tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136229112024-03-16T12:11:50.132+11:00Thoughts are like fishesPassing interests + personal propagandaJason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comBlogger2027125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-60273441049054674042024-03-12T12:23:00.006+11:002024-03-12T12:24:06.048+11:00Are you being served?<p><b>David Henry Taylor recently returned to the counters at Taylor Brothers Store in Griffith Pioneer Park Museum</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGZoaceyId7k3c25ZJtFb3TRxw3rB46jdPiefyGXKRjjXc9iEDsodTb_msPeLY2fvs8Dd_kxJai5YtXudG-AlNRDZ5AxIuSk3hsw0mgXBShvo4-V-k2BbpbRDZmAl-3o9SloW1xJ-Vy1zJBH_k7DuE37SpAaGCzfGTZhY3rqst4-MLY6_p1j6/s701/dave%20taylor.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="526" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGZoaceyId7k3c25ZJtFb3TRxw3rB46jdPiefyGXKRjjXc9iEDsodTb_msPeLY2fvs8Dd_kxJai5YtXudG-AlNRDZ5AxIuSk3hsw0mgXBShvo4-V-k2BbpbRDZmAl-3o9SloW1xJ-Vy1zJBH_k7DuE37SpAaGCzfGTZhY3rqst4-MLY6_p1j6/w150-h200/dave%20taylor.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>This building is a replica of the first business in the main street displays many of the items that were sold during the early days in our city.<p></p><p>It's a reminder of the times before self-service supermarkets and a recent visitor shared their recollection of working downstairs to package stock for sale.</p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-56968052989919237672024-03-09T08:59:00.003+11:002024-03-10T07:05:31.548+11:00Avatar the latest story bender<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA7TAFZ_7W6svLUhsOUtvpeesTnhkuPMBWO5O90eAtfWpNcK9krfOvfmo_PodTx00EPm4gUbl0VCdRb7k46_ybc9hh1t7CMZw6-M3gC8pZVdb898FvwLu0vk5T5Z6FfO-FNbFX8jb1c9ahyphenhypheneAfmXnSMwETWxpu8kbOMeYSACd_ZdwOWPhEV6w/s850/your%20knees.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="828" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA7TAFZ_7W6svLUhsOUtvpeesTnhkuPMBWO5O90eAtfWpNcK9krfOvfmo_PodTx00EPm4gUbl0VCdRb7k46_ybc9hh1t7CMZw6-M3gC8pZVdb898FvwLu0vk5T5Z6FfO-FNbFX8jb1c9ahyphenhypheneAfmXnSMwETWxpu8kbOMeYSACd_ZdwOWPhEV6w/w195-h200/your%20knees.jpg" width="195" /></a></b></div><b>There's a lot to like about the live-action Netflix adaptation of The Last Airbender</b><br /><br />The show feels like a remix of the original cartoon story.<br /><br />It works for me in a way like the Zelda games all begin to blur as the story is retold over and over again.<br /><br />These days that deja vu-like telling is explained by a conceit like the multiverse, but I wonder if it hints at a Dreamtime sense that these things have always happened and will always happen.<br /><br />It might be that dramatic arc that's laid out with Sozin's comet and other celestial movements that accompany the arrival of the Avatar.<br /><br />The story always had a grandeur beyond the Nickelodeon format back when I first started watching the animated series with my firstborn son nearly two decades ago.<br /><br />I've revisited the series with successive children and there's been a pleasure in rediscovering the characters who populate the universe of the elemental kingdoms.<br /><br />My kids didn't take to the Netflix series but I thought the action sequences were a massive improvement on the animation.<br /><br />They bristled with sacrilege in the mergings of half-hour stories into the new hour-long episodes.<br /><br />Yet every reworking of the characters seemed to make sense within the grander scope of the live-action drama.<br /><br />At first the casting of Katara felt wrong and then I realised it made more sense for her to be closer to Aang's age.<br /><br />Likewise Uncle Iroh took a little getting used to but, in the subtle details like when he handled the game tile, I gained a new appreciation for the role of Pai Sho in the Order of the White Lotus.<br /><br />I didn't think I'd like the Netflix version after being horrified by the film version, yet now I want to see a seriousness taken with the political subplot in the Earth Kingdom.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBRlk06ziDC2g8htLJiBXKzPjvNAhoRLwHwR0QE3dROL49RgQXbE3_Nex76aNm43h3Yn_j46pnKgZoZ5UuT070SjB6cVHpkmcoCMwYobYIIW2AhzmJzfoumvMGMEMtuk01uSfdu2cRCWXNducM79QvYXuoHLCE-clWgQ38idGySufywrKEtOo/s1200/avatar%20netflix.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBRlk06ziDC2g8htLJiBXKzPjvNAhoRLwHwR0QE3dROL49RgQXbE3_Nex76aNm43h3Yn_j46pnKgZoZ5UuT070SjB6cVHpkmcoCMwYobYIIW2AhzmJzfoumvMGMEMtuk01uSfdu2cRCWXNducM79QvYXuoHLCE-clWgQ38idGySufywrKEtOo/w200-h113/avatar%20netflix.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>And now I want to see the Library in the desert fully realised and there are so many other stories that I can't wait to see retold. <br /><p></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-14771872448630171672024-03-08T06:26:00.003+11:002024-03-08T06:26:31.021+11:00Artist in Residence<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jccNtGT47wp0S6pbw2Fod2BVoixYHfdfOGv14RPJ92f4pmo3Wdfi73VQOxjsGXv_0rRbJl3Vhp9jaRcPct8lU_XuzRDi361RluV412XIrIgvjgtb9s3ZQ_SIx0R8LHKIaK_hx42M-S6oCEp9sdrTqROvnZUA24J5cnUNtYo7QW7dj9CWUZZ4/s452/airnsw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="408" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jccNtGT47wp0S6pbw2Fod2BVoixYHfdfOGv14RPJ92f4pmo3Wdfi73VQOxjsGXv_0rRbJl3Vhp9jaRcPct8lU_XuzRDi361RluV412XIrIgvjgtb9s3ZQ_SIx0R8LHKIaK_hx42M-S6oCEp9sdrTqROvnZUA24J5cnUNtYo7QW7dj9CWUZZ4/w181-h200/airnsw.jpg" width="181" /></a></div><b>It's great to share the fantastic news that I've been nominated by my peers as the <span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs xlh3980 xvmahel x1n0sxbx x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto">Artist in Residence for New South Wales in 2024</span></b><p></p><p><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs xlh3980 xvmahel x1n0sxbx x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"></span></p><blockquote><a href="https://www.facebook.com/herofukutu/posts/pfbid0bZsS61SZ7Tha6K2KLt45wu8BdTy97xN78SyrrdYPfv93einPr1LbwABCYhsA6NWUl">The Artist in Residence for NSW 2024 has been chosen and it is my pleasure to tell you it is Jason Richardson (Bassling) from Leeton. When told Jason wrote:<br />"It's an honour to be recognised by my peers with this title and I am wonder-filled with many thoughts and emotions, particularly those wondering questions that are known to punctuate the quiet moments in the life of a small town creative<br />"It prompts me to reflect on an observation from another regional artist, Stanislav Sharifullin, who said ..."it’s hard to stay professional when you’re surrounded by philistine stereotypes. People think you’re a weirdo if your happiness doesn’t depend on the size of your bank account. So you must have balls of steel to do arts. It’s not that bad if you have a few like-minded people around, though.”"<br />"I am grateful for those like-minded people and hope to raise the profile of all of our state's happy weirdos in 2024."<br />We look forward to seeing what Jason can do on his residency.</a></blockquote> <p></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-30801038543819018042024-03-07T08:43:00.005+11:002024-03-07T08:44:14.972+11:00Buy art<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7pUcfpipYKE8YTRPzi-992CRMcsFjyFyHLmjJ_EvKHCWZHzW2V2t45VIleEteOllSS1C-G9suoozaiU0QNzsdSKch1TYYDV-uM5D56IbpcjaY_XvU4e5FXeMntqSBnAeT-HB4XtBsDRIQli5JhgodxSjhORJml1YcuFe4r9bbeArtXGq_Bmg/s640/buy%20art.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="511" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7pUcfpipYKE8YTRPzi-992CRMcsFjyFyHLmjJ_EvKHCWZHzW2V2t45VIleEteOllSS1C-G9suoozaiU0QNzsdSKch1TYYDV-uM5D56IbpcjaY_XvU4e5FXeMntqSBnAeT-HB4XtBsDRIQli5JhgodxSjhORJml1YcuFe4r9bbeArtXGq_Bmg/w320-h400/buy%20art.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-89690557646735036942024-03-04T07:24:00.009+11:002024-03-04T13:50:42.519+11:00Meta won't save journalism<p><b>It seems ridiculous to expect Facebook to pay media companies for content that's published behind paywalls</b> <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMumoTyMkOx3AILsmZ3Alqz-2VWkROIeMgZpUNfGqwI4vwQfK_5YxARH-uJHMbmn17R3KKIDvuK3-dKIs2XonZ5PUw-969dmut_-dOdZwJKUifloa65i22058JsxyabXHg1jV8iaxMWZXNIXTdt7B8BeFevan-oTIzJlhJ8eWe6gK3XQj6b1Qo/s1001/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-04%20at%207.14.