Invasion Day

With Matthew Flinders in the news and Australia Day again raising discussion of colonial history, I'm reminded of the advice proffered by the French Commodore Baudin

As he set sail to also circumnavigate our continent, he wrote to Governor King in 1802 and used fairly strong diplomatic language:

"If you would reflect on the conduct of the natives since you first settled on their territory, you will see that the distance they keep from you and from your customs was brought about by the idea they formed of the men who wished to live with them. In spite of your precautions and the punishments you dealt out to those who mistreated them, they were able to discern your future projects, but, being too weak to resist you, the fear of your weapons has made them leave their land, so that the hope of seeing them mix among you is lost, and you will soon be left the peaceful possessors of their birthright, as the small number of them living around you will not last for long."
p.141, https://sydney.edu.au/…/pdfs/correspondence_port_jackson.pdf

Chilli cucumber pickle

I like this recipe for a summer salad that also tastes good in stir-fries and soups

Take six of the Lebanese variety or around three of larger varieties, score their outsides with a fork and then cut in half or quarters (original recipe says to scoop out seeds but it seems a waste of water), then marinate for at least an hour with red onion (and chopped chillis if you're inclined) in a quarter cup of white vinegar with a tablespoon each of sugar and sweet chilli sauce.

Original recipe suggests adding coriander and roasted peanuts prior to serving.

Local graffiti policy

My council asked for comments on their draft graffiti policy and I thought it is a good start but would benefit from further consideration

Fundamentally graffiti is more than "an element of youth culture," just look at what we know of ancient societies from the graffiti messages that remain.

Obviously not all graffiti constitutes thoughtful communication and the “tagging” that seems to have prompted the drafting of the policy is a distinct issue.

However, a definition that recognises graffiti is illicit as well as public is important in addressing the behaviour.

A definition for street art would, in turn, recognise a variety of activities for legal expression by the community in public spaces.

As a result, I think a separate public art policy should address the availability of walls for designs and the community engagement which will foster a sense of ownership for those spaces.

This public art policy could recognise a variety of media, from non-destructive paste-ups (shown in pic) through to permanent paint-based work — or potentially extend into sculpture and other installations?

It would also look broadly at resources within the community for engagement and the promotion of art.

Furthermore, a broader discussion of public art would promote the pathways available to develop skills and that such activity is not limited to a youth demographic.

Promoting graffiti would be at odds with the criminal punishment that activity.

Developing opportunities for the community to exhibit their designs and other thoughtful communication through public art would be a good outcome.

DANCE music

It's interesting time to release a new album



The tracks on DANCE have accumulated over the last four years or so.

There was a lot of material to consider but the biggest challenge was overcoming my preconceptions, because it's part of a bigger sequence.

Around 15 years ago when I released my first album SHAKES, I thought it would be interesting if the titles for my releases formed a sequence.

Over the years it's taken shape as SHAKES YOUR (VISCERA) (WITHER) VIBRATING STRING WHILE REIMAGINING AND DANCE...

(The titles in brackets appeared under other aliases.)

As the album appears to be approaching it's end as a popular format for music, I feel I'm racing to get the last out while they're still sorta relevant.

I really like shifting my approach to plan for an album, as it involves revisiting older material and gauging if my skills have improved enough to improve the exported song.

Then I collect material and look for ways to incorporate elements, particularly when two or more tracks combine to create something bigger and better.

I've just been reading how Bach did something similar and incorporated earlier works into his later material.