to this exhibition, what compelled your bold spirit?
Blind faith, love of craftsmanship, and connection.
You’re showing at Studio 551 again? What can the crowd expect?
I’m filling the walls with excerpts from the log to help guide the journey. It should be a pretty special exhibition to lose yourself in. I really want to ask people what their Kodama is. This was mine, but I’d love to know yours. Also, there are just under 100 people on the RSVP list, so get down early and score a Jameson before they run out.
Kodama exhibits this Friday, March 20th, at Studio 551, King St, Newtown, NSW. RSVP, here.
