Hillscene 19 online

Winter Issue 19 * 2015

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The hillscene is created in partnership with Burrinja

Check out our website for lots of yarny goodness.

Juggling all the Winter Arts @ Burrinja Contents Under Pressure: Stencil Art in Australia from 2003 - 2010 16 May – 28 June Showcasing over 200 works by key artists from the movement including Psalm, Phibs, Haha, Meek, Meggs, Rone, Ghostpatrol and Satta. Plus stencil art workshop space, kids zone stencilling and more.

Burrinja Circus Festival – returns!

June 27 – July 5 Join us for 9 Days of school holiday circus fun for the whole family!

Sensational shows, performances and workshops for all; from tiny tots to adults.

Noni Hazlehurst in Mother Friday June 26

‘They said I was a bad mother. I didn’t know what they meant’ A fictional story from Daniel Keene based on the writings of Dorothy Hewett and the ancient Greek play Medea, Mother is a powerful, uniquely Australian piece of theatre.

Burrinja - Cnr Glenfern Rd & Matson Drive, Upwey ph: (03) 9754 8723 w: burrinja.org.au

burrinja - BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH ARTS

editor’s rave Winter is a time of year that many people don’t appreciate. It’s cold and often miserable. It’s dark in the mornings and the days are short. So we tend to stay inside, try to stay warm and hibernate a bit.

But for creative types this should be a recipe made in heaven. It’s just the sort of condition you need to be incredibly prolific. Less distractions from the outside world and plenty of time to get stuck into an artistic endeavour. You might even take a leaf out of our book and start up a collaboration with a fellow artist or maker.

This issue sees our collaboration expand to include three artists. Starting with Cameron Semmens’ poetry which was then given to CJ Dakis to be made into a garment, somewhere along the line she discussed it with Amy Middleton and then there were three. With Amy providing a few illustrations which were added to the garment and which I have used as design elements in this issue.

Last issue I did a redesign of the hillscene to freshen up its look and this issue has seen the introduction of a new member who has joined our editorial committee. We’re very excited to have Zoe Amber Preston join us as the youth voice of the hillscene.

She’s contributed articles for us before, as she’s interested in writing and photography.

Working with the hillscene will give her experience with both and add a fresh voice

to our magazine. She’ll be covering topics that are of interest to our younger (and young at heart) readers and talking to some of our young, emerging artists about their work.

We’ve also covered our usual ecclectic mix of music, artists, exhibitions, community projects, profiles, food and other topics which are happening throughout this season. Whether you like to stay in and stay cosy or get out and make the most of the brisk weather, there’s always something to get your creative juices flowing. Bring on the cold...

Editor/Designer Adriana Alvarez Cover Callum van Leeuwen Editorial Committee Ross Farnell, Amy Middleton, Gareth Hart, Zoe Amber Preston Contributors Callum van Leeuwen, Tiffaney Bishop, Gareth Hart, Amy Middleton, Rod Kenning, Zoe Amber Preston, Sidney Urban, Cameron Semmens, CJ Dakis, Su Rule, Megan Williamson, Archetype Studios, Tracey Roberts, Ross Farnell, JD Mittmann and Adriana Alvarez facebook: The Hillscene www.hillscene.com.au blog: hillsceneblog.wordpress.com/ For submission and advertising enquiries e: hillscene@westnet.com.au Printed by Ferntree Print on Envirocare 100gsm recycled paper. © Copyright 2015

The hillscene is created in partnership with Burrinja Proudly sponsored by

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WOW! Great Cover Words by Amy Middleton. Photos by Tiffaney Bishop.

Callum van Leeuwen is a man of few words, who lets his artwork do the talking. I first saw Callum’s artwork a few years ago, at tbC. His small sketches, doodles and concept drawings, embellished pages torn from sketchbooks and scraps of paper had been carefully pinned to the studio wall, giving them the acclamation they deserved. They captured an undercurrent of depth and richness that reminded me of the Old Masters and of times long past. Since then Callum has started studying Visual Arts at RMIT, and had his first solo exhibition at tbC. Tiffaney Bishop from tbC has been a big supporter of Callum and describes him as, “a smart, talented and adventurous young artist. He has a wonderfully eccentric style and a creative and intellectual maturity that makes his work unique and engaging - even at 19. Callum has become a significant collaborator at tbC, contributing to and leading a range of creative projects.”

Here is what Callum had to say about himself and his arts practice…

What three words would you use to describe you?

Reclusive. Outgoing. Contradictory.

Do you live in the Hills? If so, what do you love and loath about the environment you live in?

I live in Tecoma and I love how close we are to nature, but I dislike how far away we are from everything else.

How would you describe your creative practice?

My creative practice involves a lot of staring at the paper and making marks… until something interesting appears. It depends on where I am - I find some places very inspirational, and ideas come to me much faster. As an artist I am very much interested in the human figure, as well as how the

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sharp contrast of light can create harmony.

Please describe the space where you do most of your making?

I do most of my making at the moment at tbC, usually very late at night; I like to have the space to myself.

What inspires you as an artist?

I’m inspired by the interactions between everything around me, it’s sort of hard to explain, but to me everything works together like in a big concert.

Do you have any strange obsessions or bad habits that you care to share with out readers?

I often have chocolate sprinkle sandwiches for breakfast, something that my Dutch family has taught me.

Who are your creative heroes?

My creative heroes are Rembrandt and Eugène Carrière, at the moment at least.

Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

I always struggle with foresight, but doing art I’m sure, working something to support my work, less I win the lottery or something!

Where can people find more information on your practice or upcoming exhibition or projects?

My tumblr is callumvlart@tumblr.com, otherwise on the Tiffaney Bishop Collective Facebook page.

Something else you want us to know?

I would like anyone who sees me around to say hello and have a chat!

community hillsceneLIVE Development – in all it’s forms Words by Gareth Hart It is probably not news to any of you readers, however if any of you were living under a hillscene rock last year, you might not know that we ran three live art festivals, affectionately called hillsceneLIVE, to celebrate the launch of the Winter, Spring and Summer issues in 2014. Whilst these events were a huge success, and showcased dozens of experimental and emerging artists working in live/performance mediums, this just wasn’t enough for me.

So, in a moment of thought that went something like “how much more can I squeeze into this program?” an artist development strand seeded itself in my brain.

Like all good, creative ideas, the thought was insidious. Regular feedback from artists made it overwhelmingly clear that performance opportunities and support were one of only a myriad of development opportunities this community was calling for.

Three more strands have now been added to the hillsceneLIVE dream, including: • establishing a cultural leadership committee • regular shared studio sessions and networking for cross-collaborative artists • professional development workshops for artists and producers, facilitated by some extremely exciting industry professionals.

It is the latter of these that I would like to introduce you to.

Without meaning to downplay the value of it, independent art practice is hard. There is often less financial support than is available to large organisations. There are endless hours spent in the studio honing and crafting and shifting and confusing our practice. We don’t have an organisational structure around us to assist with the marketing, the production, the contracts, the media, the venue negotiations, the festival applications, the administration,

the finance….you get the point. I should divert briefly here and say: WE LOVE IT. That’s why we (I) do it. But to be our best artist selves, without having to spend 35 years at university studying all of these demands, sometimes a program like hillsceneLIVE can be ambitious enough to try and deliver all of these things.

The Professional Development series will see a monthly workshop investigating a particular strand of independent arts practice: From strengthening community partnerships, to the role of the curator/programmer, to innovative and engaging marketing, to empowering others with a shared vision. And probably a whole bunch more.

The program has been established to support, empower and develop independent arts practitioners across all forms. It is a program designed responsively to feed the needs and inject the future of independent arts practice.

At the core of the program, I continually ask myself: what if I can help create an arts ecology that produces artists of impeccable vision, extreme resilience, unflinching courage and excellent skills?

Big questions for a relatively small (but ambitious) program. Yet, circling around all of these ideas is the sense that these shifts in arts and culture begin at a community level. They begin here, with us. With you reading these words, and the conversation I hope to have with you in the near future.

Across the next four months, these workshops will be offered to artists, producers, supporters and believers in our local creative cultural sector. They are open to anyone with a curiosity to learn and develop.

The workshops will be led by four incredibly talented women from the Australian Arts Industry at large – keep an eye on the hillscene and Burrinja web pages for exciting program announcements.

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A new challenge takes the cake Words and photo by Amy Middleton In February this year, Sandra and her team from Kallista Tea Rooms took over the operations of Café Burrinja. The menu, décor and focus of the Cafe has been transformed into a light-filled, family-friendly Café that boasts a fine All Day Breakfast menu and other meal options fused with Indigenous flavours and ingredients.

I met up with Sandra to find out more about her. I expected a quick chat and a good cup of coffee… but what I didn’t expect was to discover the next Marvel Superhero!

Please oblige me for a moment whilst I allow my imagination run wild…

(Please read the below paragraph out-load using your most impressive Hollywood voice.)

Picture a gorgeous South American scientist with long dark hair and stark-white lab coat. At the first sign of danger the scientist transforms into a caffeine fuelled rev-head whose martial

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arts skills could make even the mightiest badguy quiver in his boots!

Well… THAT IS SANDRA! (I might be exaggerating just slightly but you get that I am impressed by this lovely lady right?)

Sandra seems to have mastered a number of highly sought after skills, and has made the most of the opportunities life has presented to her.

In my chat with Sandra she said, “I believe you only get one life, you should try lots of different things. Just because you love something, doesn’t mean it is the only thing you should do – there are lots of amazing things to try!”

Sandra has a Masters in Biochemistry, she majored in food microbiology. She also worked in a number of research areas including; vaccine development, AIDS research, Diabetes and fertility. From what I could tell, Sandra’s family is one of the most important things in her life and in order to spend more time with

her children when they were young, she left the science world and worked in different industries including property sales and investment, online market research and became a driving instructor with her own driving school. At the same time she helped manage the Golden Cobra School of Martial Arts and got her Black Belt!

Sandra feels her husband is a big part of why she has managed to accomplish so much. She said, “Carsen never says no, he supports any crazy idea I come up with and we have just celebrated 25 years of marriage. My hubby and I are a good team.”

There is also no denying how hard Sandra works. She is motivated by the freedom to live life on her own terms. “I want to work hard when I want to work hard – and to chill out when I want to as well. I don’t want to leave any stone unturned, I don’t want any regrets.”

Her eagerness to try something new was the catalyst for her to take ownership and manage the Kallista Tea Rooms over four years ago.

The success of the Tea Rooms over recent years gave Sandra the courage to take on Café Burrinja. “It (Café Burrinja) is a totally different business model to the Tea Rooms.

I like the challenge of operating a different style, décor and menu. We have a great team at Café Burrinja. The chefs are passionate about food and we pride ourselves in providing great service,” said Sandra.

