Joshua Reiman

In the new film Time Washes Over Us, Portland-based artist Joshua Reiman considers mortality through marine life and poetic and observational storytelling.

Joshua Reiman (United States, born 1972), *Time Washes Over Us*, 2022, still from single-channel video, 21:19 minutes. Somniosus Microcephalus, Nick Caloyianis Productions Inc. & Joshua Reiman. Courtesy of the artist. © Joshua Reiman

Years in the making, he worked with divers and scientists to identify a few of the longest-living animal species in the oceans of the world. Mortality as a concept is expressed through an extended voiceover— narrated by his five-year-old son Ole—that was constructed after each encounter with oceanic animals that are estimated to live from 250 to 400+ years. The film focuses on the Icelandic clam (Arctica islandica) in Eyjafjörður, in Northern Iceland; the red sea urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus) in Vancouver Island, British Columbia; and the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) in Baffin Island, Canada.

“Through encountering these animals in their natural habitat, it helps to bring into consciousness the fragility of life, while quietly interlacing philosophy and historical contexts with questions about mortality as it relates to the human condition.”

— Joshua Reiman

Joshua Reiman, (United States, born 1972), Time Washes Over Us, (detail), 2022. Single-channel video, approximately 21 minutes 18 seconds. Musical score consists of contributions and collaborations with Norihito Suda (Japan), Jóhann Jóhannsson (Iceland), Patrick Carey (Portland, ME), ANOHNI (New York, NY), and Ole B Fossdalur Reiman (Portland, ME). Courtesy of the artist. © Joshua Reiman

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Guest UserFebruary 11, 20222022 nat artist

Joshua Reiman

In the new film Time Washes Over Us, Portland-based artist Joshua Reiman considers mortality through marine life and poetic and observational storytelling.

Explore more artworks from North Atlantic Triennial

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Joshua Reiman

In the new film Time Washes Over Us, Portland-based artist Joshua Reiman considers mortality through marine life and poetic and observational storytelling.

Explore more artworks from North Atlantic Triennial

VISITEXHIBITIONSPROGRAMS & EVENTSPMA FILMSJOIN & GIVELearnWINSLOW HOMER STUDIO

Art For AllSustainabilityABOUT THE PMADonate OnlinePRESS ROOMANNUAL REPORTSPMA Recommends

Facility RentalBOARD OF TRUSTEEScareersDIRECTORYIMAGE SERVICESTerms of UseContact US

LOG IN: Staff | Docents | Trustees

VISIT
EXHIBITIONS
PROGRAMS & EVENTS
PMA FILMS
JOIN & GIVE
Learn
WINSLOW HOMER STUDIO

Art For All
Sustainability
ABOUT THE PMA
Donate Online
PRESS ROOM
ANNUAL REPORTS
PMA Recommends

Facility Rental
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
careers
DIRECTORY
IMAGE SERVICES
Terms of Use
Contact US