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1001" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMumoTyMkOx3AILsmZ3Alqz-2VWkROIeMgZpUNfGqwI4vwQfK_5YxARH-uJHMbmn17R3KKIDvuK3-dKIs2XonZ5PUw-969dmut_-dOdZwJKUifloa65i22058JsxyabXHg1jV8iaxMWZXNIXTdt7B8BeFevan-oTIzJlhJ8eWe6gK3XQj6b1Qo/w200-h120/Screen%20Shot%202024-03-04%20at%207.14.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I can understand the importance of news organisations but most of the commercial ones are just republishing PR and media releases anyway.<p></p><p>Meta were stupid for giving money to them, since now every other government are asking for millions to pay for media companies that couldn't make the leap to a new paradigm.</p><p>When classifieds went online, the business model for journalism broke.</p><p>It's a serious concern for democracies and evident that no one is watching some areas of government.</p><p>Yet you've got to wonder if that's any of Facebook's business? </p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-51164905632040405502024-03-01T12:05:00.014+11:002024-03-02T08:06:21.508+11:00Everything exists in history<p><b>As I neared the end of my first degree, it became obvious that I'd missed an opportunity</b><br /><br />Many of my friends at ANU were majoring in History and I began to realise the scope it provides.<br /><br />My favourite major at the time was Cultural Studies (it was the 1990s!) and that subject was liberating for the breadth of analyses and interests, yet history encompasses all subjects.<br /><br />"Everything exists in history," I said to my mates and it's a realisation that few seem to have noted.</p><p></p><p>(I recently googled the phrase and there was only one mention other than <a href="http://showcasejase.blogspot.com/2019/06/passage-of-time.html">my own.)</a><br /><br />Now that I work within a museum, I often wonder why more institutions don't act on the opportunities available to reflect this broad scope.<br /><br />So yesterday I took the opportunity to present the Southern NSW Heritage Group with a survey of creative projects from around our region.</p><p></p><p>These are public outcomes that engage with history in various media, both inside and outside of museums.<br /><br />I began with some context by outlining my background and interests, particularly a key lesson from my career working in public relations that human interest stories are effective and often affecting.<br /><br />A lot of my work as a curator at Griffith Pioneer Park Museum involves putting a human face on history.<br /><br />People can't help but look for faces and it will often bring into focus experiences as a way of giving context for an item.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZf8fJKLOPptPtlS3JVryCkmv60Ahqj_Y1UDsKmQ1irP2h4L2Izh2zXe_kKr_dp7mXTNK_un0T3ByesoRR5kdkNzKhRO3WuOvzKlBZIxzy1O9mc-c51uHYREgWns6IDlU1fFfJg-e0Zpjr9QDdWdBFDtcjj_LCngAk9TWT-HG8M6uzXdftNF_/s2105/c%20everything%20exists%20in%20history3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="2105" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZf8fJKLOPptPtlS3JVryCkmv60Ahqj_Y1UDsKmQ1irP2h4L2Izh2zXe_kKr_dp7mXTNK_un0T3ByesoRR5kdkNzKhRO3WuOvzKlBZIxzy1O9mc-c51uHYREgWns6IDlU1fFfJg-e0Zpjr9QDdWdBFDtcjj_LCngAk9TWT-HG8M6uzXdftNF_/w200-h141/c%20everything%20exists%20in%20history3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>My curating role is part-time and I shared with the Group that I consider myself a full-time creative who has achieved some recent success in writing.<br /><br />This includes poetry and it's a style that provides an example of how writing in museums could be done differently.<br /><br />There are many layers of meaning available in poetry and I often think back to this <a href="http://bassling.blogspot.com/2013/07/harrison-young-on-poetry.html">quote from Harrison Young.</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHLxu6ILHY3pH4ymrkcbmBA4mHUuYcysrRwMWdnHyOvCgQCIU9raAvZUQ3VQ9CMJ3TTK0EzSue7p4zYirA0yZ5q6LrY7mhW9VJVahlcSzw-dW-uS4m46iYW_MpPvukLVj1nTmh6q0CrkMQd-ZHnHgQ7-dUaqxaAB_b33re4taEoWuwAAbOjpT/s2048/harrison%20young.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHLxu6ILHY3pH4ymrkcbmBA4mHUuYcysrRwMWdnHyOvCgQCIU9raAvZUQ3VQ9CMJ3TTK0EzSue7p4zYirA0yZ5q6LrY7mhW9VJVahlcSzw-dW-uS4m46iYW_MpPvukLVj1nTmh6q0CrkMQd-ZHnHgQ7-dUaqxaAB_b33re4taEoWuwAAbOjpT/w200-h141/harrison%20young.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p>(As an aside I noted that not many people have heard of Mr Young, who left the Board of the Commonwealth Bank and no longer gets mentioned in the Australian Financial Review for writing erotic fiction. I think the latter is great because everyone should have a creative outlet!)<br /><br /> </p><p>One project that brought creative writing to regional museums was the <a href="http://showcasejase.blogspot.com/2023/06/encounters.html">Encounters</a> program run by Orana Arts.<br /><br />They recruited a group who were mentored by Ruth Little to produce a book that includes a range of styles, from an essay to poetry.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDze9ehqYanY2NnYrXBks95drybQIbhBngPbfaXQ72QO5uRgju5nGK348QGXMrE6GvdHcJJiGhpkPBbEd8a4sO_eu6h1r1FbMWqANY6UFjpnElBcThEzeLCkxDVEBsyU5H5EEGR1cf3xjgsrEL_6sbFvqaK6Z3zbtYS-B306RODG-CGQ94LOYb/s4624/encounters%20workshop.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDze9ehqYanY2NnYrXBks95drybQIbhBngPbfaXQ72QO5uRgju5nGK348QGXMrE6GvdHcJJiGhpkPBbEd8a4sO_eu6h1r1FbMWqANY6UFjpnElBcThEzeLCkxDVEBsyU5H5EEGR1cf3xjgsrEL_6sbFvqaK6Z3zbtYS-B306RODG-CGQ94LOYb/w200-h150/encounters%20workshop.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p>Ruth crammed a huge number of consideratons into our heads during a two-day workshop at Port Macquarie and the photo shown here was taken by project coordinator Andrew Glassop.<br /><br />I thought it would be easy to write about Pioneer Park, having worked there for a couple of years, and my creative non-fiction piece led me back into the role of curator.<br /><br />Another project I shared was <a href="http://showcasejase.blogspot.com/2023/03/leeton-memories-brings-colour-to-history.html">Leeton Memories,</a> which I developed for the not-for-profit organisation <a href="https://ree.org.au/">Red Earth Ecology.</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgealizlwNU71x1NWsjpYNMhGaXQuWiw4PcX-RQZ2F29hv0O2r8U5Wz33s5hbt3cs83ciw5oSU_hCrH9VlzanxkTo7GbW_35qLO-3xSIgMcD-xsv2CQ2R9tqRVGuJWg1hysulrv71pza0za1dWUtjbivCMEccUsrC_644Nw2OgDGz4jNAzPI_3h/s2105/h%20everything%20exists%20in%20history8.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="2105" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgealizlwNU71x1NWsjpYNMhGaXQuWiw4PcX-RQZ2F29hv0O2r8U5Wz33s5hbt3cs83ciw5oSU_hCrH9VlzanxkTo7GbW_35qLO-3xSIgMcD-xsv2CQ2R9tqRVGuJWg1hysulrv71pza0za1dWUtjbivCMEccUsrC_644Nw2OgDGz4jNAzPI_3h/w200-h141/h%20everything%20exists%20in%20history8.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We commissioned a series of oral history recordings and recruited Leeton-based artists (and writers) to interpret the conversations as displays in the local community op shop windows, which have an excellent location on the main street of town and faces the zebra crossing.<p></p><p>Shown here is Cynthia Arel, better known for her work as a designer for stage and screen, who interpreted the memories of Julie Maytom.<br /></p><p>You can sorta see the sign in the lower left-hand corner that showed the QR code which linked to the recording of Julie.</p><p><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1533425656&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe></p><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, Lucida Grande, Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Sans, Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: 100; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/red-earth-ecology" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Red Earth Ecology">Red Earth Ecology</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/red-earth-ecology/julie-maytoms-leeton-memories" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Julie Maytom's Leeton Memories">Julie Maytom's Leeton Memories</a></div><p></p>
