A friend from New Norcia Benedictine Community dropped in today to do a spot of work. While they were in they gave me a couple of images that are just brilliant.
Microsoft recently launched Vista - the latest incarnation of their Windows platform. The plan was to have three large scale artworks that could be seen from space and then the satellite images downloaded and viewed. The 'Look up and Smile' campaign was part of the Australia Day celebrations this year and cross-promoting the launch of the Microsoft product.
By all reports, its impact as an effective tie-in for Vista was a complete fizzer. Apparenetly, the two other locations kind of missed the satellite boat. This artwork though, is breathtaking. What you're looking at is a 100 square metre 'paddock canvas' in New Norcia created from different mineral sands close to the monastic town. The artwork, designed by three indigenous ladies was then 'constructed' by a team of people to be completed in time for the satellite passover (not a religious event, just an occurence).
The town of New Norcia got some great mileage from it. Microsoft...not so much. In fact, The Australian reported it as a Google project. Aaahhh...what's a couple of million between friends?
.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Look up and Smile!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
google earth were doing fly overs recently in australia, and people were encouraged to make banners etc, so i could see how the australian could have mixed it up.
Aahhh...good call. My guess is Microsoft weren't as understanding!
An interesting note, the 'U' shapes represent 'bums in te sand' and are symbolic of the indigenous people welcoming people , in peace, to their community. You'll notice that an invitation has been extended to us 'white fellas' as well... And it's by the white fella that the olive branch of peace has been extended.
In fact, the whole work symbolises piece.
New Norcia - who are united under the banner 'PAX' (Latin for peace) formed the word PAX out of their people and waved olive branches nearby as the satellite passes over. Sweet!
That is sensational. The image is breathtaking in itself, let alone when you realise just how huge it is. Any idea how long it will last?
I'm blown away.
ephemeral... almost immediately following completion (and capturing) the plastic parts were removed in order to appropriate restore the natural environment. With wind and such, there is only a gentle trace of it left (so I'm told). They've actually left the different mineral sands in place to so whether there are different advantages from the various distinctive nutrients they offer the soil.
Post a Comment