The new menu really offers something for everyone, including fresh, organic, vegetarian and vegan options… as well as fabulous housemade cakes and pastries. Cafe Burrinja is open Tuesday to Sunday 9am - 5pm. Why don’t you pop in for a cuppa and meet the team!

The great Hills pie challenge

Words Rod Kenning. Photo Adriana Alvarez Leave your vegetarianism and gluten intolerance at the door! Hillscene is taking on that quintessential Australian icon to determine which is the best meat pie in the Hills. Hard job, but someone had to do it!

There’s nothing better than biting into a steaming hot meat pie as the weather starts to get colder. And Hills’ residents and visitors are spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing the best. With every village having at least one bakery, you’re never more than a few steps from a delicious winter warmer.

Ranging in age from 13 to 48, our crack team of pie aficionados loosened their belts and got stuck into four offerings, one each from bakeries ranging from Belgrave South to Mount Dandenong.

They rated each pie on look, meat to pastry ratio, taste of filling, taste and texture of pastry, meat to gravy ratio (or as our youngest judge called it “sloppiness”) and overall enjoyment.

Each element was scored from 1 (being the worst) to 5 (the best), giving an individual score out of thirty, and an overall score out of 120.

In order to make it a true test, our punters had no idea where each pie was purchased.

Less biased than a World Cup home ref, more accurate than the city train from Belgrave’s departure time, any reader can truly trust these results.

Each judge also had the opportunity to comment on each pie, providing essential information for when you have to make that final purchasing decision yourself.

And so (drumroll please), the results.

Pie 1 - A good looking pie, with consistent

high scores on look, meat to pastry ratio, and overall taste. When cut, the filling held in place.

You won’t be wearing this pie down the front of your jumper after the first bite. In the words of one of our judges: “yum”. Score: 88.5

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The judges from left Rod, Tiffany,

Wilson and Jason

Pie 2 - A bit paler than Pie 1, with a slightly

salty filling. Well-filled, with discernible chunks of meat. Taste scored at the lower end of the spectrum with the noticeable exception of one judge who gave it an enthusiastic 5. “Wouldn’t knock this one back on a lazy Sunday, ” stated one judge. Score: 78.5

Pie 3 - Great looking pie, but a bit

disappointing on every other criteria. The pastry was just this side of cooked, creating a kind of gluggy mouth feel. Not a total disaster, but certainly not the preferred offering. “The meat tastes almost pureed - no discernible chunks at all, ” was one judge’s apposite comment.

Score: 66

Pie 4 - Well this one certainly looked great,

with all judges proclaiming loud “ooohs”, as the pie was revealed from it’s brown paper bag.

Crisp, well-risen pastry, cooked to a goldenbrown, and a delicious aroma rising to willing noses. Unfortunately when cut, the filling oozed all over the place. This was certainly an eat it quick or wear the consequences offering.

“Tastes homemade – but wouldn’t want to try it without a knife and fork, ” stated one judge.

Score: 81.5 So, which bakery produced the winning pie?

We’re happy to announce that Tecoma Bakery at 1567 Burwood Highway provided the best pie on the day. So if you’ve a hankering for a good Aussie lunch on the go, you can’t go past this great establishment. And the custard tarts looked pretty good too!

street style

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These funky peeps were spotted out and about by Gareth Hart.

1. Pauline

Favourite Place to shop: Limerence (“there aren’t enough places in Belgrave!”)

2. Viv (with Arland) Favourite place to shop: Resale Therapy in Emerald.

Wilga & Epoch in Kallista.

3. Dave

Favourite place to shop : Limerence & Star bakery (for pulled pork bun) both in Belgrave

Check out the great bag styles.

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Noris Ariza Words by Zoe Amber Preston . Images by Noris Ariza.

I know many young people in the Dandenong Ranges who dream of becoming full-time artists after they finish school, however don’t believe they have the courage (or talent) to pursue their dream. 18 year old Noris Ariza is defying these beliefs by pursuing her dream career as a graphic designer, whilst also aiming to live a creative and happy life!

After finishing year 12 last year, Noris decided to study Communication Design at Swinburne University. She realised how much her knowledge about the design world expanded through a bit of focus, study and most importantly passion for the creative arts. The course has encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone whilst being presented with new, unusual challenges that she never thought she’d take up. Inspiring her to grow as a designer.

She is almost clear on what she would like to portray in her artworks yet allows some going with the flow to see where her imagination takes her. Most of Noris’ art focuses on animals, nature and the beauty of portraiture. Or simply playing around with patterns and geometric forms using acrylic, pastel or pencil.

Her photos, often taken locally, focus on naturalistic portraiture and authentic moments in time, capturing people’s unique features, expressions and personality.

She prefers to step out of her comfort zone to experiment with new materials, and has lately fallen in love with the intensity of colours contrasting against dark backgrounds, creating a magical aesthetic.

Heavily inspired by Indian culture, which features in a lot of her photographs and paintings, she combines her spiritual beliefs with the beauty of Mother Nature to make the audience feel appreciative of the natural world. Noris’s admiration of Indian culture is fuelled by its appreciation for the earth, vibrant colours, jewels, beautiful animals and lively festivals. She uses these aspects to portray a sense of happiness and colour in her artworks.