<p>I was surprised how often I'd pass the Leeton Memories displays and find people were listening to the recordings at these links, but it's clear that audiences are more familiar with this technology since COVID-19.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8muEWERirJMxBv7EybQHmWuCEkqFpBOyu-YdpZy71z3CPxSmJvW8h7ls5yHRXr-t1WsANPlc3opxcPxm5NOddptD30rpCRex4PkvupcSDBijV8o3v8pI-EIt1X8R9HjBNod5sjuODGVk1ZlnKKSRNSuiIEPQqU-5E6EKeIE4M7LsOeULqWzu/s2105/k%20everything%20exists%20in%20history11.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="2105" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8muEWERirJMxBv7EybQHmWuCEkqFpBOyu-YdpZy71z3CPxSmJvW8h7ls5yHRXr-t1WsANPlc3opxcPxm5NOddptD30rpCRex4PkvupcSDBijV8o3v8pI-EIt1X8R9HjBNod5sjuODGVk1ZlnKKSRNSuiIEPQqU-5E6EKeIE4M7LsOeULqWzu/w200-h141/k%20everything%20exists%20in%20history11.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>One other example of an artist working with local history is the work by my partner Jo Roberts called <a href="http://showcasejase.blogspot.com/2019/10/geographology.html">"Geo/graphology,"</a> which was part of the <a href="http://showcasejase.blogspot.com/search/label/Ngurambang">Ngurambang exhibition at Griffith Regional Art Gallery</a> last year.<br /><br />This used the <a href="http://showcasejase.blogspot.com/search/label/cut-up">Cut-up Technique</a> to investigate hidden histories, providing an interactive exhibit that blurred the line between artist and audience while gently questioning perspectives.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QqriZoFTP8plUbx5haORoZeEczvO0hhCpsH6L-R2zRSayOq4N2fPf41vw0Fv7Bfv7RHV6Q8e9FtDQh5Hv6YVb1C3B0oSzbk-_AvG3ZAceN8nLydrpwlLHVx3kYFpHI1z9GCPwlO4gp65GWna8Jbo6X9W-pSIn4_HZ_WnHWbeAk6eX5BsZ7La/s2105/m%20everything%20exists%20in%20history13.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="2105" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QqriZoFTP8plUbx5haORoZeEczvO0hhCpsH6L-R2zRSayOq4N2fPf41vw0Fv7Bfv7RHV6Q8e9FtDQh5Hv6YVb1C3B0oSzbk-_AvG3ZAceN8nLydrpwlLHVx3kYFpHI1z9GCPwlO4gp65GWna8Jbo6X9W-pSIn4_HZ_WnHWbeAk6eX5BsZ7La/w200-h141/m%20everything%20exists%20in%20history13.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I gave couple of examples from my work at Pioneer Park, such as the current exhibition based around <a href="http://showcasejase.blogspot.com/2023/07/something-fishy.html">Gugabul</a> and my 2016 photographic exhibition to celebrate the Museum's 45th anniversary.<br /><p></p><p>The latter presented images from the past in the present day locations around the Park's grounds and coincided with Griffith's centenary celebrations.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XKRMaVXVa8KsLg7ZI-M95aegbZCeHrHVK9VvGa-EKM6AXP-nwoMnulfogFbjUTkQxzyIiXbgvTOK-B5gE4e4jel-khm-cnLuh-NYgn9Jc1G-UAC_8dS3SJJJd1UgkvBXQitgcGbu71vHskvmpJRMj-ZIQt2vlCptksbkdg7vKSIhrXjnJE2M/s2105/n%20everything%20exists%20in%20history14.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="2105" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XKRMaVXVa8KsLg7ZI-M95aegbZCeHrHVK9VvGa-EKM6AXP-nwoMnulfogFbjUTkQxzyIiXbgvTOK-B5gE4e4jel-khm-cnLuh-NYgn9Jc1G-UAC_8dS3SJJJd1UgkvBXQitgcGbu71vHskvmpJRMj-ZIQt2vlCptksbkdg7vKSIhrXjnJE2M/w200-h141/n%20everything%20exists%20in%20history14.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>To conclude my presentation I gave a couple of examples from museums in our region, including the "Old is New..." project recently run by The Cad Factory at the Parkside Museum in Narrandera and the "Old:New" exhibition curated by Kate Allman at the Museum of the Riverina in 2020.<br /><br />Kate made an observation that it can be a challenge for museums to engage audiences:<p></p><p></p><blockquote><a href="https://news.wagga.nsw.gov.au/news-articles/2020/september-2020/oldnew-a-new-perspective-on-some-pieces-of-riverina-history">“Maybe we read a little about it and think about that object’s place in history but putting an artist’s perspective on it adds a different layer.<br /><br />“It can make us think about some deeper themes, some deeper connections to history, and I think that’s what this exhibition does through the stories it tells us.”</a></blockquote><p>It was fortuitous that on the morning of my presentation I read that <a href="https://www.vox.com/even-better/24071171/how-to-look-at-art">people will spend "around 27 seconds" reading the information accompanying an exhibit.</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO_SQGqCM-ItvKaKRSzLgVuDWsqbkpS3ep5FapIB2Ey5WwAT0apigb9vyLCPCBjlbOTXRmzhYRZqVbHnf1j5mULGCFNLLYJ3KLANghPenXE0SMTWHHjSS__6UE1wqk54VMN6pD09M-yipyMHUPRbnN0xxzA5o90x5zUgO26NvtVUfkCc9nX8_/s2105/q%20everything%20exists%20in%20history17.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="2105" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO_SQGqCM-ItvKaKRSzLgVuDWsqbkpS3ep5FapIB2Ey5WwAT0apigb9vyLCPCBjlbOTXRmzhYRZqVbHnf1j5mULGCFNLLYJ3KLANghPenXE0SMTWHHjSS__6UE1wqk54VMN6pD09M-yipyMHUPRbnN0xxzA5o90x5zUgO26NvtVUfkCc9nX8_/s320/q%20everything%20exists%20in%20history17.jpg" width="320" /></a> And it was wonderful to be introduced at that time to this <a href="https://www.openculture.com/2016/06/how-to-look-at-art-a-short-visual-guide-by-cartoonist-lynda-barry.html">cartoon by Lynda Barry</a> that I quickly incorporated to conclude my presentation.<br /></div><p>I think it shows a connection that can be rewarding when visiting an exhibition and believe this is something that curators should aspire to achieve.</p><p>There were lots of questions afterwards and I had an opportunity to tell the crowd from regional museums to "embrace the freak" when a weirdo like me comes along with an idea.</p><p>And, any artists reading this, please consider reaching out to your local history group as you might find it advantageous to have the support of an incorporated community group when preparing a funding application.<br /></p><p></p><p></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-57465821452005671582024-03-01T00:30:00.001+11:002024-03-01T00:30:00.382+11:00I'd rather knot<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_RlqKZcMkAmHzT4bArR8MRQ4eZrAgdWxLHAwyLeAql3FmYU0TtdLfoxlU5Ma42Ij7SJbMnK5-zm8rJ-Z6Fuhxgj6T_z9rx6IqJWoAM0gJlAfu9AYDd8xT9Fq0ELFXGIUKxw9QRLLBamvAYrYLG5zwV2W2ROPrCIZWDv-J9_y4nHQnvFucVyU/s4359/rather%20knot%20by%20jason%20richardson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2888" data-original-width="4359" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq_RlqKZcMkAmHzT4bArR8MRQ4eZrAgdWxLHAwyLeAql3FmYU0TtdLfoxlU5Ma42Ij7SJbMnK5-zm8rJ-Z6Fuhxgj6T_z9rx6IqJWoAM0gJlAfu9AYDd8xT9Fq0ELFXGIUKxw9QRLLBamvAYrYLG5zwV2W2ROPrCIZWDv-J9_y4nHQnvFucVyU/s320/rather%20knot%20by%20jason%20richardson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Spotted this old-fashioned fencework outside Stuart Town</b><p></p><p>It was outside a house that appeared to be a wattle and daub construction, so probably old as well as old-fashioned.<br /> </p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-87017463095828135702024-02-25T11:12:00.006+11:002024-02-26T18:18:26.780+11:00Birdlife at the Museum<div><b>One of the things that surprises me most about working in Griffith is the variety of birds</b></div><div><br /></div><div>As someone who grew up among the Brindabellas, there's a deep sense of satisfaction about seeing the hills rise around me on the drive to work.</div><div><br /></div><div>It starts with three gentle crests along Irrigation Way after one turns north past Whitton.</div><div><br /></div><div>Scenic Hill is another of these increasing landmarks and from there I can see they become mountains like Binya, Bingar and Brogden in the nearby Cocoparra National Park.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Griffith Pioneer Park Museum's grounds on the Hill feature a mix of older grey box trees and younger cypress pines, which provide shade for the gardens maintained by a group of volunteers.</div><div><br /></div><div>On these branches and among the flower beds I get glimpses of communities of birds.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's a family of magpies and over recent months I've watched as they teach an offspring to be wary of me.</div><div><a href="https://shotwildlife.blogspot.com/2016/04/ringneck-parrot.html"><br /></a></div><div><a href="https://shotwildlife.blogspot.com/2016/04/ringneck-parrot.html">Mallee ringneck parrots</a> have also been breeding and they used a hollow in the grey box near the Goolgowi Train Station for a while.</div><div><br /></div><div>Earlier this year I observed a parent showing their bird where to find a meal from a succulent, which might've been a pigface.</div><div><br /></div><div>In previous years a college of noisy <a href="https://shotwildlife.blogspot.com/2015/10/apostlebird.html">apostle</a> birds could be heard making a mess by tearing off plant limbs.</div><div><br /></div><div>This season might be the first that the Museum has been visited by <a href="https://shotwildlife.blogspot.com/2024/02/more-babbler.html">white-browed babblers.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>My manager Jenny reckons she'd never seen them at Pioneer Park before and it was good to have assistance from Jo and her bird books to identify them.</div><div><br /></div><div>These babblers seem to share their call with the grey-crowned variety, which Wikipedia notes has earned them names like dog-bird, barker and barking-bird.</div><div><br /></div><div>They will share a cute "ruff" sound excitedly with each other, so I found myself describing it as a canine-esque noise.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can hear it in this short video I made when a babbler got lost in the Wine & Irrigation Museum building </div><div> </div>
