The installation was part of the Water * Peace Exhibition placed along the Huatoki River walk, in the city center of New Plymouth where people cruising the city might happen upon it. The following day it was installed at the WIT campus where a symposium was held. 300 hand-made mixed-media artworks made by artist Ava Paterson Werner were hung across the Huatoki walkway; passers-by could view them and cut one down and take it away at no cost. Each piece was a unique collage painting reflecting on the Maori culture, history, and local landscape. On the back of each piece were questions such as “What water do you come from, and “What is your water story,” which were translations of common Maori greetings that reflect the integral way that water is related to the core of their identity as a people. People who wanted to take one of the cards were asked to look at mounted collages made by James that consisted of images related to a variety of water topics such as climate change, pollution, and local conflicts on water rights. These installations were installed with video cameras, and patrons were asked to look into the video camera and answer the question on the back of the card they had chosen. The end result of the installations was a surplus of video documenting individuals’ thoughts on water and it’s importance to them. Statements ranged from, “I like water for swimming,” to stories of nearly drowning, contacts with sharks, eerie sailing stories, ballads complete with guitar rifts about water and life sung in Maori language, and critical and compelling reflections of the state of water pollution and conservation around the globe. The footage reveals interesting points about technology interaction and the desire to contribute reflective comments to a global audience from this community. See Ava Paterson Werner's website, avawerner.com for more information and samples.

WaterLinks: Island Reflections took place on the Federated States of Micronesia’s island of Chuuk, and on the island of Vanuatu during August and September of 2015. The video diary art installations were installed in market areas, community centers, schools, and crowed walkways along the beach. Using collage images with cameras installed in them, people were questioned about new technologies in their community and the effect of climate change on their island and region. The testimonies have been compiled into an interactive piece. They reveal how some currently understand what climate change is, and their perspective on what should be done about it, if anything at all. See Ava Paterson Werner's website, avawerner.com for more information and samples.

Exhibited at This piece reflects on local Brisbane topics and histories involving water. The footage is shot in public spaces around the city of Brisbane and combined with images from archives, museums, and historical references. While playing, a video camera was mounted on the top of the monitor. Patrons were welcome to take one hanging mixed media artwork by Ava Paterson Werner (see images below). Patrons were asked to record their perspectives on water in the video camera. An updated version of this video has been edited to include the narrative contributions about water recorded by Brisbane public participants. See Ava Paterson Werner's website, avawerner.com for more information and samples.

The footage and testimonies were recorded at Parihaka Pa, Taranaki New Zealand during the Scanz International Residency in 2018. Collage paintings inspired by local history and culture were created by Ava Paterson Werner and hung as an installation. Visitors could take one of the pieces and were asked to make personal comments about water and climate change. In this instance of the installation participants could also create their own collage paintings to hang in the space. See Ava Paterson Werner's website, avawerner.com for more information and samples.