Ten looking glasses
Ten looking glasses are a series of images exploring issues surrounding the "Batman Treaty" forged at Merri Creek on the sixth of June 1835. These images explore specifically the objects John Batman traded with the local Aboriginal leaders in return for the some 100 000 acres of land, including the current location of Melbourne. The objects included twelve red shirts, fifty knives and fifty pounds of flour. These objects have been arranged to represent natural forms and then photographed in an attempt indicate the meagreness of this trade. The objects are still very much identifiable. This emphasises that they are no substitute for what was really being given up. This speaks directly to differences in terms of beliefs about possession and ownership between the two cultures at the time. Western culture was and still is focussed on the land as something you can own whereas in my understanding indigenous culture has a far more spiritual, metaphysical and holistic relationship with the land.
Location - Let all men know that this is holy ground
In this weeks Contemporary class we discussed ideas surrounding location driven photography. Of the artists we discussed the work of Candida Höfer and Francis Alÿs particularly struck a chord with me. Their work got me thinking about shared experiences of spaces and the notion of 'culturally significant' space. It occurred that ideas of cultural, political and historic significance are almost entirely subjective. Something which may be considered of great significance to some may be overlooked by others.
Bearing this in mind I decided to investigate areas considered culturally significant to Melbourne's indigenous people. My aim was to discover what these places had become and what acknowledgement if any was given to the areas place in local indigenous culture. The Kings Domain came up in my research as a particularly pertinent example of the question of cultural hierarchy. In 1985 the skeletal remains of 38 indigenous Australians were buried at the Kings Domain after being returned from the Melbourne Museum where they had previously been exhibited. A memorial was established at the site and this burial undertaken as a tribute to all Victorian Aboriginals. Kings Domain is also home to the Government House, Myer music bowl, several monuments to former Kings and Queens and most notably Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.
Flat bed scanner where have you been my whole life
Here is some stuff I've made and never gotten around to scanning. I'm a little bit scared at how much I've taken to scanning. Seriously I would scan anything. Last week i even scanned a text message.
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I ♡ Nippon
I feel so terrible for the people of Japan. Such a beautiful, rich and inspiring country. From what I see in the Japanese people I have the privilege to know, theirs is a culture of incredible warmth but also incredible resilience. But I reckon its our responsibility as neighbours to do what we can. If anyone actually reads this blog they should all come to Hanami Festival earthquake benefit at yah yah's on Smith street from 2 onwards this sunday April 3rd. Featuring some of what i would argue are Melbourne's best local bands such as Panel of Judges and Scott and Charlene's Wedding. Go on come. Be good guys.
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