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<div><br /></div><div>Another recent observation was a trio of <a href="https://shotwildlife.blogspot.com/2024/02/tawny-frogmouths.html">tawny frogmouths</a> sitting in a cypress pine near the Griffith Hospital building.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's great to see such a variety of birds and so different to those at home in Leeton, although I'm often frustrated by my inability to get a good photo using the mobile phone supplied by Council.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, this iphone has been great for recording my duets with pied butcherbirds. </div><div> </div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="236" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3Ynrs7DpdWg?si=fs2jwULT_jCdN3a8" title="YouTube video player" width="420"></iframe><br />
<div><br /></div><div>You can see more of my photos at <a href="https://shotwildlife.blogspot.com/">https://shotwildlife.blogspot.com/</a></div><p> </p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-50482466991288636262024-02-20T06:13:00.001+11:002024-02-20T06:13:41.744+11:00Ducks in a row<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPMk0UTblwZ333QXZpLLy0UazxU0h1G3P68KG5eLwjw2IYQMrlMxJ9wqywyNt1t2fBmmuzSldFiFsWX6Qn08tIrlaktqBYURwAgVdOk58QpGktdDvrF6D0Y8_E6l17eCahaJdo5E_bdyqaaVJ8qht8ZSdMHTmlzPVfyaiWI_MGRF-RaEkXmbL/s460/ducks-in-a-row.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="460" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPMk0UTblwZ333QXZpLLy0UazxU0h1G3P68KG5eLwjw2IYQMrlMxJ9wqywyNt1t2fBmmuzSldFiFsWX6Qn08tIrlaktqBYURwAgVdOk58QpGktdDvrF6D0Y8_E6l17eCahaJdo5E_bdyqaaVJ8qht8ZSdMHTmlzPVfyaiWI_MGRF-RaEkXmbL/w200-h120/ducks-in-a-row.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></div><b>"Ducks in a row means having everything well-organized or fully prepared before taking on a project or anything else."</b><p></p><p>A friend pointed out the ducks' shadows seem off and it prompted me to observe that sometimes the ducks appear in a row, but sometimes it's an illusion. </p><p>Sometimes things are a lot worse than they appear.<br /></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-2502536131931147032024-02-11T15:04:00.001+11:002024-02-11T15:04:03.139+11:00FM3 Buddha Machine<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuFmGBZd65TeQEcu7qAfUWyeKec3o37NP4ApM6Cbdu7ovKxXFPiaPyM8DtJItj3S1fcyK0SjSDyPqllVmk8xC2l5-iRUFoZmMmDkcC4T_EN0KeTlBP4pqBvClKV1n8S6qJQzBJUFBoYJFvP4AbIHax4eaBDfKpGw5z39oofzfxsF_0Fts6rFl/s347/buddha-machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="338" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuFmGBZd65TeQEcu7qAfUWyeKec3o37NP4ApM6Cbdu7ovKxXFPiaPyM8DtJItj3S1fcyK0SjSDyPqllVmk8xC2l5-iRUFoZmMmDkcC4T_EN0KeTlBP4pqBvClKV1n8S6qJQzBJUFBoYJFvP4AbIHax4eaBDfKpGw5z39oofzfxsF_0Fts6rFl/w195-h200/buddha-machine.jpg" width="195" /></a></b></div><b>I've had a couple of these machines and they proved most useful when
trying to sleep at Burning Man's regional events in Australia</b><br /><br />You
can probably guess how the soothing drones from a couple of Buddha
Machines will interact and help with sleep when confronted with multiple
sound systems shaking the earth and vibrating air molecules.<br /><br />One of the best lessons my father taught me was to put on a radio when nights were too noisy to sleep.<br /><p></p><div>The
FM3 loops provided a sound to focus on, rather than having my ear
wandering the paddock and becoming annoyed by the sound systems that
drift in and out of time and gratingly never agree on a musical key.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was surprising how well my partner and I slept as the ground rumbled and people partied through the night.</div><div><br /></div><div>I ended up buying one for my mother out-law and she used it to sleep on her travels.</div><div><br /></div><div>The
latter editions of the FM3 Buddha Machine had the advantage of being
louder and adjusting pitch, but mine didn't seem as robust as the
earlier model.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm hoping to buy a replacement whenever they are stocked in Australia again.</div><p> </p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-76802548760524314932024-02-09T15:38:00.004+11:002024-02-09T15:38:33.395+11:00Rotating<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3lPFKwQjdLGMJiYd5UrTkA7pnnHNsUcwOGhCzihyphenhyphenPg4jbPOuNsqM7Uh7e8lpNo3ndGGOUPU_hwEy53MsnaioENgUtpjiAZRm_9c3SWQBuq_6rxHohcqBOxHwylrYtOA315KyrCTGdkirpb8DhF5YVQI9zdTkqMxkgtQO3Ilp2B9jSwAiyhg3/s701/rotary-2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="526" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3lPFKwQjdLGMJiYd5UrTkA7pnnHNsUcwOGhCzihyphenhyphenPg4jbPOuNsqM7Uh7e8lpNo3ndGGOUPU_hwEy53MsnaioENgUtpjiAZRm_9c3SWQBuq_6rxHohcqBOxHwylrYtOA315KyrCTGdkirpb8DhF5YVQI9zdTkqMxkgtQO3Ilp2B9jSwAiyhg3/w150-h200/rotary-2024.jpg" width="150" /></a></b></div><b>This week I was invited to speak with Yenda's Rotary Club and outlined how my background as a writer and artist informs my work at Griffith Pioneer Park Museum</b><p></p><p>It was good to share a meal with the group and encourage them to be part of the Museum's Action Day event on Good Friday.</p><p>(They seemed a bit deflated when I said the Lions Club look after the sausage sizzle!)<br /></p><p>It was an engagement that followed from talking at an event celebrating the centenary of Rotary's sister organisaton Inner Wheel last month, although at that one they asked I discuss Griffith in the 1920s. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMpqCloIDZJKYhtVK5Vl-_j552wI01ILshLkzLgOygB1dKbPXwefdpai4i3ysEDuJsC8NiZrEJiPE6X2OQk5G6zUrFh7rsF4Qjbua1v_TMM1BX4ofOxu4BsDyae1Lri867vFN_BtqFpwDUmCFRAjMdAZ-2zLc9IkLqial8xTtxy1QLmkuFVlS/s817/rotary-2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="817" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMpqCloIDZJKYhtVK5Vl-_j552wI01ILshLkzLgOygB1dKbPXwefdpai4i3ysEDuJsC8NiZrEJiPE6X2OQk5G6zUrFh7rsF4Qjbua1v_TMM1BX4ofOxu4BsDyae1Lri867vFN_BtqFpwDUmCFRAjMdAZ-2zLc9IkLqial8xTtxy1QLmkuFVlS/w200-h133/rotary-2017.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Today I was surprised to see in my Facebook Memories that I spoke with Griffith East Rotary Club seven years ago.<p></p><p>There have been a series of events that make me feel as though I'm returning to events from 2017 through returning to the role of Curator at the Museum.</p><p>As the song says, "it's all just a little bit of History repeating"!<br /></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-49834304092925804622024-02-05T06:39:00.000+11:002024-02-05T06:39:04.680+11:00Uncle Michael<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8JwID9UmhPJTbClz8NzCVrynF2nRGR0csMblG2SKMEhJc0i2c-YRZcU8GSnmoRv-gCW2-3V6yF0Hyz7dK1kLM2a-pMXwLr1WZkd5CziutxBa8B3oeTuujcSdbOphuHETwKjBHoVj9jkx-m-3x2npJszra_PwR4LteCsRZ1fBpzHNPTSySnKc/s815/michael%20lyons%20of%20sandhill%20artefacts%20by%20jason%20richardson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="815" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8JwID9UmhPJTbClz8NzCVrynF2nRGR0csMblG2SKMEhJc0i2c-YRZcU8GSnmoRv-gCW2-3V6yF0Hyz7dK1kLM2a-pMXwLr1WZkd5CziutxBa8B3oeTuujcSdbOphuHETwKjBHoVj9jkx-m-3x2npJszra_PwR4LteCsRZ1fBpzHNPTSySnKc/w400-h265/michael%20lyons%20of%20sandhill%20artefacts%20by%20jason%20richardson.