B
I
G A An da,
T H I N G S U S T R A L I inquiry into and opportunities
waste, national for innovation in
F O A
R
pride, propaganthe resource sector.
MEAGHAN FERGUSON s3787233 GRAP 2920 WASTIFICATIONS
Big Things for Australia
About the Author
Big Things for Australia
Table of Contents
This booklet captures the narrative of a semester’s exploration and response to the international waste crisis. Meaghan is a 2nd year Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering student. Having grown up a part of a strong community in Central Victoria, commitment and responsibility to people and place inform a large part of Meaghan’s work and study.
Figure 2 - Meaghan Ferguson
A sense of burgeoning pride, responsibility and frustration with the state of the world at this point in 21st century has fueled Meaghan’s work as an environmentalist, Youth Advocate for YMCA Victoria as well as inspired her passionate pursuit of engineering and design studies. For Meaghan, engagement with the tertiary space represents a mechanism to better equip herself to play a part in the necessary changes that are to unfold across the next few decades; hopefully at a local level manifesting in the continued development of the family farm’s workshops and land.
Figure 3 - The Big Pickaxe, Thornbury
02
About the Author
22
A Proposal
04
Preface
24
The Proof in the Pudding
06
Wastifications - GRAP 2920
29
Actualization
08
Defining Waste
38
Speculative Conclusions
09
Assignment #1. Object Narrative
29
The Learner’s Journey
10
A Designer’s Reflections
22
List of Figures
12
Unpacking Modern Day Australia
22
References
20
Questions for a Crisis
Cover Page: Figure 1 - Post card of the Big Pineapple, Sunshine Coast NSW
3
The world is changing, fast.
Each year climatic indicators are reached and superseded.
People are displaced.
Cultures are forgotten.
And the economy grow, grow, grows.
Bigger is better and faster is finner.
You got a problem with that?
I hope so.
Figure 4 - Clouds Above Melbourne
Big Things for Australia
Big Things for Australia
G R A P 2 9 2 0 It’s February, semester 1, 2020 and things are about to get interesting. In Figure 12 - War on Waste host Craig Reucassel with six
least.
As part of the Industrial Design Ecologies curriculum theWastification course presented an opportunity to critically reflect upon the factors and narratives that make objects beautiful. The course also interogated how both economic and emotional value can be created when waste streams are intercepted. Critically, the course framed the significance of the national and international waste crisis. From e-waste products banished to the third world, to the millions of tonnes of medical waste generated in hospitals across Australia, the class forced reflection on the enormity of “waste generation" in the Anthropocene.
Figure 7 - Chek Toy, a 12-year-old Cambodian girl, scavenges to collect recyclable goods at a sprawling, 100-acre garbage dump in Phnom Penh on February 5, 2008
Figure 9 - Burning of e-waste at a dump site in Agbogbloshie - burning being the fastest, cheapest, and favored way to recycle copper from insulated wire
Figure 13 - Four Hills Landfill, Nashua, New Hampshire
6
at
Figure 8 - Medical waste
tonnes of fashion waste
Figure 5 - The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
GRAP-2920
7
Big Things for Australia
BUT WHAT EXACTLY IS “WASTE”?
Big Things for Australia
ASSIGNMENT 1: DEVELOPING OBJECT NARRATIVE
In developing a personal response to that question the designer is brought to the heart of the ‘wastification’ process.
WASTE; a term created by consumer-capitalist
culture to classify resources, materials and products as something unusable or unworthy of consideration. A material or product that has not been integrated into a system, process or cycle that gives it a use.
WASTE IS OVERSIGHT.
In consideration of ideals of object value and disposal, task 1 of the Wastification course called for students to interview an individual in relation to an object of personal significance to them. Conducting an analysis of both the physical and emotional value of the object, and then constructing either a true or fictitious narrative of the relationship between person and object. Unpacking the emotional significance of a blue Nintendo DS Lite on the personal growth of a housemate underscored further the absurdity and inhumanity of the e-waste crisis. Unusable and an outsider, irreplaceable to
expired to nonetheless the owner.
Through the reframing of waste and the waste crisis students were given pragmatic encouragement to rise, challenge and personally respond with their own ideals of wastification. Figure 10 - Extract from Assignment 1
8
9
B
ut how can any designer jump head first into such an enormously traumatic, clustfuck of human oversight?
You
have
to
know
where
you
are.
And so the process began, not with a riot, not with disposable gloves and a pick up stick, but with a pen, piece of paper and apprehensive desire to self reflect. Centring on the questions:
Who am I? And who am I in relation to this crisis?
