Sunday, January 04, 2009
THE COLORS OF AUSTRALIA
The colors of a continent
Find a country, any country, and chances are certain colors will come to mind, often repeated across vast vistas and icons. At first, I found it difficult to choose one iconic color 'story' amid so many rich and vaired offerings—for instance, would it be the luminous technicolor of the Great Barrier Reef or the brilliant glory of color on the wing? But, in truth, one reoccurring color blend rolls out across the country like a song building deep in the heart, a refrain which repeats itself in the indigenous rusts and red ochres, the grey-green of gum leaves, and rainforests hues. All the amazing rainbow wildlife aside, these are the hues that speak to me.
The aboriginals have always spoken in the color of the land. Their dreamtime imagery speaks of links between people and animals, spirit and earth. Aboriginal art, whether it be a sand painting or a pictograph, is often worked in raw ochres, whites and yellows, revealing how much an artist can really do with only a few colors.
I'm awed by the power of Aboriginal expression, am amazed by the swirl of color and pattern worked on wood or stone surfaces.
Aboriginal dreamtime colors
When I look out over a vast gum forest I see those same colors echoed in the landcape. ..
The red gum trees
...and I'm compelled to collect those hues and an Australian-inspired design brews in my head.
The colors adhere to my needles...
Posted by Jane on 01/04 at 02:19 AM
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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM 2009
My half of the world today, an enamelled world view
Here I am on the underside of the world looking up. From where I sit it is now New Years Day, officially 2009, and therefore I can finally claim to be ahead of my time. Why has it taken me so long? As for New Year's Eve, well, since I'm usually one of those moldering fogies who struggle to stay awake long enough to see 10:00, remaining awake until twelve seemed a bit of a stretch. In other words, forget midnight. Last night, however, was a glorious exception. Last night I took to the streets with thousands of my closest friends....
My buddies jostle for a prime seat
By early morning the natives had taken to the streets carrying 'eskies'(coolers), blankets and glowinthe dark accessories seeking a prime location for the night's events. The goal: to find a great spot to set up camp, a place with a perfect view of the harbour and where jovial frolicking can proceed uninhibited.
My two neices, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and hubby were not willing or able to stake our claim quite so early. Instead we joined the exodus towards the harbour after seven o'clock, steadly adding yet more bodies to the flow as we worked our way deeper and deeper into the throng. By dark, the streets were in full frolick throttle with mucho drinking and imbibing of various lubrications. Many natives dressed in interesting hats resembling inflated Sydney bridges and many more sported luminous headwear such as glowing horns or halos. My dress remained inconspicuous incognito.
Since this is one of Sydney's biggest events, nothing is done in half measures. Directors and artists are contracted to orchestrate these multiple layers of exploding firework frenzies that explode from barges in the harbour as well as the bridge with this year's theme being 'creation'. Fitting, yes? Even the rich and famous come in from all over the world to see the sight yet somehow we managed to miss Paris Hilton by staying amongst the masses.
We eventually located our camp site in the far corner behind the bridge where we could see 1/4 of the display but none of the barge pyrotechnics. Still.....wow. I truly gasped when the 12:00 finally hit its crescendo with multiple layers of exploding flowers, streamers, skydivers and comet tails all worked in fireworks. My own home fireworks now seem like matchstick sputterings by comparison. The picture below does not do the show justice. The boom, the dimensional fire of light and color all add to the reality of the moment. Had I not been too busy gasping and aweing, I might have taken better photos but hopefully the photos below give just the slightest hint.
Harbour View
Partial View
So how am I feeling today you ask, me who rarely sees the inside corner of 10:30? Well, tired, yes. Following the spectacular pyrotechnic storm, my buddies and I strolled along the Sydney streets towards our various abodes in a huge, body-packed stream. For many the party continued in good-natured, over the top cheer, that erupted into street dancing and general jolity.Not for me. The fact that my feet still worked was miracle enough.
I'm looking forward to this brave new year. Following the last, it can only be interesting and now, above all other eras, we must project positive visions into our futures.
Happy New Year everyone! May your knitting like your life be brave, creative, and satisfying. May your explorations take you further and deeper into what really matters.
Posted by Jane on 12/31 at 08:02 PM
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From the entry 'Wild, Mysterious Australia'.
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| By Christine Jones on 2008 12 28 |