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-88131703033835068932024-01-30T19:05:00.005+11:002024-01-30T19:05:56.686+11:00Just the tip<iframe width="420" height="236" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DihzcEneIgk?si=j7AD04PIPTp5s5Ad" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-50517898479302527432024-01-26T17:24:00.004+11:002024-01-30T19:07:43.354+11:00Invasion of Australia Day<p><b>Thirty years ago the 26 January became a public holiday</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUenCaDxwRXFu8KQQFpZKRQckJS7pntEcNhg2BR1-fXsyzLC_JTcHg5a1Io-FDd1nkK1WVEbYhbq21-AKn0KFcbuS8BStQK5nuIFo2gNPXxEDoSwcEHz7-zsB8_HGRg_aRiBraZhs-5xZQi9cTZhXBBIsz_pHYGhslmmQWv40kJOHdRblwPPuh/s720/bigdayoutticket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="720" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUenCaDxwRXFu8KQQFpZKRQckJS7pntEcNhg2BR1-fXsyzLC_JTcHg5a1Io-FDd1nkK1WVEbYhbq21-AKn0KFcbuS8BStQK5nuIFo2gNPXxEDoSwcEHz7-zsB8_HGRg_aRiBraZhs-5xZQi9cTZhXBBIsz_pHYGhslmmQWv40kJOHdRblwPPuh/w200-h145/bigdayoutticket.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>It was an awesome moment for an entirely different reason and that was the incredible line-up at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Day_Out_lineups_by_year#1994">Big Day Out concert in Sydney!</a><p></p><p>In recent years the celebration of Australia Day has been met with increasing recognition that the continent had owners prior to becoming a British colony.</p><p>Today I'm pondering if Australia Day would be called Invasion Day regardless of the date because the question of sovereignty remains unanswered.</p><p>I believe it's this question that was not satisfactorily addressed in the referendum last year, as many First Nations weren't assured that legal recognition in the Australian Constitution was tantamount to accepting the legitimacy of the document and undermining the need for treaties.</p><p>My recollection is the increased funding for Australia Day events saw a rise in patriotism.</p><p>Over the years the Big Day Out began to be characterised by people wearing the Australian flag like a cape, for example.<br /></p><p>I seem to remember that was one reason given by the concert organisers to hold the event on a different day, but it had also grown to be two concerts in Sydney.</p><p><a href="https://showcasejase.blogspot.com/2013/06/into-black.html">As the population of Australia increasingly recognises a First Nations identity,</a> I expect the question of sovereignty will become louder.</p><p>There is a need for our country to reconcile the national narrative, but it will always mean different things to different people.</p><p>For me it always was and always will be...<br /></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-90959354500642844872024-01-21T10:23:00.001+11:002024-01-21T10:23:09.420+11:00Stay out of trouble<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDZ77fVrKPQwY46_5xILDE5corExyBC2yi7ayKJ76kC6RX90VYgJwSXr2G0fee8EtGwxPMg8sDDq7WUB1cMgEyXs7sOG6Uoq2-2bTHPBIKNzzmfX46U43M1GHt61Mcy53aLYN97L7PMAQH-o5Li3GC7byc7RPiBZCf3DqIwprOwU1D-s915YI/s640/robocop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDZ77fVrKPQwY46_5xILDE5corExyBC2yi7ayKJ76kC6RX90VYgJwSXr2G0fee8EtGwxPMg8sDDq7WUB1cMgEyXs7sOG6Uoq2-2bTHPBIKNzzmfX46U43M1GHt61Mcy53aLYN97L7PMAQH-o5Li3GC7byc7RPiBZCf3DqIwprOwU1D-s915YI/s320/robocop.jpg" width="256" /></a></b></div><b>RoboCop was one of my obsessions in high school </b><p></p><p>While I can appreciate the sentiment here, his original advice to "Stay out of trouble" should cover such simple activities as those stated here.</p><p>Anyway, now I should go wash the dishes so that I can cook lunch!<br /></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-5459437206884661472024-01-21T10:17:00.003+11:002024-01-21T10:17:48.004+11:00Heavens opened<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4vR78t0t4DGzo4GV65IF9ODe0ohw8gP9nfUeO3eniR3t6mX5zQiLYuU55e0QNls6VeIqx5hvCN7EPTdGpueUkH7vxrFaHCJpM1n8Mxp73pgPELqBFDJGSAgy38N1DnAXbWQiRMzgjv2cMvH1dOyaFZYB7VplleZm_dzsVXojdtJrJ_zBpube/s526/goatse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4vR78t0t4DGzo4GV65IF9ODe0ohw8gP9nfUeO3eniR3t6mX5zQiLYuU55e0QNls6VeIqx5hvCN7EPTdGpueUkH7vxrFaHCJpM1n8Mxp73pgPELqBFDJGSAgy38N1DnAXbWQiRMzgjv2cMvH1dOyaFZYB7VplleZm_dzsVXojdtJrJ_zBpube/s320/goatse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-40052990915588361312024-01-21T10:16:00.001+11:002024-01-21T10:16:23.530+11:00Jason Richardson artist bio<p><b>Late last year I was asked for an artist bio and must've been feeling like a smartarse, as I wrote:</b> <br /></p><p></p><blockquote>In the year 2023, Australia is a totalitarian state where the favourite television program is “Married At First Sight” -- a game show in which a group of strangers participate in a social experiment and are forced together by experts. The idea is rapidly applied to other media and group exhibitions, team sports, compilations and anthologies abound. <br />Having been described as an interdisciplinary artist for his restless imagination and inability to stick with one medium, the textual deviant Jason Richardson is maligned as a poet through refusing to use punctuation. Although artists have little opportunity for being employed, he takes the chance to propagate ideas by accepting deadlines and produces strange passive sentences while dreaming of escape from Leeton.</blockquote><p></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-21733003729338214732024-01-03T06:46:00.009+11:002024-01-03T06:47:24.494+11:00Eight arms to hold you<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3N5v7Rnh7JQFbrY0JWHNhK8bWzrZ2lZkySnAUNvZu5Bwn7h-UKYL_P6M3L0qxt0E7a62EWn6pcRBElanA-WmngUbZb21-HEfhIJu0IiJqhBHuLjzqhAvNxfjBaoTmUPNvcsUHSefQo4Y8Kh77AzePpMTB3xtgEH3pjjDc3Oz8YolE2P5wsux/s960/https-%20www.facebook.com%20groups%20parasolprotectorate%20posts%207329245080421857.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="960" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3N5v7Rnh7JQFbrY0JWHNhK8bWzrZ2lZkySnAUNvZu5Bwn7h-UKYL_P6M3L0qxt0E7a62EWn6pcRBElanA-WmngUbZb21-HEfhIJu0IiJqhBHuLjzqhAvNxfjBaoTmUPNvcsUHSefQo4Y8Kh77AzePpMTB3xtgEH3pjjDc3Oz8YolE2P5wsux/s320/https-%20www.facebook.com%20groups%20parasolprotectorate%20posts%207329245080421857.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Not sure I'd leave the couch with this blanket keeping me warm!<br /></b> <p></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-71180256229736996122023-12-23T07:05:00.001+11:002023-12-23T07:05:40.386+11:00My year in 60 seconds<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="236" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TQp4ZtgMddo?si=IOkAv7mXW8ERoAX7" title="YouTube video player" width="420"></iframe> </p><p><b>Here's an edit of my videos from 2023</b></p><p>It was interesting for me to see the economy I got on my Youtube this year, either revisiting older material or getting extended use from newer jams.</p><p>At first I was disappointed at my output, but then I recognised it doesn't include some highlights.</p><p>This has been a big year in other areas of my creative practise, particularly curating exhibitions and writing short stories and winning prizes.<br /></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-74260066781640398252023-12-20T08:18:00.008+11:002023-12-20T08:18:53.243+11:00You have 20 seconds<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk22n2PH_3VvGlBLNVO-oSbgEoyb-5raCXKfkHJEZPo2hd0gSMNSCProvtrLruqCdQEenMYy457FLf6zvWpeuVgYAdiHV1PuByY9REep3ALY-1QC10IDaE9YYuiKEf6NF7AV3ies5V1dT-2hcs6Vf3ydRh3KHxl1XT3PH-TnaBzWZY91342zNB/s526/ed-209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="526" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk22n2PH_3VvGlBLNVO-oSbgEoyb-5raCXKfkHJEZPo2hd0gSMNSCProvtrLruqCdQEenMYy457FLf6zvWpeuVgYAdiHV1PuByY9REep3ALY-1QC10IDaE9YYuiKEf6NF7AV3ies5V1dT-2hcs6Vf3ydRh3KHxl1XT3PH-TnaBzWZY91342zNB/s320/ed-209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Weird how it's already December again</b><br /><p></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-6837042199012450222023-11-17T06:04:00.001+11:002023-11-17T07:13:14.119+11:00Let's flock together<div><b>It was about a year ago that I first heard a new bird call near my home in Leeton</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The noise was a bit like the Plover and that sounds like an angry rubber duck, but the one that lives nearby doesn't usually venture out of Waipukurau Park and into our street.