Tentative answers:
A
young person born into a world of mass consumption, use, disuse and disposal.
Someone frustrated by the immense lack of foresight and general apathy that has created the impinging crisis. An Australian vaguely aware that pre-colonial cultures operated completely sustainably for a really long time. Someone who is not particularly proud of their status as a modern Australian, but who is completely grateful for the disproportionate good fortune that nationality represents. A scavenger. Someone who loves to make things. Someone who loves people.
Fig u
re 1 4
-W aste
cha i
n li
nk
wir e in
Aut um
n
Someone who loves when people feel heard, appreciated and included into something bigger than themselves. Someone who thinks people are inherently speculative and adaptive, and who believes our human power is inherently linked to our ability to embrace and role with this attitude. A part of a generation searching for rapid change.
Big Things for Australia
Big Things for Australia
UNDERSTANDING MODERN DAY AUSTRALIA After an interrogation of self and identity in relation to the crisis, a closer look at place was the logical next step. Asking the question; what does the waste crisis represent for Australia and what cultural and economic resources does the country hold to respond effectively?
Art and d e s i g n
Que the scrapbooking of modern day Australia:
Figure 17 - Kindred, 2018, Patricia Piccinini
Figure 15 - Margaret Olley, Ben Quilty
Figure 22 - Australian designed copper scoops
Figure 18 - Lounge collection by Australian design studio Skeehan Figure 21 - Jeff Koons's Flower Puppy
Figure 16 - Australian Home by Howard Arkley
Figure 19 - In the Ranges, Mount Hermannsburg, ca. 1950 Albert Namatjira Figure 20 - We are Here for You, Print by Natalie Jade
12
13
fierce public debate and reflection through his iconic comic series
Figure 25 - Contentious Australian writer and
Figure 28 - Character Sharon Strzelecki written by Magda
producer Chris Lily frequently inspires outrage and
Szurbanski for the hit satirical tv series Kath and Kim
inquiry in his satirical mocumentary series
Figure 27 - Dadaist comedian Barry Humphries’ successful construction of public character and cult identity Dame Edna.
14
Figure 24 - Comedians Tim Minchen, Aaron Chen and Nazeem Hussain have built highly successful careers in comedy playing to distinctly satirical themes of Australian comedy
15
l A RI K INIS M
Figure 26 - Writer and comic artist Michael Leunig has for multiple decades prompted
Big Things for Australia
S A TIR C I A L
Big Things for Australia
o P P ORT U NIS M
E X TR A C TI V E
Big Things for Australia
Big Things for Australia
Figure 30 - Prime Minister Scott Morrison in Federal Parliament expounding on the
Figure 29 - Map of the extensive mining deposits documented across the
virtues of coal and its role in Australian industry
Australian continent
Figure 33 - Gidgee Gold Mine, Western Australia
Figure 31 - Aboriginal heritage site in Juukan Gorge, which was blown up by dynamite as part of Rio Tinto’s expansion process in Pilbara Figure 34 - Glencore’s Liddell coal mine in the Upper Hunter
16
17
Figure 38 - Climate strikers rally for action on climate change as part of a rally of 300 000 around Australia, 2019
eight-hour work day, 1907
Figure 35 - Artist's representation of the Eureka Stockade of 1854 Figure 37 - KESAB (Keep South Australia Beautiful) project officer Andrew Thiele, SA co-ordinator for National Clean-Up Day, during the first year of the later global "clean-up" movement
Figure 39 - Protesters rally to successfully stop the damming of the Franklin River, hence forming the national Greens Party, 1981
18
19
RE B E L L ION
Figure 36 - Eight Hour Day Procession, part of the world leading labour movement for the
Big Things for Australia
C O L L E C TI V E
Big Things for Australia
Big Things for Australia
How much power does the individual have to address issues of mass waste? If the problem is systemic what systems work, and which don’t? See Aus recycling crisis 2019.
What about the resource passport, could it be possible to legislate for in Australia?
As is almost infallibly the case, talking, reading, and unpacking ideals of culture and place evoked more questions than answers. Making space for questions proved a critical design process as the following arose:
How are international social cooperatives responding within this space and is there capacity for a youth sector initiative in Australia to step in and effectively innovate? Bin Night’ is an event in the weekly calendar, could it be expanded upon as a date with one’s rubbish?
How is the CCP planning to address large scale waste stream processes?
How does the victory garden model transition itself to the useful repurposing of community waste?
How can we elevate the status of the handyperson/ repairer - as a potential extension to op-shop/ upcycling culture?
