A Ringing Glass (Rilke) (2)

A Ringing Glass (Rilke)

Ken Unsworth’s use of suspended objects has become a signature motif in his long career as a performance, sculpture and instillation artist, but it takes on new significance in relation to death, specifically the recent passing of his wife, whom his latest project A Ringing Glass (Rilke) honours.

From a skeleton hanging upside down to a hospital bed afloat in space to a grand piano exploded into pieces hovering above us – nothing in the series of instillations is earth bound. Suspended in the air, it is uncertain whether the inanimate objects are in the process of rising or falling, and with this quality of transcendence they provide an extensive momento mori, reminding us of the mortality of ourselves and all things.

The various rooms can be seen as different chapters of the life of Elisabeth, who was an accomplished pianist and a driving force in Ken’s career for the 54 years they were married. “After the death of her son from a brain tumour at age 33 Elisabeth set up a fellowship in his name for young medical researchers and she was always happy to be able to talk about him,” the artist said. “I feel the same way about her; she was such an important part of my life and I want to acknowledge and remember that.”

The tribute to Elisabeth’s life extends beyond the four instillations to the lived experience of a decadent event which was hosted by Unsworth to open the exhibition on Cockatoo Island. In a custom built ballroom, 160 guests were invited to dine, dance, watch performances and listen to a posthumous piano recital by Elisabeth, and footage from the night is being screened in the space for the duration of the exhibition.

Solidarity

Our fellow blogger, A, is missing in Iran. We post today in support of his freedom. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Truth be Told

is your truth the only truth

that we must obey

that lacks grey

is absolute like the number one

is black as night

white as flight

won’t you listen to my truth

it’s pliant as the dancer’s legs

is grey as the winter sky

confused as infinity

open to suggestion

come feel my truth

(Sara Rahai, iranian.com, 2006)

Thinking of A and all the other bloggers, photographers and journalists who have been arrested or whose whereabouts are unknown. May they be safe, unharmed, and soon return to their families.

Winter Festival (6)

In Solidarity

Iranians and others around the world are encouraged to release green balloons into the sky at 1.00 pm Friday Iranian time.

In the words of fellow blogger Green - "People are called to send "green" balloons to the sky on Friday in Iran and any where else in the world. Sky is ours if they ban us express ourselves on the ground. They may shoot our balloons but at least we can be happy that no one dies."

Sky Watch Friday - Winter Festival (5)

Its snowing! Fake snow in the centre of the city.

For more Sky Watch from around the world, drop in to the home of Sky Watch Friday.

Winter Festival (4)

Winter Festival (3)

In return for controlling the skaters and sweeping the rink between sets, they got to show off.

Winter Festival (2)

Winter Festival

This week's offering comes courtesy of the Sydney Winter Festival, a strange affair involving the installation of an ice rink, and the attempt to create a faux European ambience by the use of a snow machine, a large screen showing Andre Rieux and stalls selling gluwine, German sausages and sweets, interspersed by the ubiquitous Thai food and cup cake stands. All this in a city where the daytime winter temperature rarely falls below 10 degrees celcius. Very strange but the punters seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Vivid (7)

Nothing Left to Guess (Tim Carr).

Vivid (6)

Lumenocity is an abstracted energy consumption map of the Sydney CBD. The colour of the lanterns making up the miniature city correlate to the amount of energy consumed, and light pollution emitted, by a particular city block.Lit by the glow of energy efficient fluorescents, Lumenocity creates a landscape that visitors can wander through, and will highlight the energy consumed on a daily basis.

Sky Watch Friday - Vivid (5)

The Opera House sails glow blue against the night sky.
For more Sky Watch from around the world, drop in to the home of Sky Watch Friday.

Vivid (4)

A closer look at Lighting the Sails.

Vivid (3)

Vessel of (Horti) Cultural Plenty by Warren Langleys and Rainbow by Mark Hammer and Andre Kecskes.

Vivid (2)

The Museum of Contemporary Art glows in the night.

Vivid Sydney

Lighting the Sails is part of Brian Eno's Luminous program for the inaugural Vivid Sydney Festival.

Centennial Park (8)

Centennial Park (7)

Forgotten.

Sky Watch Friday - Centennial Park (6)

For more Sky Watch from around the world, drop in to the home of Sky Watch Friday.

Centennial Park (5)

Cobber - my photography teacher's dog.

Centennial Park (4)

Centennial Park (3)

Waiting patiently.

Centennial Park (2)

Centennial Park (1)

New Toy

No, not this lens. This is the one that's always been on the SLR. I'm playing with my new toy - a 50mm F1.8 lens - fun.