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“... Rarely have we stood back and celebrated our soils as something beautiful, and perhaps even mysterious.”
Les Molloy
SEEKING A CULTURAL PARTNER TO THIS EXCITING PROJECT
We are inviting expressions of interest from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons or organisations that are interested to become our cultural partner to this project. Deadline for submissions is 5 September 2014.
For more information contact Dr Martin Moroni:
WHAT WE WANT TO DO
Produce a nationally significant exhibition that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and soil science through soil art.
WHY WE WANT TO DO THIS PROJECT
Australia is a country rich and diverse in its culture, soil, landscape and people. Ancient soils define the Australian landscape and support complex fascinating ecosystems. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and soil science share a deep understanding of soil and its significance in the intricate and multifarious life cycle. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people often use soil for cultural expression, celebration and ritual. Soil scientists display soil sola to demonstrate it’s functional significance. Broader society would benefit from drawing together these two disparate perspectives, sharing their stories through the beauty of soil art and soil research.
This will be supported by 2015 having been declared by FAO-UNESCO as the “International Year of the Soil”
OUR GOALS FOR THE PROJECT
We are seeking to showcase a nationally significant project, developed in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples, that includes the following key components:
- National exhibition
- Showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia
- Showcase soils and soil scientists from across Australia
- Exciting interactive soil art and soil science display
- Demonstration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander link to country (land management, creation, working with nature, other examples)
- Celebration of soil, soil science and soil scientists
- A use of >50% soil or ochre in artworks
- Display dominant soil profile or solum used by artist to create the artwork
- Audiovisual
- Educational
Outcome options/considerations:
- Artistic expression: film, performance, visual, other.
- Collaborative content with younger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working with community elders
- Documentation (pamphlet, placard, poster) with a focus on:
- artwork and interpretation,
- artists, scientists, soil, cultural links to country,
- significance of soil to society
- significance of soil: how it effect vegetation and crops that are grown on soil.
- Documentary series
- Promotional material
- Touring exhibition
- Artist/scientist in residence during production of artworks as a community engagement component of project
- Educational resource development based on project outcomes
- Merchandise
Long term vision outcome options/considerations:
Cultural exchange: link with another country where Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soil art methods are used to express the culture of an international indigenous community.
Seeking a cultural partner:
We are seeking expressions of interest from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons or organisations that are interested in becoming a cultural partner to this project
WHO WE ARE
ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Dr Richard Doyle
President of the Soil Science Australia. Richard’s task is to co-lead the project with Dr Moroni and chair the organising committee.
Dr Martin Moroni
Scientist and manager. Martin’s task is to co-lead the project with Dr Doyle and assist the progress of the project.
Ms Linda Bennison
Linda is EO with Soil Science Australia and her task will to assist with communication via the various news portals of the society and to work with the various branch presidents to generate the “Australian Soil Palette” from the various State Soils.
CREATIVE DIRECTION
A boutique design and film studio, Mark&Tom would direct the design & manage construction of the exhibition modules, interpretation, exhibition programs, promotional materials, website, film documentation and photography.
OUR FUNDING APPROACH
Soil Science Australia has provided 10K of seed-funds to develop the project and support the appeal for support from key artistic, community and commercial funders as E[ART]H Project sponsors.
Further funding is required for the commission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to produce high quality works, collection and display of soils, production of film documentation, development of written interpretation and construction of the exhibition modules.
Funding could extend to developing educational resources, merchandising, marketing, and touring costs.
FOR MORE INFO
For more information contact Dr Martin Moroni:
THE E[ART]H PROJECT IS SUPPORTED BY SOIL SCIENCE AUSTRALIA
FULL SITE COMING SOON