Australia is really good at mining. Could major change be evoked by having the Australian nation view waste as an opportunity to be exploited?
20
Big Things for Australia
Big Things for Australia
A
fter much deliberation, the cultural analysis, question asking and optimistic pragmatism gave way to an idea.
But Australia is typically very good at mining, and given the slow death of Australian manufacturing more and more factory space across the nation is in disuse.
What if a new era of Big Things was ushered in?
Could the construction of a Big Thing made entirely of waste materials be used as a national talking point to shift conversations of climate crisis and identity politics. Directing the national focus to more pragmatic, speculative conversations around how Australia is going to be able to best mobilize post-Corona era to reshape its industries to more circular models of resource consumption and recycling?
In the late 60s people flocked in the millions to gawk at The Big Banana, The Big Pineapple and The Big Marino (Leiper, 1997). Since then over 200 big things have been created, prompting controversy, and conversation in their wake. People get bored of the climate crisis, and not everyone has the empathy to care. But Australia is typically very good at mining, and given the slow death of Australian manufacturing more and more factory space across the nation is in disuse.
22
23
Big Things for Australia
Big Things for Australia
DOES THE AUSTRALIAN MINING AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO SHIFT THEIR PRAC-
COULD THE WORKFORCE CONSTRUCTIVELY RESPOND?
TISES TO THE EXPLOITATION OF RECYCLABLES? directed towards the uptake of reformed technology with an ethical national intent.
Pre-existing economic pressures and trends of underemployment within Australia could be drawn upon to propel a national adoption of waste-based innovation. Across the last 40 years, rates of underemployment have steadily grown (ABS, 2018). Undoubtedly, a ployed population
dissatisfied, could be
With this in mind It is perhaps unsurprising that calls for a Green New-Deal (Karp, 2020), and the redirection of funding spent on mining exploits continues to grow.
underemstrategically
In short, yes. Not only does Australia produce waste per capita well above the OECD average (Joe Pickin, 2018) but, in recent years various proponents of the mining industry have given critical voice to the potential and opportunity presented by a sector transition. In public bulletin The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy have openly decreed that:
“[As a country] well known for it is traditional mining and engineering services expertise, Australia could equally adapt their expertise in the fields to the extraction, recovery and processing of metals from secondary sources”. (Golev, 2015)
Figure 41 - Industrial aluminium recycling, shredder
In fact, their analysis points to the fact that each year AUD$ 2 billion of value is lost to landfilled metals alone – scratching the surface of the potential value waste materials present to the Australian economy.
24
Figure 40 - Graph of Australia's Employment and Unemployment Rates, Sep - 2008 to Sep - 2018. Source: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/australia-jobs-report-september-2018-10
25
Big Things for Australia
Big Things for Australia
WHAT ARE THE FORCES PROHIBITING MORE RADICAL NA-
WHAT PROOF IS THERE THAT THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC COULD LEVERAGE A MOVEMENT FOR THE TRANSITION OF
TIONAL ACTION?
THE RESOURCE SECTOR?
As a nation of many cultural backgrounds, fostering shared narratives for change and action is something Australia has a history of doing well. The success of the early union movement to secure an 8-hour workday highlights an embedded national attitude to collective resilience and action (Australian Council of Trade Unions, 2020). Similarly, the rallying of large groups of environmentalists in opposition to the construction of the Franklin River dam and the ensuing formation of the National Green’s party highlights the mobility of the Australian population (National Museum of Australia, 2020).
Figure 42 - Ex lobbyist and former chair of the Australian Coal Association Ian Dunlop (right) speaks to media during a press conference
Additionally, a report published by Sustainability Victoria has recently highlighted that now more than ever the Australian community is eager to engage with and understand waste management (Andrea Walton, 2019). prior to the
Climate Emergency Summit about the "expiry" of the coal industry
Undoubtedly, the modern Australian economy has been significantly bolstered by the mining sector. Since federation, mining and mineral export has comprised large portions of national export and GDP, aiding the nation’s economic survival through periods like the Global Financial Crisis (Garnett, 2015). It is perhaps the nation’s successful history of mining, and the tales of opportunity, sacrifice and hard work it typifies that has strengthened its place in the Australian national identity. Potentially
it
is
in
part
the
strength
In light of the success of the Clean Up Australia campaign (Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, 2020), these findings are incredibly exciting. They potentially highlight a renewed enthusiasm within the community to again mobilize, rally in the millions, donate thousands of hours of work and launch a global campaign addressing waste management.
