Spring Sensibility
‘Spring‘ is stimulating. It is a time of nurturing new life, celebrating an existence and starting anew. Spring can represent a moment of repair or an enduring life force. Most importantly, Spring is a time of awakening and abundance. ‘Sensibility‘, by definition, is an awareness of emotional and moral feelings. This awareness, coupled with a responsiveness to aesthetic stimuli and tactile sensations, is vital to nurturing sense of worth and empathy across cultures. ‘Spring Sensibility‘ embraces Australia’s multicultural population and welcomes the introduction of new people to the Country’s unique landscape, by creating an emotional, sensory experience of cultural heritage and new beginnings.
Spring Sensibility Prototype Cast Stone, Gold Leaf, Sandstone, Wattle, Eucalyptus and Brass
“If people are unaware of the artistic aspects of their heritage, learning about them can be an important growing experience. If they are already aware of this heritage, they might find pleasure and self respect in sharing it”. Jo Mile Schuman (2002) ‘Art From Many Hands’.
Spring Sensibility has been informed by two key areas of research – Cultural diversity and the practice of art as a therapeutic process. The design aims to bring a positive embrace of cultural diversity to the Australian people and to promote the value of artistic (creative) activities as a therapeutic exercise to encourage a sense of connection to place and accountability. The piece has been designed as a ceremonial gift to be presented to immigrants upon completion of their Australian Citizenship Pledge. Immigrants would be presented with the gift and invited to plant the stone pieces (which are embedded with Australian flora), and place the sandstone marker with the newly planted artifact. As they build their new lives in Australia, they will be able to watch their plants grow in parallel with their dreams, and have a visual marker of their contribution to Australia. The design has many influences, from fibonacci, the welcome gesture of a hand shake, Australian seedlings and an egg holding new life. The most significant influence being an intention to have the artifact embody principles of the Aboriginal cultural system without physically reproducing stereotypical motifs. This has been achieved by drawing on the importance of the natural elements and national floral emblem, ‘wattle’, to the Australian environment, social identity and ‘spring’. It is believed the resilience of wattle represents the spirit of the Australian people. The first day of September (Spring) is National Wattle Day. The flower has become a symbol of remembrance and reflection and has antiseptic healing properties, linking the idea of ‘healing’ a nation and encouraging cultural diversity. The ‘seed’ component is embedded with the state floral emblem, for example NSW Waratah.
