Darwin Festival
Djalkiri: We are standing on their names Blue Mud Bay
From an extraordinary fusion of people, cultures and knowledge comes an exhibition that informs, inspires and promotes the sharing of scientific and traditional knowledge. In October 2009, Nomad Art Productions invited prominent artists from around Australia to join a cross-cultural exchange at Blue Mud Bay in Eastern Arnhem Land.
Yolngu artists worked alongside non-Indigenous artists together with a master printmaker, an ethnobiologist, an anthropologist and a photographer. Together they camped, cooked, shared stories and knowledge and created art. Students will learn as much from the journey of this exhibition as the exhibition itself in particular the ongoing learning that occurred as a result of the fusion of art with science.
Date: 31 July - 4 September
Time: Wed- Fri 4 - 13 Aug: 10am- 4pm
Mon - Fri 16 - 24 August: 10am- 5pm
Wed - Fri 25 - 27 August: 10am- 4pm
Sat: 10am- 2pm
Venue: 24 Hr Art, NT Centre for Contemporary Art, Vimy Lane, Parap
Book: FREE, for group bookings contact 24 Hr Art on 08 8981 5368
NT Curriculum Band: Band 4 and 5 Drama, Science, Art and SOSE. Stage One and Two Art, Drama, Science, SOSE,
Suitable for: Year 9 and Senior School Students
Possible Areas of Study: Visual Arts, Cross Cultural collaboration, Ecology, Manual Arts Practice
View full 2010 Schools Program
This initiative is supported by the Australian Government as part of National Science Week. Supported by the Myer Foundation
Background
Baniyala is the home of the Yithuwa Madarrpa people at Blue Mud Bay in Eastern Arnhem Land. In October 2009 Nomad Art Productions invited a group of artists from around Australia to take part in a cross-cultural exchange at a two way learning centre recently established at the community.
Yolgnu artists Djambawa Marawilli, Marrerra Marawili, Liyawaday Marawili, Marrnyula Munungurr and Mulkun Wirrpanda participated in the printmaking workshop with printmaker Basil Hall. They worked alongside visiting artists, Fiona Hall, John Wolseley, Jorg Schmeisser and Judy Watson and were accompanied by ethno-biologist Glenn Wightman, anthropologist Howard Morphy and photographer Peter Eve. Together they camped, cooked, walked the country, shared stories and made art.
The artists made trips to country visiting ancestral sites and sharing traditional and scientific knowledge. At night the group watched archival films depicting Yolgnu culture and looked at images of each other’s work. Around the campfire they discussed culture, history, sea rights and events.
In response each artist depicted the experience in their own way, thinking, observing, photographing and drawing one of the most pristine and culturally significant places in Australia.
Printmaker Basil Hall set up a temporary printmaking studio and images were translated onto zinc plates. The project will culminate in a selection of limited edition etchings which will be launched at the 2010 Darwin Festival.
Our thanks to the Sidney Myer Foundation, NT Research and Innovation Board, Arts NT, Australia Council for the Arts, Buku Larrnggay Mulka, Basil Hall Editions, the ANU Research School of Humanities, NRETAS, Stepwise, Indigenous Economic Development and the wonderful generosity and hospitality of Djambawa Marawili and the Baniyala Community.
The next stage involves the development of the print editions, a catalogue education material and exhibition.
Teachers Resources
Introduction
The Djalkiri Education Kit is a downloadable resource available online as pdf files to print as required. The Education Kit has been designed for students from upper primary to year 12 students and beyond to appreciate and enjoy the Djalkiri exhibition. The Education Kit presents pre and post visit activities and information appropriate to specific age levels, experience and abilities and can be developed as, or incorporated into a unit of work.
Contents
The Djalkiri Education Kit provides a range of enjoyable learning activities and background information for teachers. Activities and information can be downloaded in the following sections:
PROJECT NOTES
Background to the project, people and place
Click to Download
SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
Pre-visit activities
Post-visit activities
Click to Download
UPPER PRIMARY / SECONDARY
Visiting the exhibition
Click to Download
UPPER SECONDARY
Visiting the exhibition
Click to Download