Figure 38 - Climate strikers rally for action on climate change
status of established industry within the nation that has lead to below-average rates of government investment in research and development (OECD, 2020). In light of the fact that government commitment to R&D has long been recognised as a major factor in increasing both GDP growth and fostering ‘an Australian society with full employment and commitment to environmental standards, waste minimization, and wealth generation’ (James, 1997), this state of affairs raises significant cause for alarm.
and
26
as part of a rally of 300 000 around Australia, 2019
Figure 40 - Clean Up Australia Organisation and Movement Logo
27
Big Things for Australia
WHERE HAS THIS VARIETY OF ART ALREADY BEEN SUCCESSFUL?
Big Things for Australia
THE THEORY AT WORK For assignment 3 all that was left to do was build a big thing from found waste and test how the public responded.
To build a Big Thing:
1.
The Big Banana has for multiple decades provided the basis of a profitable business whilst establishing itself as a cultural icon and fostering conversation around the local banana industry (Leiper, 1997).
2.
Indeed, sociologist Steven Miles points to the fact that informed public art can: “provide new ways for … people to look into themselves and out of themselves, … reinvigorate the relationship between cultural place and personal identity and offer a permanent legacy.” (Miles, 2006)
3.
Decide on what.
Access how it shall be received and what people are talking about?
4.
As a point for further enthusiasm, public art that fosters community discussion of the potential of waste resources is already in its primary stages. The work of sculpture artists from around Australia was exhibited at the Melbourne Zoo at the end of 2019 (Schubert, 2019). Undoubtably, there is consistent evidence pointing towards the power of the public, and narratives unified through art, to create and sustain national dialogue. Dialogue that can help provoke action for change in the national resource sector.
Find the materials.
5. 6.
28
29
Develop a plan.
Make and evolve.
7.
Figure 43 - Discarded items reclaimed to create sculptures with a national message
Know why.
Place and track.
Big Things for Australia
Big Things for Australia
3. 1.
Assess how it shall be received and what people are talking about?
As brainstorming for the development of the Big Thing proceeded it was identified that it would be valuable to develop a better understanding of the discussions people were having. The responses would inform how likely people were to engage with any sculpture or installation.
Know why.
People are too fixated on identity politics and climate crisis. Greater space needs to be made within the national dialogue for pragmatic speculation. Such that industry is supported and encouraged to readily evolve and adapt systems that will better enable a transition to a more circular economic model of resource consumption.
When was the last time you had an optimistic speculative conversation about Australia’s future?
In order to capture current discourse a Google forms was created and completed by 97 respondants:
Figure 6 - Graphic of the circular economy model
Which age bracket are you a part of? Figure 45 - b) rate of speculative conversations amongst surveyed participants
2.
To what degree are you glad to live in or be Australian? Decide on what.
The Big Thing is going to be used to capture people’s attention and channel speculation on Australia’s resource future. As such the object itself needs to represent advancement, possibility, innovation, and wealth. It also needs to be big, controversial and eye catching. Ultimately the Big Thing built during the course of this project would represent a prototype of a larger potential sculpture development. The value of the prototype development would be highlighting a framework for creative waste intervention and public engagement.
Not one bit.
Figure 45 - a) Age demographics of surveyed participants
Resoundingly the surveyed group felt most grateful for the feeling of safety they have in Australia as well as the access to health and welfare safety nets. Gratitude for the natural environment and an egalitarian national identity that encompasses a recognised high degree of gender and LGBTQI+
To what degree are you proud to live in or be Australian? Not one bit.
With all of my heart!
equity was also common. Additionally, people referred to an underlying sense of opportunity, potential and social mobility that they were immensely grateful for.
Generally speaking the surveyed group felt conflicted in their sense of national pride. People recognised pride in the natural environment and some elements of the health, welfare and education system. They expressed disappointment with: Recognition and treaty with indigenous Australia; Inaction on climate change; Failure to respond effectively to the refugee crisis; Frustration with the “pathetic” state of national politics and media.
Figure 7 - Idea brainstorming sketches
30
With all of my heart!
31
Big Things for Australia
Big Things for Australia
The Big Banana?
Tacky, but I would totally visit it if I was nearby. l
Gratitude. Pride.