</div><div><br /></div><div>This sound was more like a bird making a Tiktok video about a disappointing takeaway meal or something, so it wasn't easy to place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then when I was out for a walk in Russet Street, the source became identifiable as this colourful blob made a comic dash across the bitumen.</div><div><br /></div><div>A Guineafowl had arrived in our suburb and it seemed the most unlikely thing to cross my path.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I don't know much about birds but if I had to describe it then I'd say it looks like Roadrunner grew obese in retirement.</div><div><br /></div><div>Admittedly that does seem to be a feature of lower-socioeconomic areas, so maybe the Guineafowl felt at home out here?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcca0DnyDmGx6cBtqH-H0LWq0tKzNISS8PxU8qWlRHCrgcy59hH6SkDc52RcTH9hZcgg-tV2oCQ1j1VUcfui7lhHvIfmqroiJSgd3Nm-7V0aAB9SFqjJg0nsve2urYiLgJhEFEi91lCYmC8riQjFPYObqbMVR1WZAdB78qFp-7XwAGMhRkq5q/s3728/guinea%20fowl%20by%20jason%20richardson.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2470" data-original-width="3728" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcca0DnyDmGx6cBtqH-H0LWq0tKzNISS8PxU8qWlRHCrgcy59hH6SkDc52RcTH9hZcgg-tV2oCQ1j1VUcfui7lhHvIfmqroiJSgd3Nm-7V0aAB9SFqjJg0nsve2urYiLgJhEFEi91lCYmC8riQjFPYObqbMVR1WZAdB78qFp-7XwAGMhRkq5q/w200-h133/guinea%20fowl%20by%20jason%20richardson.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Often I see it hanging around these bird sculptures that populate one beautifully-tended garden.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sometimes I ponder whether the stony-faced avians offer companionship to a bird that might've been dumped or escaped from an aviary.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I lived in Wagga the Aviary at the Botanic Gardens blew down and many of their menagerie escaped into the suburbs around Willans Hill.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So I quizzed the couple who own the birds as I saw them tending to their garden, but they said the Guineafowl just arrived one day.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Where does it roost?" I wondered aloud and the couple pointed to a nearby Hickory Wattle.</div><div><br /></div><div>This seemed unlikely, since I couldn't see the Guineafowl had wings.</div><div><br /></div><div>It looked like it had been sculpted from balloons and sorta sounded like it too!</div><div><br /></div><div>Yet <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guineafowl">Wikipedia</a> states these birds can fly distances and I began to look up at the tree when passing it in the evening or morning.</div><div><br /></div><div>Recently I spotted it on a branch close to what might've been the third storey of a building.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I stared too long because the Guineafowl seemed to start making an anxious noise.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I looked away, since I can relate to feeling like an odd duck in a small town.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rest easy Guineafowl, we're all trying to find comfort and Leeton welcomes new settlers.</div><p> </p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-64636963134363032432023-11-16T16:13:00.003+11:002023-11-16T20:02:48.658+11:00Totem Story<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPFQ4LMGrctgOYhT8mY80sgbtPXAKWZbb1GpeX9jWI4QdolUhGEMX5G7QsZa4JUFETSirTiXg_dWJmFG-YdXA58WJgsiKE0bAiIK1ZPw9ez35rFiOUKKkaY4f2jCtQx1t0SLsGgfAyDZeTMG9jvPP2BgwEqKVe4tHpHP6kLYTvX7nXTPEFXLH/s3507/2023%20Highly%20Commended%20Open_%20Jason%20Richardson.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2479" data-original-width="3507" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPFQ4LMGrctgOYhT8mY80sgbtPXAKWZbb1GpeX9jWI4QdolUhGEMX5G7QsZa4JUFETSirTiXg_dWJmFG-YdXA58WJgsiKE0bAiIK1ZPw9ez35rFiOUKKkaY4f2jCtQx1t0SLsGgfAyDZeTMG9jvPP2BgwEqKVe4tHpHP6kLYTvX7nXTPEFXLH/s320/2023%20Highly%20Commended%20Open_%20Jason%20Richardson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Just before Father died, he said I am Aboriginal.<br /><br />All my life before then he said that, if anyone asked, to say I'm American Indian.<br /><br />He’d say his mother had flown back there because she shouldn’t have had a baby.<br /><br />So Father grew up in a religious orphanage.<br /><br />Then in those final hours he told me his truth.<br /><br />It's a truth I couldn’t believe.<br /><br />Father always made jokes and played tricks.<br /><br />He'd make a coin appear from behind your ear.<br /><br />But he had no energy to joke in those last hours.<br /><br />And the truth felt right in my chest, though it didn’t make sense in my head.<br /><br />But it’s a truth I want you to know.<br /><br />My father was born at the Mission.<br /><br />They taught songs about Jesus and those deeds from the Bible.<br /><br />The Priest would read to them and taught how to be good.<br /><br />My father learned we are all part of one family and God loves us all.<br /><br />He was told we love and help each other or there'll be trouble.<br /><br />They were taught how Noah survived the flood that killed all the sinners.<br /><br />How Moses parted the waters of the Red Sea to help the Israelites.<br /><br />Father said his days were filled with hard work.<br /><br />He had to collect water from the River and wood to boil it.<br /><br />My father said he would get worried when the River flooded.<br /><br />The River was dangerous and sometimes people died at the Crossing.<br /><br />Father would worry that showed God was angry at the men who drank grog at the inns.<br /><br />When he had to go past the inns, those men would stumble out to call him names.<br /><br />Sometimes they hurt him and the Priest would say to forgive.<br /><br />But Father hoped God would punish them.<br /><br />Punish them for hurting the old men who camped outside the Mission.<br /><br />Those old men became my father’s uncles.<br /><br />They taught him the things that he was told to forget.<br /><br />Things he didn’t teach me because he thought that I’d get taken away.<br /><br />These are the things I’m trying to learn now to know my people.<br /><br />Anyway, that’s my story and we’ll get to that another time.<br /><br />Father said as a child he had funny dreams.<br /><br />He dreamed Moses put the punt at the Crossing out of business.<br /><br />Then those mean men couldn't buy grog.<br /><br />When he got older some Uncles gave him grog.<br /><br />It tasted like fire and Father worried God would be angry.<br /><br />The men laughed at him and said grog was Jesus blood.<br /><br />It still burned to drink, so he pretended it was good.<br /><br />The Uncles told him that Jesus was a Christian word for their creator.<br /><br />They told him it was everyone’s god and shared stories like those the Priest told.<br /><br />How God came down to walk the countryside and feed all the people with fish.<br /><br />"Listen," they said, "sometimes you’ll hear his secret name."<br /><br />So Father did listen and he heard a name like a breath, "Jehovah."<br /><br />Then Father asked the men what's our word for Jehovah.<br /><br />"Baiame," they said, he's the same but taught the white people differently. <br /><br />He asked the Priest about Baiame and was told to say Jesus.<br /><br />So Father thought it might be true.<br /><br /><br /><br />When my Father was a boy the Uncles told him to listen to the bush.<br /><br />They spoke with the birds and said that he could too.<br /><br />Those Uncles told him how to listen to what crows say to each other.<br /><br />If you count Wagan’s short calls to each other, then you can follow them to food.<br /><br />Their long sounds tease men, “faaark!” <br /><br />And the crow will sound sad if you take his meal.<br /><br />“Be kind to Wagan and he will look out for you,” they taught.<br /><br />The Uncles told my Father not to make Wagan angry.<br /><br />“That bird is still upset about things in the past and might take it out on you.”<br /><br />Long time ago the crow was white and still new to having wings.<br /><br />Father heard that back then Wagan liked to play tricks and the other birds got annoyed.<br /><br />That big white bird would do silly things like hide other bird’s eggs.