as light through water by Elena Betros López

Berninneit Art Gallery
26 July – 7 September 2025
Free Entry

As light through water, a solo exhibition by Narrm (Melbourne) artist and poet Elena Betros López, presents a multiscreen moving image installation reflecting on the complex communication of Giant Cuttlefish, their relationship to colour, light and filmmaking.

The Giant Cuttlefish has three layers of skin. The unique cells of each layer produce colour, reflect and recompose light – creating spectacular displays of moving pattern across their bodies, creating symbols and signs in colour and light. The three layers of skin correspond to the light sensitive R, G, B layers of celluloid film. Through this work the artist asks, “can Cuttlefish be understood as a form of biological moving image? Are they film embodied?”

This project was undertaken on the unceded lands and waters of the Barngarla, Bunurong, Boonwurrung, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri peoples.

Image credit: Elena Betros López, “as light through water”, 2025, video still. Courtesy the artist.