"Refugees,
manus island, politicians, treatment of women ie Julia Gillard,
Alan Jones, police state, nannying of citizens, bogans. Moccasins." "Best
country"
"Ifeelsafeinthiscountry,andI'matranspersonfromalowincomebackground. We have an incredibly dark history rooted in invasion, genocide and ostracism. All of those systems still exist today and have contributed to a nation which does not do its part socially (terrible rates of family violence, homelessness, racism, sexism), environmentally (carbon emissions are rising and we have no plans to change that) or economically (housing crisis! cost of education! etc etc). We held an offensive, exclusive, unnecessary plebiscite that created a state of ill mental health for the LGBTIAQ+ community. We reward exclusion, elitism and neoliberalism above all else. I love my country and my community and all of the beautiful things that make us unique (quokkas) and desirable (our beaches / outback / bush) and progressive (our youth empowerment initiatives eg Castlemaine being a cornerstone in the beginning of the global climate strikes!!!) But we have a long way to go before I can take pride in our society, and IMO it starts with decolonisation." "our treatment of refugees and our governments response to climate change make it hard to be truly proud of this country." "Racism,
lack
people,
current
"I
am
more
a
of
acknowledgement political
visitor
on
comfortable
"Would
probs
Aboriginal if
be
of
leaders land
that
and
was
prouder
First
Nations
being I
fucktards"
would
widely if
be
far
recognised."
I
was
kiwi"
"I am not proud of the Australian culture surrounding alcoholism and racism nor am I proud of the protection of Indigenous Australians in the law." "I come from NZ, and im prouder to be a new zealander, bc, well, Jacinda." "As such a rich country, we could be leading the way in so many issues! But we seem to be stuck with leaders that are scared of moving forward." "It’s not really pride...it’s home, and we’ve travelled a lot with many "our
alternate
living
community
especially)
makes
options (
me
and
still
castlemaine proud
of
where
choose and we
Australia." surrounds could
go."
"think Australia is on the whole terrible in the way it treats its marginalised peoples and minorities, but thank fuck I don’t live in America." "I do think this is a great country, but pride doesn't fit the equation (only luck)." "Great
Country,
some
dickheads
starting
to
pop
up"
"I am aware that living as I do in Australia affords me relatively high access to resources, but I am unable to take pride in this knowing that this nation and so much of what benefit from in it was built on the backs of less fortunate, innocent people and their suffering."
Obviously the education, welfare and health systems here are wonderful to benefit from. I also think Australia is a very beautiful country, and I do appreciate our national identity Australia is a beautiful country and I feel lucky to have so much space and nature around me. This is generally a very safe country as well, which is a plus! I’m safe, I have food on my plate, a roof over my head. The welfare system is flawed in a lot of respects but I am lucky. I feel supported. I have access to inexpensive birth control, have access to doctors and mental health services mostly free of charge. University is accessible financially. Guns are illegal. I think I’m very lucky and privileged in comparison to the rest of the world. I love our multicultural society, the weather is nice, we have a good health system and solid public education. I think as a white woman with a fairly high income, I enjoy a lot of the benefits of living in Australia. We are able to openly debate our differences. We have plenty to eat and a good medical system. We can live pretty much without fear. We are a society based upon core democratic principles and that isn’t an easy thing to do. I am glad we don’t have to navigate gun control laws, have religious freedom, can celebrate equality and diversity. Relatively safe, peaceful and equity amongst citizens. As a woman, my being born in Australia has enabled me to do anything I have wanted to do. I have not endured war. I have access to good healthcare. I have been able to afford whatever education I hav wanted. I feel very lucky to live in a very safe country. Space, beauty, relative wealth etc I’m free, happy, and healthy. Only a handful of other countries provide the culture of generosity and equity that Australia has. We are so lucky to live in a safe, free country
32
o
Improvement.
Pretty
Emissions reduction, carbon tax, abolishment of Australia Day, commencement, constitutional recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty, treaty negotiations, end to off shore processing, increased refugee intake, become a republic, elect a prime minister I can be proud of
What’s
Should
Genuine human leadership not being controlled by mining interests, a genuine Treaty
Pollies
We start to look after our planet not our pockets and measure our society by how we treat our most vulnerable (including flora and fauna).
Overpopulation/congestion
tolerance
Boguns.
more
smiling
A government to be elected that governs for the wellbeing of their people and the planet, instead of for money and their rich mates. More acknowledgment of our indigenous history, which would invoke the changing of the Australia Day date. Also more immediate and effective Government action to halt the progression of climate change as stated in the Paris agreement. Far more to reverse the wrongs against aboriginal people and others that Australia has benefited from
fight
for
we
believe
head
in
the
in
and
cities.
spark
for
fun
rich having undue amounts of power and influence Love
Will Change.