<br /><br />One day they got angry and pushed him off a branch.<br /><br />Wagan fell into a fire.<br /><br />That’s why crows are shiny black.<br /><br /><br /><br />One day the Priest said Father was ready.<br /><br />He said he would join another camp and boil water from another part of the River.<br /><br />Father was sad to leave his friends but the Uncles said "don't worry, we'll be nearby when you need us."<br /><br />A man with a cart arrived and they gathered his few belongings.<br /><br />He was brown but his hair was too, not black like the Uncles.<br /><br />Then everyone gathered to say goodbye and see him leave.<br /><br />There were tears and prayers, then that man said it was time to leave.<br /><br />He stepped up onto the cart and Father moved to join him.<br /><br />"No, you go in the back."<br /><br />So he climbed on the dirty dray.<br /><br />The road was rough and the cart got stuck.<br /><br />"You push," he said and Father got splashed with mud by the horses.<br /><br />They travelled for hours and the path led out of the bush and into green paddocks.<br /><br />Father asked "Whose land is this?"<br /><br />"It's your new master's land," he was told.<br /><br />My father saw there was a lot of land and wondered if he could get some too.<br /><br />They travelled further and the green paddocks had fences.<br /><br />Then the fences held sheep.<br /><br />After a while they arrived at a big house.<br /><br />It was bigger than an inn and shone brighter than a new iron shed.<br /><br />They drove around to the stables and the horses drank water from a trough.<br /><br />"You clean yourself" and that man pointed at the trough.<br /><br />A woman came out from the house and spoke to the man.<br /><br />She came to Father and said he could sleep in the stables.<br /><br />Father had to find a bed that didn't belong to a horse.<br /><br />And didn't belong to a rat.<br /><br /><br /><br />Next day father said he got prodded in the dark.<br /><br />A woman was there.<br /><br />The woman showed where there was water in a nearby creek and told him to bring it to the house.<br /><br />Father jokes, "Why didn't your husband build closer to the water?"<br /><br />"Don't be stupid," said the kitchen hand.<br /><br />Father didn't like being called stupid, but he put that away.<br /><br />"What's a smart thing for me to do?"<br /><br />The kitchen hand waved her hand toward the paddocks, "If you can get rid of the rabbits then you'll be rewarded."<br /><br />Father knew the rabbits were good to eat, so there must be a way to catch them.<br /><br />After all, the Uncles told him ways that Baiame could trap the mighty Cod in the Rivers.<br /><br />He decided to ask them and told Dyirri Dyirri that he needed them to visit.<br /><br />That Willie Wagtail did a little dance, like deciding if it was right.<br /><br />Then the bird left.<br /><br /><br /><br />Since Father told me this story I’ve learned something about Dyirri Dyirri.<br /><br />You often see them hanging around because they like to listen to what people say.<br /><br />Like other critters they used to be people, so they know our words.<br /><br />They are messenger birds and can tell news if you learn their songs.<br /><br />I am learning to sing and dance when all our people come together.<br /><br />At corroboree I do their steps to scare little insects.<br /><br />This way I hope to make Dyirri Dyirri talk.<br /><br /><br /><br />Father continued to live in the stables and his days were spent carrying water and wood.<br /><br />He began to wake early so there’s time to look at the stars.<br /><br />The Seven Sisters reminded him of friends back at the Mission.<br /><br />He listened to the birdsong of Gurru who chortles before dawn.<br /><br />Then at dusk magpie shares what they’ve heard.<br /><br />At spring he gave that bird scraps of food so he wouldn't peck at his head.<br /><br />Father noticed that Wagan the crow would often try to steal the magpie's food.<br /><br />So he fed Wagan too and the crows began to follow along that walk to the creek.<br /><br /><br /><br />One day Father was returning with the water when there was a sound like thunder.<br /><br />It was so loud that it frightened a crow and killed it.<br /><br />As Father looked at that crow and then at the sky, a shepherd from Master’s paddocks approached with a smoking stick.<br /><br />This was the first time Father saw a gun being used.<br /><br />That shepherd said crows were as bad as rabbits.<br /><br />"Where rabbits make holes that cripple old sheep, the crows blind the mothers and kill the lambs" he was told.<br /><br />Father didn't say anything but was more careful when feeding the crows.<br /><br />He was also careful to not stay too long at the house.<br /><br />The Master was a pale round man who bossed people with a singsong voice.<br /><br />Father learned what was his house and his land and his sheep.<br /><br />He also learned Master would hit him if Father was sitting down.<br /><br />So he watched the doorways and windows.<br /><br />If Father saw Master he'd move faster to get what was needed.<br /><br />One day the Master called him good and there was a bottle of grog.<br /><br />He saw that good people get things and wanted to get more.<br /><br /><br /><br />Eventually Dyirri Dyirri passed along Father's message for the Uncles.<br /><br />The old men were waiting among the trees one day as he collected wood.<br /><br />Father asked them if they knew how to catch rabbits and the Uncles nodded.<br /><br />They wouldn’t say how but then Father gave them that bottle.<br /><br />They were very happy then.<br /><br />Father explained he could share more if they would catch all the rabbits.<br /><br />The Uncles said they would ask around at the next corroboree.<br /><br />Later the Uncles came back and said Gugaa was fast enough to catch rabbits.<br /><br />Father asked for him to kill all the rabbits.<br /><br />The Uncles laughed and said they would ask.<br /><br /><br /><br />The seasons changed and the green grass turned brown.<br /><br />Then there wasn't grass because rabbits had eaten it all.<br /><br />Paddocks were covered with holes and the shepherds lost their jobs.<br /><br />Father worried he would lose his job.<br /><br />Then one day he met an old man near the creek.<br /><br />At first he didn't notice as his clothes were the colour of the dirt and the leaves.<br /><br />Father thought he looked familiar.<br /><br />He was lying on the ground licking at the water.<br /><br />As Father approached the old man’s head turned quickly sideways.<br /><br />That man had skin that looked dry and then he sniffed at the air.<br /><br />"Do you ride a horse?" the old man wanted to know.<br /><br />"No, they don't let me on a horse," said Father. <br /><br />"I hear you need help with rabbits?"<br /><br />Father told him about the reward for getting rid of rabbits.<br /><br />That old man asked to see paddocks and they walked toward the house.<br /><br />There was a rustling sound among the trees as they walked.<br /><br />It sounded like the dry leaves on the wind though there was no breeze.<br /><br />As they stepped out from bushland toward the fence, Father saw that old man’s clothes now looked pale like dry grass.<br /><br />They stopped near the stable and looked around.<br /><br />Father was called to the house.<br /><br />When he got back to the stable, Father looked for the old man but he’d gone.<br /><br />In the distance a goanna was climbing up a tree.<br /><br />He knew goannas ate eggs and Father also liked eggs.<br /><br />A magpie pecked at that goanna but it kept climbing to the nest.<br /><br />Then Gurru tried to grab the lizard but it held onto the tree.<br /><br />The bird was angry noises but that goanna didn't stop.<br /><br />Father watched as magpie saw her eggs get eaten.<br /><br /><br /><br />Over the following months a stink started to follow the wind.<br /><br />It was a smell like death.<br /><br />Father said he noticed no new rabbit burrows after it rained.<br /><br />Then grass became green and the Master’s sheep grew fat.<br /><br />It seemed right to ask about the reward for getting rid of the rabbits.<br /><br />Father asked the kitchen hand and she said it wasn't for her to know.<br /><br />He asked the stable hands and the shepherds and they laughed.<br /><br />One day he asked the Master if he thought he'd been good.