Like a lot of people, Noris views art as a therapeutic outlet, using it as a form of self-expression during the difficult teen years. “I view my art as a friend who listens to me, a place to express my inner moods and feelings, which I believe makes each artwork more meaningful for myself and hopefully to others”. Noris hopes to depict the combination of love, culture and nature through the variety of mediums she uses, capturing warm energies of colour, light and peace within life.

profile

PreLoved Tecoma 1539 Burwood Hwy Tecoma Ph: 04136 06898 PreLoved Tecoma is a recycled clothing and collectables store. We stock quality preloved label and vintage clothing for women, men and children, leather bags and boots, vinyl records, homewares, jewellery and other quirky bits and pieces at bargain prices.

Situated next to Bon Ton and across from the Salvos.

Expressing their own thoughts and experiences to make their art unique, and most importantly being true to themselves.

Noris Ariza’s art can be found at ‘Nori Photography’ on Facebook, one of the most magical pages on the net. www.facebook.com/noriariphotography Photo of Noris Ariza by Sidney Urban

“I love the beauty and peacefulness of the Dandenong Ranges,” says Noris who sees the Hills as the ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of life. Being immersed in the natural ambiance of trees, plants, hills and flowers is the perfect day for her. It’s also an ideal place for inspiration and photo-shoots. Her favourite place is Alfred Nicolas Gardens in Sherbrooke, where she took the photos for her Year 12 Media project which are featured here.

Despite Noris’s vast success and talent at such a young age, she is constantly expanding her creative mind and learning new things every day. She encourages other young artists to take every opportunity they can, such as joining an art class or looking at their art from a different perspective. “It’s important to step outside your comfort zone and explore your art from someone else’s shoes as a way to discover yourself and different forms of art.”

Noris hopes to inspire others to reflect their authentic self in their own artworks.

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Pilates Instructor

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10 week term - $120 Casual $15 per class Feel free to start at anytime during the term.

With over 15 yrs experience as a trained Pilates Instructor and a strong understanding of the human body, Kylie’s teaching is suitable for all levels.

Belgrave South Community House Mon 6pm Gilmore Court, Belgrave South - 9754 2274

Selby Community House Wed 6.30pm Wombalana Rd. Selby - 9754 2039

www.kyliehaberl.com.au

Sonic design boom After living inside the university structure for over 13 years as a teacher of composition at Monash University, local sound artist and composer Peter McIlwain returns to the haunts of a tertiary institution, this time on the other end of the spectrum: as a PhD candidate. Gareth Hart caught up with Peter to discuss all the ins and outs of his latest endeavour.

Peter instantly grabs my attention, being upfront that his current research is all about perception.

“As a choreographer and live art maker, perception is pretty much key to what I do”.

Expanding on this, Peter proposes that “the idea is to investigate the proposition that sound really is, at the perceptual level, the trace of gesture, energy and action. So does that tell us something about how we can design visual events? My PhD is about making the energy inside sound apparent through vision”

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Ambitious questions to say the least! To see a little snippet of how Peter makes “the energy inside sound apparent through vision” – check out ‘triggerfish’, ‘quobes’ and ‘antenafish’ on Peter’s vimeo channel below) He continues by asking “Is there a way I can create software creatures that have gestures that make sounds? Gestures are intimately linked with sound making.”

Amongst other accolades and endeavours, Peter has been President of the Australasian Computer Music Association, Lecturer in Composition and Music Technology at Monash University and was co-recipient for the 2012 Eureka Prize for Innovations in Computer Science. He is an artist entrenched in the need to ask questions, and obsessed with the possibility of answers.

The depth of which Peter speaks of composition and sound design is inspiring. Whilst on the topic of inspiring, you might recall a few of Peter’s previous projects, which I can attest still

sound

Photos by Neil Creek • www.neilcreek.com

inspires and sparks conversation around the streets of the hills. Namely his major project from 2013 – Imaginary Ornithology.

the fundamentals of music is the intake and exhalation of breath, which is actually the build up and release of energy”

That project, similarly ambitious, exciting and progressive, saw Peter work with the Burrinja Cultural Centre to produce a ground breaking community arts project. Imaginary Ornithology enabled visitors and people from the community to contribute bird sounds to a gallery installation using purpose built software that generated the sounds in real-time. It explored the idea that listening is every much a creative act as making sound. When we listen creatively we open doorways in our minds to places that might never be experienced otherwise.

At the core of Peter’s interest and commitment to his craft, lies a most important principle, being: “You should demand inquiry from an audience”.

And whilst he did not say it expressly himself, I have the sense that this artist demands the same thing of his practice and craft, as he does of an audience.

Later on down the path of our coffee, Peter simplifies everything in the most profound and exciting way for me, stating, “One of

My coffee chat with Peter went in weird and wonderful directions, intriguing me well beyond the 45 minutes we spoke for. Thus, I strongly recommend doing a little internet-stalking of Peter’s work, it’s fascinating stuff. See: www.sonicdesign.com.au or https://vimeo.com/petermcilwain

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This issues’ collaboration has morphed into a collaboration between three artists. The garment on the opposite page including Amy Middleton’s feather drawing that features on the back, was created by CJ Dakis in response to Cameron Semmens’ poem ‘Love is the New Black’. The piece also includes excepts from a number of Cameron’s other poems.

Love Is The New Black Above all WEAR LOVE – it’s more durable than denim, more cosy than track pants, more appealing than tuxedos, more revealing than Speedos, more protective than a suit of armour, more classy than a suit of Armani.