“
U
B
“Growth
of
outdoors,
greed
problems that are created by the top end of town.
centres�
the
privacy�
Aussie
sun
so that large politicial force that has guided the direction of the
The
country for so long will be gone.�
The
population
“Our
The
people
the
atti-
environment management.�
Hard
g
r
“Our
Australia’s
case
grow.
serving
I
?
suppose.
p
l
e attitudes
tries are going to change too,
as
whether
entertainment
not.�
to
self
o
fully respect traditional owners.�
some
continue are
know
e
“Hopefully we will finally right-
or
will
to
P
of
who
A government which is accessible to the layman, an overcoming of the cultural hegemony with which most are complicit with their own oppression. An improvement of infrastructure and awareness regarding the plight of people in remote indigenous communities. The complete annihilation of Rupert Murdoch and the subsequent recovery of unions and the realisation that global warming is not a political issue.
wanted
life Scomo
ignorance
People's
it’s
of
attitude
If the environment was made a priority.
indus-
up
way
like
and
agricultural
&
Individual Australians greed for $ and personal comfort The
and
coming
attitudes
Dickheads
resource
arts Party
People's
weather�
towards
the
Liberal
“all the boomers will be dead,
tudes
and
Stupidity. Blaming immigrants & poor people for
regional
perspective
sport
�
“Less “Crazier
beer,
university�
I
�Free
of
e of
tall
e
d
poppy
syndrome above
/
drugs
+
alcohol/
shopping
“I think Australia has a history
i don’t think there will be a lot of change in the
of long periods of conservative
way the government treats indigenous people.
government
monumental
there will be more to cover and provide them
global radical progression in short
with the bare minimum but no drastic change
stints, taking Whitlam for exam-
I think it will take some time for Australia to recognise
Recognition of first Nations people’s as first Nations people’s by the govt, such as amending the constitution
ple. I hope this happens again.�
First Nations sovereignty and that's distressing. I
“AI
thing�
also think Australia will need to move fast on climate
“Economic realignment both do-
change, and I'm fearful we're moving far too slowly.
Lead the way in sustainable climate action, gave a stronger public education and health system, more inclusive of all cultures especially our first nations people and to include their history in our nations history
mestically
The rich will be fine for the longest time.
A return to more centrist policies, which are currently labelled as leftist. Diving headlong into renewable energy and future technology, Singapore style. Releasing refugees.
will
with
be
a
and
bigger
internationally
We have to. If we don’t, we won’t exist.�
Opinions
“Technology will drag us forward,
and
of
the
older
and it’ll be fascinating to see how.�
Bigots. Economy driven. Those who long for the past.
“I think we’ll be socially more un-
Cars
derstanding and open, and hopefully
P
more environmentally responsible.�
The
“Finally switch over to almost en-
communities. I think this has been highlighted
tirely renewable energy sources.�
during
probably
a
t care
r that
covid-19
generation
most
aren't
politicians
gonna i
a
people and
I
h
a
hover
r
c
show hope
will
h to
y their
continue
could
feed
many
park
probably
go
monkeys.
looks there
cool,
one
day
We need more Landmarks around Australia, but
sand
super tiny, so that its a wild hunt for landmarks like geocaching and people go crazy ... yeah
No ttwing to other world leaders aka Trump banter
erotic.
bananary
a
theme
I’ll
The need for social interaction and humans
Aussie
Very
and h
big,
The
in
opinion. their
Newstead!
Queensland.
a
Soo
what
Public with
to
Big fuss about a banana, now that’s Australian
Won’t Change. to
in big
H
will
relocated
that be
It’s
Our
and
be
Should
Maybe if our government didn’t have so many fucking numpties
l good
Lol
Prompted by.
đ&#x;˜‚
Can
we
smoke
it’s
skin??
non
plussed
Bloody
You are often talking about universal basic income. And also coronavirus has prompted many conversations. The news It’s hard to talk about because there are so many different opinions about it all. Election talk / Covid19. Neil Mitchell C O V I D 1 9 Unprecedented times eg covid19 My darling Covid 19 I’m not even sure it would’ve been that far back Businesses reopening Government and how Australia responded to the Coronavirus situation The ABC news the news I cannot remeber it was so long ago C O V I D 1 9 We always discuss the future. E l e c t i o n People being kind and actually thinking about access & equity because of Covid-19 N e w s Covid19 pandemic Something good old scomo said A DR. Karl segment on Triple j My anxiety about climate change lolll Group discussion on crime Ongoing Covid-19 media Can’t remember Was talking to old economics classmate The federal election Distress about corona virus An article in a magazine. My frustration of self serving types. Your big thing project Discussion of the fragility of our society, and how leaders of Western countries will not continue have followers if they continue to treat them terrible. Col-
oath
mate
underrated
icon
F
u
n
Bogun
n
y
Tourist
crap.