<br /><br />Master wanted to know what he had done to be called good.<br /><br />Father told him he had got the Uncles to send Gugaa to kill all them rabbits.<br /><br />This made the pale round man happy.<br /><br />He laughed and laughed and Father thought he had done good.<br /><br />"Will you give us a reward?"<br /><br />Master became angry and said he wanted proof Gugaa had got rid of rabbits.<br /><br />Then told him to go back to getting wood and water.<br /><br />Father went to find Dyirri Dyirri to ask for the Uncles.<br /><br />Near the bush he saw sheep that looked round like the Master.<br /><br />He watched as they lay on their back and gave birth to a lamb.<br /><br />Father didn't realise that he wasn't the only one watching until Wagan landed nearby.<br /><br />Those shiny black feathers had flashes of green grass and blue sky.<br /><br />As that lamb began to bleat, the crow climbed onto the sheep's face and pecked its eyes.<br /><br />Father said he was scared and sickened.<br /><br />He thought about throwing a stone at that bird, then remembered what the Uncles had said.<br /><br />Besides, Father was angry at the Master.<br /><br /><br /><br />The Uncles were also angry when they heard there was no reward.<br /><br />They told Father you don't make Gugaa angry.<br /><br />“He’s like those goannas and might run for a bit but won’t stop walking to wherever you go."<br /><br />In the weeks that followed new rabbit holes appeared.<br /><br />On his walks past the paddocks Father heard rustling in the bush.<br /><br />Sometimes he saw shapes like lizards among the patterns on tree bark.<br /><br />He saw sheep looking sick with bites on their legs.<br /><br />The shepherds brought their sheep closer to the house.<br /><br />Master's machinery rumbled in the distance.<br /><br /><br /><br />Next morning my Father woke to the sound of Wagan's call.<br /><br />He had never heard a crow laugh before.<br /><br />Overnight the stable had become home to lots of new critters.<br /><br />That morning Father didn't need to walk to the creek.<br /><br />The paddocks near the bush were underwater.<br /><br />Then the sheep moved into the stable.<br /><br />Father heard his master had made a flood.<br /><br />It filled him with awe for the pale round man.<br /><br />The Master had brought the River to the house.<br /><br />Those rabbits drowned in their holes.<br /><br />But even with all that hay in the stable, them sheep still sick.<br /><br />Their faces looked a grey green.<br /><br />Father thought he saw lizards swimming in the water.<br /><br />Then he grew scared of the Gugaa.<br /><br />That old man would be angry.<br /><br />Father wondered if the Master could protect him.<br /><br />He wasn’t sure who’d win.<br /><br />So Father began to put eggs around his bed in the stable.<br /><br />And each morning those eggs would be gone.<br /><br />Then one morning the flood left the house.<br /><br />Next morning the water went past the stable.<br /><br />By the following week it was back at the bush.<br /><br />Then the creek began to take shape again and the River left the Master’s land.<br /><br /><br /><br />Around about that time Father saw the Master again.<br /><br />The round man moved slowly and his pale cheeks looked grey green.<br /><br />A long line of sulkies began to roll down the road.<br /><br />All the doctors from all around came to make the Master better.<br /><br />Father heard from the kitchen hand the maid had seen a bite on his leg.<br /><br />He worried what’d happen if he lost his job and his bed in the stable.<br /><br />Father asked Dyirri Dyirri to call for the Uncles.<br /><br />They said Gugaa had been busy and didn’t dance at the last corroboree.<br /><br />Father asked where he would go if the Master died.<br /><br />"You belong to the land and it will take care of you." they said.<br /><br />He thought that, like Wagan the trickster crow, he could take food from the land.<br /><br />After all, sheep were stupid to lie there.<br /><br />Fences didn’t protect them and the stable wasn’t Father’s home.<br /><br />He decided to be ready to leave.<br /><br /><br /><br />Weeks later the Master died.<br /><br />Everyone in the house had to wear black.<br /><br />They were all sad but Father was happy.<br /><br />He thought those new clothes made him look like a crow.<br /><br />Everyone in town went to church to see Master lying in a coffin.<br /><br />All the doctors too and they argued about that mark on his leg.<br /><br />All the people agreed he was powerful and he had punished rabbits.<br /><br />Everyone lined up and walked to his coffin.<br /><br />They all looked like sheep walking up to a water trough.<br /><br />Father went outside so he could laugh.<br /><br />There he saw Gugaa.<br /><br />The old man stood at the gates.<br /><br />He was sniffing toward the church.<br /><br />Father said he asked Gugaa if he had killed the Master.<br /><br />The old man smiled and his blue tongue licked his lips.<br /><br />“How about that reward you owe me,” he hissed.<br /><br />Father said he was sorry.<br /><br />"Let me give you something," he told Gugaa.<br /><br />And reached behind one of the old man's small ears to draw something from near his wrinkled neck.<br /><br />It was an egg.<br /><p></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-35945556608611859422023-11-10T19:21:00.005+11:002023-11-11T09:24:57.022+11:00Birdsong<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="236" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tSJ3GoGktcg?si=OjoVLaCIoMj88tkf" title="YouTube video player" width="420"></iframe> </p><p><b>One of the fun things about working in an open-air museum is the opportunity to be outdoors</b></p><p>I get to observe the changing seasons through shadows playing on fog, deafening cicadas, the puffs of pine spores and the songs of birds.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F44BsMUZeCw&list=PL5KSUe9u5ECZZN_aeglKZHN2T_m9L21vy">I've started a playlist for my favourite avian videos, see here.</a><br /></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-66910710916849190092023-11-10T08:18:00.003+11:002023-11-10T08:18:42.784+11:00Spooky story<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8KDVhypDP0AnSLVOYkC10ejK0DEB1_9ajl8eBKdaOtS0qKl07fkP-CNK50S8ZXZUXn7njuQvC-hAHG0XU1gXqDmvDqMX_FfR6iNTeexRn8HXtIEnPkO6_c-Zf6JeEaMOxjtO6qdyEp113Gf__Dw3lS-sjBVtHKvYPQotHaRIcBe-wXNxDPlH/s857/leeton%20artist%20jason%20richardson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="857" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8KDVhypDP0AnSLVOYkC10ejK0DEB1_9ajl8eBKdaOtS0qKl07fkP-CNK50S8ZXZUXn7njuQvC-hAHG0XU1gXqDmvDqMX_FfR6iNTeexRn8HXtIEnPkO6_c-Zf6JeEaMOxjtO6qdyEp113Gf__Dw3lS-sjBVtHKvYPQotHaRIcBe-wXNxDPlH/s320/leeton%20artist%20jason%20richardson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Sharing my wind organs again this week</b><br /> <p></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13622911.post-72910414372499122872023-10-24T18:43:00.001+11:002023-10-24T18:43:03.114+11:00Arrival<p><b>My daughter took a liking to the film Arrival, so I took that opportunity to give her this book with the story it was based on as a present</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOe3UEg-xl-0xYhIFVIX7Kqy-a7xN47a0ddjpy6i2cOXyiJ6O6eMbrRFgHtvPH8f1tymUkLO70dfTjFp0IPbGZnOo_GTvpiD2dtKfHUn47dsiCI0mAEhx1ec5rvGgLGYWxgvh6rq_f0MTI7XrY-0ggJvwkQyytkle8yJKHnZntB9N8yXPmRHZ/s1000/arrival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="648" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOe3UEg-xl-0xYhIFVIX7Kqy-a7xN47a0ddjpy6i2cOXyiJ6O6eMbrRFgHtvPH8f1tymUkLO70dfTjFp0IPbGZnOo_GTvpiD2dtKfHUn47dsiCI0mAEhx1ec5rvGgLGYWxgvh6rq_f0MTI7XrY-0ggJvwkQyytkle8yJKHnZntB9N8yXPmRHZ/w129-h200/arrival.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>For a couple of years it sat on her shelf, until recently she started reading books again and opened this one. <br /><p></p><p>It was funny that she didn't notice it was a collection of short stories and began to ponder how the Tower of Babel setting in the first chapter related to the film! <br /></p><p>She finished the book while I was away and acknowledged that she wouldn't normally read sci-fi but found many of the ideas interesting. <br /></p>Jason Richardsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07946572079295813973noreply@blogger.com