WEAR LOVE – it’s brand-less, it’s priceless!

Fits all sizes, suits all classes, flatters any figure, matches any moment.

WEAR LOVE – the couture of all virtues, the high fashion of the highly faithful: more beautifying than Cartier; more fragrant than Chanel; more The Thing than any bling.

WEAR LOVE – it’s more supportive than inner-soles; more clarifying than bi-focals.

DON’T put on cheap imitations: lust, like, attachment, sentiment, niceness, politeness, dutiful uprightness – put on REAL love.

DON’T put on ugg boot love, put on work boot love – steal-capped, hard-hat, garden-glove love.

DON’T put on swishy frou-frou love – put on gutsy true, true love.

REAL love is more overalls than lingerie.

Then, take this real love to the real world.

And when Hate puts the heat on, don’t cast off love – let it be your look!

And may your look of love remind everyone that hate is just a craze and so completely out of fashion.

And when dealing with explosive ranters, short-wicked nit-pickers and blustering bull-headed blatherers WEAR LOVE like a bomb-suit, and disarm with a gentle touch.

REAL LOVE is always on trend, always in fashion – the hottest, must-have outfit of every season.

It’s more becoming than the latest hairdo; more bedazzling than a sequined tutu.

WEAR LOVE like the Inuit wear gloves – every day; like the Peace Corps wear logos of doves – every day.

What more can I say than WEAR LOVE – I promise you, it’ll look good on you, it always does.

Cameron Semmens Cameron Semmens is a full time poet and performer living in Selby. He’s available for poetry workshops, see his website for full details www.webcameron.com Amy Middleton Amy draws from traditional media to produce objects, drawings, paintings and collage. Her aim is to acknowledge serendipitous threads in everyday life. www.amymiddleton.com CJ Dakis See her article on page 22.

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Photos by Amy Middleton

Collaborative trio

art

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Images: © 2014 Madman Production Company Pty Ltd, Old Mates Productions Pty Ltd, That Sugar Movie Pty Ltd, Screen Australia.

The Sweet stuff Words by Adriana Alvarez Sugar. Everyone is talking about it at the moment, with a multitude of information and books emerging about it’s negative impacts on our health. Then along comes ‘That Sugar Film’ made by local actor Damon Gameau which graphically shows the effects of sugar on a healthy body with a unique experiment.

To document the effects of a high sugar diet Damon eats only foods that are commonly perceived as ‘healthy’ and along the way speaks to experts about how this sweet substance is impacting our bodies. Presented in an informative yet entertaining style ‘That Sugar Film’ will forever change the way you think about ‘healthy’ food.

Have you always been interested in healthy eating?

Not at all, I loved Cokes, pizza and cigarettes.

Thankfully I met my girlfriend at just the right time and she really showed me how important food was to my physical and mental well being.

Why did you decide to make ‘That Sugar Film’?

I was aware of how many mixed messages there were in the public space about sugar.

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I thought the only way to know for myself was to do an experiment. I liked the idea of the aesthetics you could use too if telling a sugar story: lots of bright, neon colours with a slight Willy Wonka madness to it all.

Is not eating sugar just the latest dieting fad?

That’s what I wondered and is another reason I made the film. Turns out it’s not, we are all having way too much sugar. We don’t advocate removing or quitting sugar in the film but we are aiming for the recent World Health Organization recommendations of 6 teaspoons of added sugar a day. We are currently having between 30 and 40 so you can see we have some work to do.

There is such strong scientific evidence now supporting the dangers of excess sugar that it can no longer be called a fad diet.

Your film is fun and very accessible somewhere between documentary and entertainment. Did you intend it to be aimed at a younger audience?

That was always the plan. We had to find a way to get the message to the most number of people, especially children. It had to be entertaining or people would switch off and not recommend it to their friends.

film Your website mentions that this film can be shown at schools. Do you think it is more important than ever to teach kids from a very early age about healthy eating?

I think it should be our main priority. Many children establish their eating habits for life at an early age and if they develop a preference for sweet things then vegetables don’t stand a chance. We know the palate does adjust and so it’s very important that we get kids to enjoy natural flavours before they get hooked on the refined stuff. This is a big part of our schools program.

lots more science, tips and advice plus 30 of Zoe’s terrific recipes that helped me lower my sugar intake again after the experiment.

Some of the proceeds of the book are also going to an Aboriginal foundation we have set up to lower sugar consumption in the communities.

You also have a book. What’s included in the book that wasn’t in the film?

Well the first cut of the film was nearly 4 hours (ended up being 1.5 hours) so there is

What do you like about living in the hills?

We love the community feeling, the nature walks, the kind people and joy of watching the seasons change so dramatically.

Anything else you’d like to add?

It’s not about demonising sugar or saying don’t have it, the message is really about being more aware of where it is hidden so you can make smarter choices for yourself and your family.

To find out more about ‘That Sugar Film’ and book visit www.thatsugarfilm.com

Foundations Of Tai Chi For Beginners movement & thought, using breath & mindful concentration

10 Week course from Tuesday 14th July

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su@chigeneration.com.au

Cockatoo Shadows III by Elaine Pullum

Living with Climate Change 2050 A cultural project for our community Words by Dr Ross Farnell - Executive Director at Burrinja What is Living with Climate Change all about? It’s a twelve month project at Burrinja exploring through art and creative expression the changes we see on our near horizon: climate, fire, flora and fauna, built environment, social and cultural change.

