I had no concerns about 'Boxing Day' and my supervisor didn't either.
I had 2 images for easter from last week that I would have been happy with, but was keen on the 2nd, which was accepted with some advice to take the bunny out. i tried it with another bunny but it was best without. just it looked a bit empty in the centre so just duplicated a layer and split i, spacing out the elements.
Australia Day. I think it was agreed the Covid (postponed) wedding invitation worked best, but I will change the flower to an Australian indigenous one.
The Picnic at Hanging Rock I liked it because it insinuated the ignorance of the British, to come to this land and think they could tame it. And the sinister consequences. I got some links to a website / campaign 'Miranda must go'. I don't believe we are saying the same thing. And I also don't believe I am perpetuating the fascination with the same fictional history. Nor am I ignoring the indigenous history, or asking this to replace the PAHR story (although I think it should). I realise I made a mistake remembering it was a Valentines Day (another stupid day) instead of an Australia Day picnic. The campaign was obviously why it came up on my 'change the date' google search. THAT is what I was trying to say. There are consequences to every action. Do we want to take these on? Well, do so, at your own risk. Even if the consequence is simply being an ignorant, insensitive arsehole. But by using the image am I perpetuating it? Well, thats not the aim of any culture jammer. And certainly not Amy Spiers. However, if the meaning is not clear (primarily as it has been used to signify something vaguely similar....and I got the date wrong...hehe) it doesn't work.
Lastly I wanted to get my supervisors take on the truly horrific image of Indigenous humans in chains. Because it had made me angry. I wanted to know when to show the truth and when not to. Well, it's probably not a good idea if it is going to give others trauma. I wrote this down, not because I wouldnt be able to remember this but to include it here in my reflection. Hehe. I did learn when the meeting was over that, wow, I get so focused on my own feelings...does this work, etc I forgot to embody a bit of empathy. Or maybe it's just Covid. Over 6 months of living alone and working 7 days a week. Scary. But it does make me question why it is allowed to be out there for all to see. Do we get to see Australian prisoners of war shots like this. When some US senator (or politician) shot his brains out on TV (circa 1986) when I was working for ABC TV we didn't show that. Go figure.
We talked about the Artist Statement a bit. I was going to work on this Sunday, finish up the fixups and present 5 in review B next Thursday. This time in Semester feels really good. You know what you are doing, really organised and travelling well. There's only 4 weeks left!
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