Old
school
So many thoughts. It’s shit but strangely endearing. Also there’s other big things, like the big trout and that scary oversized koala at a servo. But big mountains & trees & rivers & escarpments are better. It’s
pretty
big
Never
been,
don’t
nificance,
and
probably
yellow
know
it’s
sig-
worth
a
look
Love
it
not
much
HAHAHA
yeh
not
I
bad
not
bad
love
!!! it
If you mean our Federal Leader, as stated before, not very highly. If mean the Big
Talking about.
B in Qld NSW, love the mini golf and refreshing
splash
đ&#x;’Ś
on
the
U B I A coal obsessed PM. How corona may reshape the world How to get rid of the crap politicians Unemployment - A huge chunk of the population who were working a job that offered no security. Where we should be looking to create jobs. Moving to a Living wage and educating population to stop punishing the poor etc Terrible leaders such as Scott Morrison and Donald Trump An uprising. Not doing what we’ve done for 20 years just because A change of government and possible improvement to environmental policies and energy policies The future of work in Australia and the shifting attitudes regarding essential services/ workers and entitlements $$$ Future alternative agricultural industries and drug law reform.
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I think it’s cool, but I am PETRIFIED of snakes and when I went to Coffs Harbour on a holiday as a little kid (like before primary school) I saw a MASSIVE snake slithering through the car park and I
Big Things for Australia
4.
Big Things for Australia
5.
Find the materials.
In total, locating and collecting materials for construction took 45 minutes. Encompassing a brief drive around the local neighbourhood and industrial estate in search of stacks of waste.
Develop a plan.
With the materials on hand it was necessary to take a step back to plan how they might be used. The initial strategy was to bend and fold the flue pieces into the form of the pick head which could then be affixed to a pole of joined timbers.
Before embarking on the scavenger hunt a list of candidate materials and their potential uses was developed. At this stage the potential to sculpt flayed tin cans, weld chain, or bend the panes of old white goods into new shapes were considered. The first stop on the hunt was the back of a domestic fire warehouse, which gave rise to 7m of staineless flues and 1 45 degree joiner piece.
This was iterated into the idea of rolling up the chain link wire into both handle and pick shape. However, it was ultimately decided that the flue could most easily be rammed into the ground for stability and that therefore the chain link wire and joiner piece would be best used to form the pick head.
The second stop was around a few corners at the site of a 2 year old fence upgrade site. Where 20ms of scrap chain link wire was located.
Figure 47 - Design Development Sketching Figure 46 - Collection of found local waste materials.
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Big Things for Australia
6.
Big Things for Australia
Make and evolve.
To enable efficient prototyping, 1 angle grinder, 2 sets of plyers, a wire cutter and wire strippers were ordered from the Brunswick Tool Library. Rough sketches were then used to plan how the flue might be manipulated to join the pick point head.
7.
In trialing the joining process a spare length of flue was used for practice tracing and cuts. After the first trial, it was recognized that a sharper angle could be cut around the bottom of the flue to form a tighter join.
Place and track.
As with any piece of tourist iconography, perhaps more important than the manufacture process is public reception. Thankfully the Big Pickaxe was finally placed in a front yard on a busy thoroughfare. Making it easy to observe that yes, people are willing to stop, look and photograph waste made sculpture.
To join everything together repurposed sections of chain link the wire was cut and thread through the wireframe and holes punched into the 45-degree joint piece.
Moreover, intrigue, scowls and laughter have readily given over to conversation about resource use and disuse. Suggesting that generally people are very enthusiastic in their speculations on where a circular economy could take Australia.
When punching holes through the joiner it was recognized that the metal was very puncture resistant and as such, it would be easiest to fold the flue tube over the axe head with plyers to join the pieces firmly together. In assessing the first iteration of the prototype it appeared very metallic, bold, and slightly brutal. Because the piece was intended to capture a sense of optimistic controversy and fun, in line with the other national big things, color needed to be added. A 40m length of discarded extension lead sourced from a waste transfer center presented an ideal method of achieving this. With the cord wrapped around the pick, a few timbers were staked into the ground, the pickaxe positioned over the top, and the job was done.
Figure 48 - Construction processes
Figure 49 – The Big Pickaxe placed in northern Melbourne
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Big Things for Australia
Big Things for Australia
S P ECUL AT I V E CONCLUSIONS
Figure 50 – The Big Pickaxe positioned on a public thoroughfare to inspire discussion and speculation on alternative resource futures for Australia
The last been within and
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three months have deeply interesting, both without this course.