Working together with the many creative and environment-based organisations, artists and activists in the region, Burrinja and the Voyages creative team are aiming to create a series of innovative projects incorporating music and composition, performing and visual arts and new media; tapping into our Hills region’s renowned creative community and environmental passion to delve into the varied visions of living in the Dandenong Ranges in 2050: our not-so-distant future.

Living with Climate Change seeks to explore, challenge and communicate at a creative level, bringing the arts to the fore and letting culture do what it does best; teasing out the nuances, the possibilities and the possible effects of climate change on how we live and where we live – in the Dandenong Ranges.

Burrinja wants to challenge our community to creatively re-frame our responses to climate change in the region, refocusing from the predominately negative to the

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productive through creative practice.

Our aim for Living with Climate Change is to engage our community through creative endeavour, expressions and dialogue, allowing the conversation about their own environment and community to evolve, develop and extend over time. In this way we hope to overcome the perception that there is little we can do locally about this global issue, moving beyond inertia to regional, community-based strategies.

The program has begun with a subtle exploration of the theme by the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios artists in their 2015 group exhibition at Burrinja: On the Brink; the tensity of change. Artists from 36 studios took many diverse approaches to the theme through their works; from the environmental to the metaphorical.

We are now developing our second key event for the project in 2015 – the Living with Climate Change Performance. Led by program artistic director Matthew Fagan this event will bring together musicians, choirs, performers and visual artists from across the region for a key participatory creative event at Burrinja in early October.

At our community project meeting great ideas and themes emerged. The key element to come through was the importance of creating a framework for the final performance event that encourages participation by those who attend, rather than setting up the conventional barriers between performers and audiences.

This allows a true self-reflective outcome and prioritises the community voice, their lived experiences and perspectives on ‘living with climate change in the Dandenong Ranges’.

Everyone believed it was important for the performance event to acknowledge our own active choices to live where we do, taking ownership of our responsibilities and our actions coming from those decisions to live within this environment.

This is to be a co-creation bringing together many different art forms, creativity and perspectives in a framework that encourages participation, improvisation and unknown live art outcomes.

From there we move into the Living with Climate Change Burrinja Biennale. Opening in early October at Burrinja this immersive and experiential exhibition will set up a series of provocations that elicit an authentic, nondirected audience response to the works and to the issues, both locally and globally. It will

Detail: Like Mountains made of steam by Brent Dakis.

bring together different mediums such as sound design and video, audience response art, and an ongoing workshop space. We will be seeking online responses to the exhibition that start conversations about Living with Climate Change.

We are also aiming to measure the carbon footprint of all of this activity, because we are all invested in the causes of climate change both globally and where we live.

To wrap things up we are looking to finish with a symposium with prominent creative, environment and sustainability leaders in the exhibition space that will further the debate and conversations.

If you would like to contribute to any part of the Living with Climate Change projects, get in touch with us at Burrinja via projects@burrinja.org.au This project is generously supported by a Yarra Ranges Council Arts & Heritage Development Grant

Detail: Solstice by Amy Laker Bruni.

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Photo by Megan Williamson

Tai Chi energy

I have been hearing a lot about a new form of Tai Chi lately called Qi Gong.

What better person to explain both these forms of mindful movement than one of our local practicioners and teachers. Su Rule from Chi Generation explains how they work and their many benefits.

Tai Chi • There are so many facets & layers to tai chi; it’s hard to know where to start to explain it. The greatest benefit overall for me is the self awareness I have gained from learning, practicing & teaching it.

At the start, Tai Chi is a physical exercise that gets your body moving in strange but natural ways. Coordinating arms with legs, following the lead from the waist, aligning the body to correct posture, taking control of weight transfer, becoming stronger, more flexible, more coordinated.

While learning the movements, (which in combination are called forms or routines) you find focus, deeper concentration, patience & discipline.

You, in fact, are learning to slow down, gather your senses, making everything else wait, putting your thoughts & worries & constant brain-chatter on hold. From this comes a more relaxed mind with a greater capacity for enjoying life.

Once the movements have been learned, you will be able to practice the form in a meditative state - allowing the body to move with ease from its own memory, allowing the mind to be still and so allowing you to enjoy yourself in harmony with mind & body.

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There are many styles of Tai Chi & I have trained in several traditional & contemporary styles.

Wudang style, however, is the first tai chi, the most natural & fluid of Tai Chi styles & central to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice. I have studied this style for 7 years now & use it as the foundation of my classes.

Qi Gong • Qi Gong has developed through TCM as a preventative & restorative exercise, helping to open the meridians & acupressure points, enabling the smooth & constant flow of chi (qi). TCM works on the premise that our life force or chi is fundamental to our existence & thus the focus is on gathering, preserving, repairing, recovering & maintaining a healthy flow of chi through our systems. Meridians are the main carriers of chi and have been mapped out through the human body much the same as our blood & lymph systems.

Each meridian is linked to a specific organ: eg Heart, Lung, Stomach, Kidney, etc. Specific points along these meridians are activated or opened (either with movement, massage or needles acupuncture) in order to release blockages and so ease pain and recover from disease.

The movements of Qi Gong are designed specifically to move chi along these meridians, with focus on the breath & a calm mind. It allows for stretching of muscles & tendons, extending & reducing the frame; expanding & contracting the organs & creating flow through all the circulatory systems with its range of movement. It’s a great practice for restoring energy levels if you’re feeling generally run-down & highly recommended for recovery from illness.

