Salt Licks
We are interested in different ways of hardening salt. So far we haven’t been able to find much information on how to make your own ‘salt blocks’. One source of information is the industry of making ‘salt licks’ for cattle. Many of these salt licks also contain protein. We managed to find one brand that seems to only be plain salt. We are trying to order a block from Landmark to see if it may be suitable to carve just as a test.
Please let us know if you have any suggestions!!!
Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre
On Friday September 25th we were lucky enough to present our work at the
Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre
and get some really great feedback and information from the scientists. Dr. Todd Wallace was kind enough to give us a great intensive session on the history and issues surrounding the Murray Darling Basin.
One important thing we learned is the impact not only of the irrigation, but also of the regulation of the river – the complex system of weirs and dams, and how that impacts on groundwater, flow, and habitat.
Testing Salt
We are starting to test salt to see how we can use it as a material. It is harder to mould than sugar! And does not quite have the tasting test attraction.
Once hardened, though, it is really tough and preservable.
Water into Gold
I am currently reading Water into Gold by Ernestine Hill, a history of irrigation on the Murray first published in 1937. There is a good description on p149 regarding the locust plague of 1886.
“Just at this time a plague of grasshoppers swept in from the west. There are occasional such visitations in Australia, when the most harmless of earth’s creatures become a menace. Where they came from, and where they go, nobody knows. Winged hordes that darken the sun, driving across the continent like a wind of pestilence, they leave it bare, demolishing every leaf, every blade of young wheat, gone in a day, and desolation in their wake. Even yet science is powerless against that terrible onslaught.”
Will they be coming to Mildura soon?
Welcome to Mildura
We have arrived in Mildura. Our schedule has been packed since we arrived. We were able to see the Palimpsest Symposium, and join in on the events, which was fantastic.
So far we have been busy checking out sites using Sunrise 21‘s amazing resources, and going out to a few sites as well. Sue Argus has been amazingly helpful, and showed us Lake Ranfurly and Lake Hawthorn.
We also managed to join one of the tours to the Mourquong organised by Discover Mildura tours.
Exhibition Opening
Dear Friends
Please join us at Gallery 25, 25 Deakin Ave, Mildura
on Wednesday 1st of September , at 5.00pm to 6.00pm
For the opening of a fabulous new exhibition by Ken and Julia Yonetani and Jonathan Kimberley.
Ken & Julia Yonetani
Ultrabuddha – that is why I want to be saved
Jonathan Kimberley
Ecumene (the lived world)
Ken and Julia Yonetani are artists in residence with the Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre and Sunrise 21. Ken Yonetani has been involved in many art/science collaborations including his spectacular installation Sweet Barrier Reef which represented Australia in the 2009 Venice Biennale. Ken and Julia are taking part in a 3 month Synapse art/science residency in preparation for Mildura Palimpsest #8. Ultrabuddha – that is why I want to be saved, was created at Lake Mungo earlier in 2010, with permission from the indigenous peoples of the area. An entirely new work will be developed during their three month residency in Mildura for next year’s Palimpsest #8.
Jonathan Kimberley’s painting is an exploration of culturally constructed relationships between Western landscape and Aboriginal country. His practice combines solo painting and in depth collaborations with indigenous artists in their country. Ecumene (the lived world) is a solo exhibition. Kimberley’s most recent collaboration with Kayili artists Ngipi Ward, Pulpurru Davies, Nancy Carnegie, Manupa Butler, Norma Giles, Jodie Carnegie and Paul Carnegie, Kuluntjarra World Map: The nine collaborations, will be shown at Mildura Art Deco Palace, 39 Langtree Ave, from September 15-28. With thanks to Kayili Artists, Patjarr, Gibson Desert, W.A.
Helen Vivian
Chair, Mildura Palimpsest
Editor, When you think about art: The Ewing and George Paton Galleries 1971-2008
