New project lights up country connection

MORE than sixteen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are working on a new project showcasing important aspects of Dja Dja Warrung culture.

Djaara Lights, a collaboration between the City of Greater Bendigo and Djaara will see several light-based artworks created using projections and augmented reality light up Oscars Walk.

Dja Dja Warrung artist Drew Berick and Yorta Yorta artist Troy Firebrace have helped developed initial designs and are keen to see the project, showcasing the Dja Dja Warrung Six Seasons story, develop.

“It’s showcasing Dja Dja Warrung culture, it’s a representation of the six seasons, which is a Dja Dja Warrung way of thinking as opposed to the western concept of the four seasons,” Mr Berick said.

“There’s indicators of access to food, fibre, water which are really key elements for Djaara people.”

He also said the project works in a way for students to educate themselves and each other through their artwork.

“The most important part is the idea of Aboriginal culture is to educate young people,” he said.

“Myself and Troy Firebrace, we’re able to educate the children through the story of the six seasons of Djaara culture, then through their involvement not only are we educating them but they can go and educate their own families and other members of the community.”

Students work at Bendigo Tech School using laptops to design and create their images, based on their allocated elements of Dja Dja Warrung culture.

Year 12 student at Catherine McAulley College Tony Males said the public artworks provide an opportunity for younger people to connect with each other and express their culture.

“We don’t really have a lot of things that we get together and do, and this is bringing a lot of the younger kids together, introducing them to each other so we can build those bonds,” he said.

Bendigo Senior Secondary College student and budding artist Leroy Miller said he loves being to work and create using technology at the Bendigo Tech School.

“It’s a great opportunity for students to try something different to the usual VCE or high school days and demonstrate artwork and amazing artist ability,” he said.

“As an arts student I’m always involved in some kind of art but it’s different to actually work with AR and 3D artwork but it’s a strange new field that I’m excited to work in.”

Djaara CEO Rodney Carter said the technological collaboration on the project is crucial to Djaara Lights coming to fruition.

“This is a technically challenging project that wouldn’t be possible without a diverse project team,” he said.

“We’re thrilled that renowned Indigenous edutech company Indigital will be in Bendigo and that specialist education and technical partners Bendigo Tech School and ACMI will be on hand to create the Six Seasons’ artworks.”

Djaara Lights is expected to be completed and installed at the end of 2021 and will be on display for at least three years in the CBD.