Dao Yin is just one of many Qi Gong forms.

I teach this form specifically on Monday mornings in Belgrave but also incorporate its practice in tai chi classes.

Visit www.chigeneration.com.au to find out more.

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Still in Love Words by Adriana Alvarez.

It’s hard to believe Limerence is going to be 5 in August. I remember when they first opened and I went in with the first issue of the hillscene, they got it straight away (when plenty of others didn’t) and were very supportive from the beginning. And that’s the way it’s been ever since with Limerence encouraging the artistic community in the hills for 5 creative years and still going strong.

Speaking with CJ Dakis I got an insight into how Limerence has evolved over the past year. Originally started by Brent and CJ Dakis, in September last year it came to a turning point. At the time Brent had decided to take a step back from the business to focus on his jewellery making and so they decided to sell the business. They had a few offers which all fell through for one reason or another and that’s when CJ after much soul searching decided to take the business on herself. “It took a lot of reflection from me to realise that I still really love it and still really want to be there. I needed to risk losing it to realise how much I needed it and the outpouring of support from the community was really incredible. To have so many people saying ‘No you can’t close, this place is the centre of my art universe’. So it’s nice to actually hear how much other people value what we’ve been

CJ at Limerence

trying to do,” says CJ. “So that was a big factor in my decision to keep the business.”

While Brent is no longer part of the business he still lends his support and stocks his jewellery in the store. “I think a lot of it was also to do with my own confidence to say ‘Yes I can do this on my own.’ And giving myself permission to try to do it all, just because there were certain things within the business that I hadn’t done before didn’t mean I couldn’t. I just had to be brave enough and confident enough to say, I can do it but I’ll do it my way now.”

That new found confidence has also translated to CJ’s other passion, her fashion label Twisted Fig. A passion that has been a bit on hold partly due to the requirements of running a business and partly due to her having small children. They opened the store when Hunter was only 4 months old and had Ivy a few years later. “I always had a baby with me, even when I was in there at down times Photos by Archetype Studios

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Clothing by Twisted Fig. Shoes from Passion for Shoes - Belgrave. Necklace Brent Dakis Jewellery and earrings Nanna Woo Handmade - both available at Limerence.

I had a kid strapped to the front of me. So trying to find that mental space to be creative when you’re juggling a business and two children is challenging to say the least. I’ve spoken to quite a few friends with kids about this idea that when your kids get to a certain age you start to kind of exit the fog a little bit and you start to reconnect with your creative self again and I think what comes is purer.”

CJ feels, like many people, once you have children your ideas about what’s important changes and it adds another dimension to your work.

It has also influenced her choices of what to stock in the store. Choosing to stock pieces that are beautiful, quality and ethically made that will last more than one season but are practical as well. This has always been Limerence’s goal and continues to be an integral part of the business supporting Australian handmade artists and makers.

Since moving house and “having to face the scary reality of how much fabric she owns,” CJ is going back to her roots. Using old furnishing fabrics, velvets and tweeds to create lush, interesting garments that evoke a response from people. “I think the feeling of nostalgia is just delicious, and they don’t create fabric like they used to, so using vintage fabrics for me is not just an amazing way to tell a story but it’s a much more ethical way to do things,” says CJ. When she needs to buy new fabrics, she’ll only use

industry excess fabric as a statement against the unnecessary nature of waste associated with the textile industry.

Now with a space for working at Limerence, CJ has set herself a deadline to create enough new stock to take to Hustle and Scout, a designer’s market in Tasmania in June.

Along with other designer’s work which are represented by Limerence. “I want to be able to do more custom made stuff, I want to be able to do more expressive stuff under my own label and just keep evolving and changing based on what I’m passionate about but also based on what my customers are seeking.”

It’s going to be a big year for CJ and Limerence with plans for a big 5th Birthday party coming up in August. “I plan to invite a whole range of artists that have had a relationship with Limerence in some way to contribute a piece for a group show and then just have a big party and invite all of my stockists, all of my customers, all of my artists and people that have supported and engaged with Limerence since the beginning,” says CJ. With ‘End of the Line’ still on the horizon at the end of the year and creating more stock for her own label it’s going to be a very creative time ahead for CJ. I hope we’ll be celebrating the evolving Limerence in Belgrave for many years to come.

Limerence - 2/1642 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave. www.limerence.com.au

Folk Club thrives at Selby Words by Tracey Robert. Photos courtesy of Selby Folk Club.

The first time I went to check out Selby Folk Club back in 2002, I wandered in, was introduced to some guy called Alex who promptly asked me “Can you sing?”

So began my foray into the folk scene and ever since that night I’ve been hooked on Selby Folk Club (SFC). It’s small, intimate and friendly and it’s a bit like going to a party every month and then there’s this concert in the lounge room where you can hear a pin drop. Such is the respect given to performers in this delightful institution which has been going strong for nearly 40 years!

It all started back in 1978 as a music gathering arranged by Francois Rojeon, a local musician, artist and teacher, charging a whopping 50c at the door! He brought together local musicians, the Kallista Folk Group, added a multicultural flavour then got hold of an Arts Council grant to help pay performers a decent fee (good man!) and for the last 20 years a small but dedicated team of local folk-music lovers, headed by David Miller, Lyn Kirby and Alex Ruschanow, along with Phil Young, Ron King, Dave Hoskin and the lovely Gail on the door, have been instrumental in keeping it alive as

one of the longest running folk clubs in the country.

