#interaction: mabo: 05.

[tttt117-blog]

taiyou-no-uta:

It’s just-

/he sighs, leaning forward in his seat to bury his face in his hands;

[Tomoya bites his lip.] ...just what?

[Already, he wants to hold him. But being in the green room for TOKIO Kakeru...]

Is it okay to tell me?

[omgmicheal01me]

Confronting reconciliation art puts all of us on journey to better future

Updated May 30, 2018 13:02:40

Photo: The Fire and Water sculpture represents gathering and togetherness. (ABC Canberra: Michael Black) In the heart of our nation's capital lies some of Australia's most confronting works of art. Reconciliation Place was commissioned to enshrine Indigenous stories and artwork in the centre of Canberra's Parliamentary Triangle. The project worked closely with Indigenous leaders to represent hope for the future while acknowledging some of the darkest moments of our colonial history. Face to face with a difficult past

Photo: "I like the girl in the centre of the group, but if taken by anyone else, any of the others would do, as long as they are strong." (ABC Canberra: Michael Black, NAA: A1, 1934/6800) Some of the sculptures have literally captured the stories of Indigenous Australians with documents and articles from old newspapers. A clipping of a group of Aboriginal children has a cross marking one girl for separation from family. Exhibition curator Roslyn Hull said it was important for all Australians to recognise the harm caused to the Stolen Generations and find a way forward together. "This is a period in our history that happened. This is not something that was invented," she said. Settled in the centre of the sculpture Separation is a coolamon a traditional carrier for a baby. The coolamon has been left empty with a haunting Indigenous lullaby accompanying the artwork. Ms Hull recalled a visiting school group with a young girl who said she felt responsible for the harms committed against Aboriginal people. "She wasn't responsible. She cannot change the past," Ms Hull said. "All we can change is our own attitude to these stories in the future."

Photo: The Separation sculpture allows visitors to leave notes about their feelings on the separation of children. (ABC Canberra: Michael Black) Reconciliation not a destination but a journey The Howard government never issued a formal apology to the Stolen Generations, instead moving a Motion of Reconciliation in 1999 which acknowledged past mistreatment. When Reconciliation Place opened in 2002, prime minister John Howard remarked it was at the centre of constitutional life in Australia. Its man-made hill was built in the middle and grants visitors a direct line of sight to Parliament House, the National Library and the High Court. "These are places where decisions are made that affect all of us ... and where our most treasured memories on paper are kept," Ms Hull said. She referenced the High Court's 1992 decision in the case of Eddie Mabo around Indigenous land rights. Just as Mabo's name is etched into our history, his legacy is captured on the Land Rights sculpture alongside other Indigenous leaders. Journey to a better future A fighting stick is featured on the side of one of the eastern-most sculptures. Ms Hull said the weapon wasn't incongruous with reconciliation as it had evolved to represent a message stick. "I think it's really powerful to think about how you will respond to what you've seen," she said.

Photo: Reconciliation Place's public art encourages interaction and interpretation. (Supplied: UAP, Emma Reilly) Visiting school children are charged with the task of carrying away the message of reconciliation to their own families. "Point out the artworks and tell them what it's about. You teach mum and dad," Ms Hull said. The tours run by the National Capital Authority are designed to build the city in the hearts of all Australians, she said. "It's a pathway that all Australians need to be journeying along to a better future."

Photo: The ongoing inclusion of more artwork acknowledges the unfinished journey of reconciliation. (ABC Canberra: Michael Black) Topics:reconciliation,indigenous-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander,history,stolen-generations,land-rights,contemporary-art,people,human-interest,canberra-2600 First posted May 30, 2018 10:55:10 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-30/public-art-building-reconciliation-in-hearts-of-all-australians/9811708