Australian artist Jonathan Jones presents a segment of a Murray River Red Gum tree illuminated with electricity as part of the Parallel Collisions exhibition.
The red gum tree lies flat on the floor and the electricity appears to give the lifeless tree a life force and a ghostly effect. Jones said the light “represents hope – the ability to illuminate being akin to the ability to elucidate the past.”
The tree is an interesting object to observe as it has many meanings attached to it religiously and spiritually. Trees also have a place in myths and legends as places or objects of worship, and particularly as a connection between humans and the heavens or with the Universe. In many ancient cultures, trees were considered as symbols of life, power, wisdom and fertility.
In biblical texts, there are two trees that come to mind – The Tree of Knowledge and The Tree Of Life; the former which bore the fruits that were forbidden to be eaten, and the latter represents immortality. In Buddhism, the Buddha was sitting under a Bodhi tree when he attained enlightenment. My first thought was of the environment and the deforestation in developing countries, which clear forests to build homes for its growing population. Or in some cases, trees are chopped down for commercial purposes to make products for human consumption, leaving native animals without shelter or food.
I think the light makes the fallen tree on the floor appear to be a spectre of a tree from the past, as if warning us to be more aware and considerate for the environment as there may be nothing left for future generations to enjoy or experience.
Illuminated Tree art installation by Jonathan Jones. Image: Linh Chameleon
Illuminated Tree art installation by Jonathan Jones. Image: Linh Chameleon
Illuminated Tree art installation by Jonathan Jones. Image: Linh Chameleon
Australian artist Susan Jacobs presents a rectangular slab of bronze featuring snake drawings and a video accompanying the artwork which shows the drawing process as part of the Parallel Collisions exhibition.
Jacobs experiments with snake drawing, whereby she handles live snakes as they slither and slide through sand. She then casts the snake drawings into bronze.
Jacobs said the snake drawings allow for “considerations of fear to be given material form”. As Jacobs handled the live snakes, she may have felt fearful they might attack her, and the snakes also sense some fear as they slide along the sand. It seemed like these imprints were made from different snakes as there are inconsistencies within the drawings. Some of the imprints look curved and others straight, some with more depth than others and they all vary in length.
One exhibition visitor remarked: “It would have been more interesting if this (bronze slab) had snakes in it.” I disagreed with this observation, as the mark of fear is more interesting if we do not know who or what has created it. Fear is unseen but can be felt/sensed and experienced by humans and animals alike, therefore to not know what made the marks of fear can itself spark some form fear in us.
Snake Drawing by Susan Jacobs. Image: Linh Chameleon
Snake Drawing by Susan Jacobs. Image: Linh Chameleon
Snake Drawing by Susan Jacobs. Image: Linh Chameleon
Snake Drawing video by Susan Jacobs. Image: Linh Chameleon
Snake Drawing video by Susan Jacobs. Image: Linh Chameleon
I almost forgot about the Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art Exhibition called Parallel Collisions. Fortunately, I caught the final day of this exhibition. This exhibition showcases some of the best and bizarre works by Australian artists including paintings, photography, art installations, sculptures and audio/visual presentations. Parallel Collisions sounds contradictory but the artworks display both dischord and harmony unified as a whole. We are accustomed to seeing parallel lines that run side by side yet never meet, but in this exhibition, there are works that has the added dimension of time. This time factor enables things, that were once in a fixed place, to shift postions over time therefore causing a collision and gives new meanings to things over time.
Jump Up is a fascinating and very delicate artwork installation comprising of two thousand glass decanters, bowls, drinking glasses suspended by wires from the ceiling. From different angles, the installation can look like mountain ranges sparkling with icecaps or up-close it may appear like pieces of an intricately designed chandelier. This was designed by Nicholas Folland who was inspired by the idea of Atlantis, the lost mythical city that sunk deep into the ocean, when creating this artwork. He tried to capture the romance and intrigue of exploration, colonisation asscociated with the legend of Atlantis.
Artwork by Nicholas Folland. Image: Linh Chameleon
Artwork by Nicholas Folland. Image: Linh Chameleon
Artwork by Nicholas Folland. Image: Linh Chameleon
Artwork by Nicholas Folland. Image: Linh Chameleon
Promotional poster for Felicity Ward's latest comedy show The Hedgehog Dilemma. Image: www.laughingstock.com.au
Hedgehog Humour by Linh
Felicity Ward has endured loneliness, love, depression and alcoholism, but has risen above the emotional and mental mess thanks to her discovery and understanding of ‘The Hedgehog Dilemma’.
The hedgehog has been used by philosophers and psychoanalysts to explain the nature of human behaviour and social interaction in certain prickly situations, in particular ‘The Hedgehog Dilemma’.
In Ward’s case, this analogy forms the basis of her new hour-long show, unravelling the complexities of being in a long-term relationship. ‘The Hedgehog Dilemma’ derived from German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer’s analogy, which describes a situation where a group of hedgehogs have to come close to one another to share warmth during a cold winter. However, with sharp spines on their backs, they might hurt each other if they get too close. This is an analogy about the challenges of human intimacy between individuals in personal relationships. Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud later quoted Schopenhauer’s analogy in the footnote of an essay in 1921.
Ward utilises Schopenhauer’s analogy effectively and parallels her experiences in relationships with that of a hedgehog who avoids becoming too close or involved with someone, for fear of experiencing another possibly painful experience she endured in the past.
Ward expresses her hedgehog ways with references to her family members, former lovers and a hilarious session in therapy. She keeps the audience in curious awe with her quick change of clothes, possibly to reflect a moment of an ‘old self’ whom she has shed and left behind; a menagerie of animals including pandas, chameleons, echidnas, porcupines are shown on a large screen monitor in relation to how intimacy works in the animal kingdom; props that represent a turning point in her life and were catalysts for change.
Other highlights include a riotous song set to the tune of ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ from the musical Mary Poppins; the audience participation segment of how not to flirt and what to avoid saying when flirting.
The Hedgehog Dilemma is a show audiences can relate to, as many of us have been in relationships, experienced heartbreak and devastation in failed relationships and have come out of the experience feeling emotionally/mentally stronger if not wiser.
Ward is delightful, charming, and engaging with her share of relationship dilemmas, and her honesty brings on empathy as well as laughs. A highly entertaining and informative hour of laughs.
Felicity Ward co-stars in the latest film by Working Dog Productions called Any Questions For Ben? currently screening in cinemas.
Versatile, adaptable, dedicated, compassionate, empathetic, optimistic realist, music-literature-theatre-loving.
I have 1 dog (adopted), 2 cats (strays)
Favourite food is chocolate
You have a way with words... and a talent for drawing the pure emotions out of experiences.
Your poetry has the potential to make people laugh and cry at the same time. You just need to write it!
