Saturday, April 25, 2015

ANZAC Day

Today is ANZAC Day - a day when we stop and remember all those  who have fought and died in wars.  It is a sad and sombre day for most of us.  It is a quiet day for us, full of reflection and introspection.

Barry and Susan and Helen and I all have artists' books based on World War I in exhibitions at both the Caloundra Regional Gallery and Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland at the moment.

Through the week, we were sent a short video that was made from a series of vox-pop interviews at the opening of the Caloundra Exhibition. It appears on ABC Open, and captures us talking about the thoughts behind our books...

If you've ever wondered what we sound like when we talk, and not just when we write - this is how it goes...

You can find the video here

Here are some images from my books at the Redland Art Gallery in Cleveland as well. We attended an Artists' talk yesterday that Helen Malone gave on the books in the Personal Histories exhibition that were focused on World War 1. It was a beautiful session with Helen giving thoughtful insights into her reading of our our books, and showing us all things we didn't know were there...very special.

No Return...


The Nurses...



Absences...



And here are my wee books in the main exhibition - A Life of Words...


10 comments:

  1. I'm thinking of the 49th battalion and you Fiona, and feeling sad and teary.

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  2. And of you Helen - it is a day for weeping and regretting the huge losses.

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  3. It makes me quite angry that our young people are sacrificed for no good reason. What has it achieved? Politicians are happy to safely sit behind their desks and arrange for thousands of soldiers to put their lives at risk, and many families to mourn. There must be another way.

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    1. It is such a difficult and conflicting time Jo - such a waste of youth and talent and skill and potential, yet I honour them for serving. But so often it works as you say - and I think we just have to keep trying to find better ways of resolving conflict. War is no answer.

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  4. I watched the video... wonderful to hear everyone's voices... and all the books are so moving and tender and lovely.

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    1. Thanks Donna - glad you enjoyed hearing our voices. It is a difficult time - how to remember without glorifying. The books are all gentle and quiet and reflective...go well.

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  5. Ik heb zoveel waarheden gehoord op de video.
    Waarom leren mensen niet uit al die geleden ellende!

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    1. I've heard so many truths on the video.
      Why people do not learn from all this misery ago!

      I agree Marleen, and no matter where we live, we all still struggle to make sense of it...go well.

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  6. I found the Anzac Day commemorations of Gallipoli very moving and thought of how much it means to your part of the world but the video has brought it home even deeper. I listened to the words but was also mindful of how wonderful it was to see you and Barry 'in the flesh' so to speak and actually talking. Wise words from you all. Thank you.

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    1. It was indeed a sombre and heavy time for us Lesley, but if we don't remember do we forget? So we try to remember...
      The video was such a special thing for us; none of us imagined we would be more than a blip; and yet she has captured our thoughts and feelings so well. Makes the world a little bit smaller doesn't it? Go well.

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.