On the first Friday of every month (except January), quality musicians headlining on the bill make their way up to Selby Community House in the quiet little Minak bush reserve to delight audiences with their songs, poems and stories. They are complemented by a pretty good support act and a variety of short spot acts which kick off the night ranging from beginners to the occasional pro who wants to trial a new song or two. This formula enables audiences to enjoy professional musicians, (some touring on the international festival circuit), as well as supporting emerging artists who are beginning their musical journey and want a safe space to get the match practice.

So, for a musician, the pattern seems to be that if you’ve got the goods, are passionate about your career, work hard and do all the right stuff, you can potentially work your way up from spot act to support act to headliner, get into the festival circuit, deck out a combi van (or a big red truck) and go touring… Which is the proverbial “folk-muso fantasy” and in fact, a challenging but rewarding reality for some.

Photo of SelbyFest by John Weeks

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Francois Rojeon

The house is a friendly place where audiences are immediately welcomed into a relaxed environment, it always feels warm, cosy and inviting with its bright colours (and even more brightly dressed members of the audience) – imbued with the irresistible wafts of Lyn’s delicious gluhwein coming from the kitchen – and there’s always tea, coffee and yummy home-made slices for a gold coin or two.

Each September SFC migrates to a larger venue for the annual “Big Sing” – a concert showcasing several a cappella groups (from trio combos to full-blown choirs) performing in one night. Quite the vocal feast!

SFC is also an integral part of the annual SelbyFest – a wonderful festive concoction of sound and colour with music, art, craft, food, dance, activities and market stalls. They provide a concert stage with live-to-air broadcasting and recordings for 3MDR 97.1FM, the local community radio station in Emerald. David, Ron and Phil all host weekly radio programs too – interviewing and playing the music of

local, national and international folk acts and promoting the performers at SFC. No doubt about it – these guys are folk nuts!

While SFC is certainly a well-established institution up here in the hills it also spreads it’s wings into regional areas too – the usual suspects created and still run the major Songwriting Competitions at Maldon Folk Festival every year. So they get around!

Musicians and audience alike love Selby Folk Club – I certainly love performing there, I love catching up with friends and experiencing great music (and Alex’s off-the-wall poetry) amid the wonderful colours of our beautiful hills community – and I really love the gluhwein on a cold Wintery night …and it’s only a 6 minute drive from home!

Selby Folk Club is on the first Friday of every month (except January) at Selby Community House - Minak Reserve, Charles St, Selby 8pm. Tix $10/$8 www.selbyfolkclub.com.au Tracey Roberts and Bruce Watson are performing there together on August 7.

featuring local talent is our passion experience a ‘hillscene’ moment

www.hillsceneblog.wordpress.com

exhibition Contents Under Pressure Words by JD Mittmann. Images by Amy Middleton In the first decade a new art phenomenon hit the streets of Melbourne. Thousands of stencil paintings appeared on walls in laneways and alleyways across the city.

Much of these have been painted over since and lost forever.

Many of the early stencils were simple, sprayed usually as a one-layer on a coloured background. Graphic design ideas and traditional forms of freehand graffiti influenced many artists and were included in the creative process. The result was a growing number of well-crafted works, which appeared on boards and small canvasses. These were initially ‘displayed’ in Fitzroy’s Edinburgh Garden rotunda, were artists got together for a weekly meeting.

On these occasions they would boast about where they had done some cool stencils, exchange ideas on great locations and talk tricks and tools of the trade. At the end of a boozy night works were eagerly exchanged.

Money did not change hands.

Like mushrooms, stencil art exhibitions popped up in and around town. Early Space, a small up-stairs room above the Kent St Bar in Smith St, Collingwood was the first to run a regular program. So was Hush Hush Gallery in Hosier Lane, an upstairs venue, so tiny it would not fit 10 people at a time.

Empty Space ‘shows’ were another form of exhibition, a sort of live happening which occurred occasionally in half-demolished buildings and derelict warehouses, usually put together by artists, who were also the main audience. Everyone was welcome, provided you knew where and when, and

not intolerant to spray fumes. BYO spray cans and booze.

While the spread of stencil has been accredited to Melbourne’s topography (decentralised Sydney, and the city of Sandstone Adelaide did not offer the same ‘canvas’), its laneway system and mild climate, its popularity has been attributed to the art-mindedness and tolerant openness of Melbournians.

The figurative character of stencil art made it accessible. Unconventional, diverse, whimsical, often political and humorous, stencils were easy to ‘read’, unlike the graffiti art people were seeing from the trains. Tags were annoying, stencils amusing.

Stencils were quickly applied, repetition was the name of the game. Repetition resulted in proliferation, proliferation caused notoriety. Everyone can cut a stencil and create a painting. Many felt inspired! The democratic nature of the art form was reflected on the street, in its events and websites alike. Production and distribution lay in the hands of the creative, and found expressions typical of DIY underground and sub-culture. And it was grungy and very exciting.

Contents Under Pressure: Stencil Art in Australia from 2003 – 2010 is on show at Burrinja until June 28, Curated by JD Mittmann, director of the Melbourne Stencil Festival 2004 - 2008. Showcasing over 200 works from private collections by key artists including Psalm, Phibs, Haha, Meek, Meggs, Rone, Ghostpatrol, Satta, Miso and others. www.burrinja.org.au

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Contents Under Pressure: Stencil Art in Australia from 2003 – 2010 at Burrinja until June 28