Sunday 21 October 2012

Always was, always will be


This is the third year of the City of Sydney 'Streetware' programme for emerging artists.

Reko Rennie is a Kamilaroi man, born in Melbourne. He is an urban aborigine drawing inspiration from his heritage to explore issues of identity, race, law and justice, land rights, and stolen generations. Here he uses geometric diamonds, reminiscent of the traditional markings of his Kamilaroi people.

Rennie is exploring what it means to be an urban Aborigine in contemporary Australia. This is a temporary art work. But Rennie's meaning is clear – this was Gadigal country and always will be Gadigal.

However, come March 2013 the building, which was an old Commonwealth Bank built in 1910, will revert back to its Anglo heritage status. It is across from my physiotherapist; and they abhor it!

Taylor Square, Darlinghurst, Sydney

17 comments:

Birdman said...

Got a Disneyland feel to it.

Birdman said...

BTW
J- Here's an idea for a 'theme day' down the road. Call it "Guess". Perhaps an up close picture that has an ambigbuous feel and look. Answer revealed at end. What do you think? Might be fun.

Julie said...

Okay ... done, Michael. I shall add it to the choices available for February. December is up now, and January is usually 'Photo of the Year', although that might change after this next one!

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Maybe the people in the nearby office will grow to like it, about the time that it is due to end.

Lowell said...

A very interesting post. I think many native peoples whose ancestors were displaced (murdered, driven from their lands, etc.) have some tough issues to deal with in terms of identity and how to deal with the racism still so prevalent (at least in the U.S.).

Thank you for the notice on the portal. Very much appreciated. And it looks good. Evidently, we no longer have to sign in? I couldn't find a sign-in or log-in box, but maybe I just missed it.

Best wishes!

Thérèse said...

It must not be easy to face this building every single day...

TheChieftess said...

An interesting exhibit!!! I can understand the neighbor's distaste for the very bright colors as a building...but I do like the design!!! And I certainly like the basis for the exhibit...

Julie said...

Lowell, yes there is no longer a sign-in to enter the portal. We are trying to actively encourage readers who are not blog members. We want them to go out and discover the wonderful blogs that ride within the portal. I will put this on your blog too.

Lowell said...

Got another question. I don't see Ocala (Florida) Photos, or Cedar Key (Florida) Photos. I did see The Villages. Why are Ocala and Cedar Key missing?

RedPat said...

Hi Julie
Thanks for the heads up about the portal being up again thanks to you and a couple of other hard workers. I have been checking it out all week and was out today taking pics for the theme day. Thank you guys for getting us back into business, I had missed CDP so much!
Pat

Ann said...

I thought this was part of Art and About. Didn't know it was going to be there that long. They've certainly made sure you can't miss it. Not sure I'd want to look at it every day either.

Jim said...

Excellent. I missed out on photographing the bright fluorescent orange and green colours last year. Haven't had a chance to get up there so far this year either. Thanks for showing it.

Joe said...

Wouldn't need a GPS to find this spot Julie. It's so bright it's probably visible from space.

Virginia said...

Your PT folks have no sense of fun. I love it. Bravo!
V

Lowell said...

Thanks for your help, Julie!

Julie said...

Yes, my PT folk have a constrained sense of fun, VJ.

Unknown said...

Well, if it's causing that strong of a reaction, the piece of art is doing something right!

I like it while at once not liking it. It looks so out of place in its surroundings, which I imagine is rather the point.