Untitled (giran). (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jones, Jonathan
• Other Names: Vanni Ilaria guest-editor.; Crosby Alexandra guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Visual communication. Volume 19:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 415
• Page End: 428
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: birds -- contemporary art -- Country -- environment -- wind -- Wiradjuri knowledge; Visual communication -- Periodicals; Popular culture -- Periodicals; Art and society -- Periodicals; 302.222
• DOI: 10.1177/1470357220916115
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-3572

Abstract

Understanding wind is an important part of understanding Country. Winds bring change, knowledge and emotions. Connected to the winds are budyaan, or the birds, who know the winds best. This visual essay traces the development of Wiradjuri dhawura gulbanha (Wiradjuri wind philosophy), a project conceived with Dr Uncle Stan Grant AM, a senior Wiradjuri elder and knowledge holder. Throughout this visual essay, Wiradjuri is used rather than Indigenous or Aboriginal, as the project is based on specific Wiradjuri culture, knowledge, and language, to which the author belongs. In order to represent the winds, the project required thousands of feathers, which were provided with a public call out. The aim of this call out, in addition to collecting feathers, was to stimulate people to show yindyamarra (respect) and engage with their local environment, to take note of the birds that inhabit parks in cities and towns, and to learn to move slowly through Country by engaging with Country. The final work, untitled (giran) 2018, is a major installation with soundscape shown at the 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art at the Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane. This visual essay, in the form of photographs and an extended caption, shows how Wiradjuri gulbanha (Wiradjuri philosophy) can benefit all members of the community.