The progression from frustrated speculation on the adoption of more circular economic practices through to the DIY construction of a backyard cultural landmark has consistently highlighted that, regardless of the scale of the waste crisis, the power to address the problem lies within every thinking individual. Moreover, the capacity to “think bigger” is present in every conversation directed beyond the trauma of the NOW to the possibility of TOMORROW. In acknowledgement of the power and influence market and media forces play within modern day Australia, now more than ever, the true value of speculative design to build coherent meaningful narrative for a nation which feels overwhelmed is clear. To this effect, the responsibility of the designer and community to step into this space to formulate political pressure, speculate, shape and intentionally determine the nation’s direction has never been more real.
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Big Things for Australia
A LEARNER’S JOURNEY
The Wastifications class laid firm build national momentum for change. foundations for me to gain a far deeper The realization of the opportunity presented understanding of the scale and nature by ‘waste’ materials and the power brought of the international waste crisis. to the designer and their ideas through As a young designer this knowledge is of speculative design are likely to have lasting immense value. As humanity’s existence in impacts on my future design practice. the Anthropocene continues to play out in a It is now almost impossible to envisage a manifold of destructive and and aggressive personal design future that does not, at its ways it would seem that the designer’s core, simultaneously work to help redirect responsibility, now more than ever, is to the destructive paths of used resource work within this space, and with these streams whilst advancing a mission resources to help redirect the consequences to strengthen compassionate industry of the poor design of times gone by. and craftsmanship within Australia. The course work and project of GRAP 2141 As an individual and designer I could has been instrumental in channeling my not be more excited to continue frustration as a young person within Australia in the pragmatic speculation for a towards more pragmatic speculative more robust, resource smart future. design approaches that can be directly actioned within my immediate sphere to
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Figure 51 - Prototype of recycled overalls to be produced by Central Victorian young people - worn by Amy Ferguson and Shanti Steventon Lorenzen
On a tangible level GRAP2141 has inspired renewed gusto to continue the development of my recycled materials overall label - upcycling materials and employing young people.
Big Things for Australia
Table of Figure
Figure 1 - Postcard of the Big Pineapple, Sunshine Coast NSW, c.1975. Source: https://frieze.com/article/picture-piece-australia%E2%80%99s-big- things Figure 2 - Meaghan Ferguson. Source: Lily Kingston Figure 3 - The Big Pickaxe, Thornbury. Source: Meaghan Ferguson Figure 4 - Clouds Above Melbourne. Source: Meaghan Ferguson Figure 5 - The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottsnowden/2019/05/30/300-mile-swim-through-the-great- pacific-garbage-patch-will-collect-data-on-plastic-pollution/#480fce96489f Figure 6 - Graphic of the circular economy model. Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation Figure 7 - Chek Toy, a 12-year-old Cambodian girl, scavenges to collect recyclable goods at a sprawling, 100-acre garbage dump in Phnom Penh on February 5, 2008. Source: Meg Mason Figure 8 - Medical waste generated because of patient diagnosis and treatment. Source: tiredearth.com Figure 9 - Burning of e-waste at a dump site in Agbogbloshie. Burning being the fastest, cheapest, and favored way to recycle copper from insulated wire. Source: ©Jon Spaull/SciDev.Net Figure 10 - Figure - Extract from Assignment 1. Source: Meaghan Ferguson Figure 11 - Tonnes of plastic waste in generated daily as a result of throwaway habits. Source: imageBroker/Rex/Shutterstock Figure 12 - War on Waste host Craig Reucassel with six tonnes of fashion waste. Source: BEN KING/ABC Figure 13 - Four Hills Landfill, Nashua, New Hampshire. Source: Mark Buckawicki Figure 14 - Waste chain link wire in Autumn. Source: Meaghan Ferguson Figure 15 - Margaret Olley, Ben Quilty. Source: artgallery.nsw.gov.au Figure 16 - Australian Home by Howard Arkley. Source: Culture Victoria Figure 17 - Kindred, 2018, Patricia Piccinini. Source: twma.com.au Figure 18 - Lounge collection by Australian design studio Skeehan. Source: https://www.yellowtrace.com.au/tom-skeehan-rebrand-canberra- studio-australian-design/ Figure 19 - Albert Namatjira, In the Ranges, Mount Hermannsburg, ca. 1950. Source: http://www.aboriginal-art.de/images/Namatjira_G634_S29. jpg Figure 20 - We are Here for You, Print by Natalie Jade. Source: https://theinteriorsaddict.com/contemporary-indigenous-australian-art-natalie- jade Figure 21 - Jeff Koons’s Flower Puppy. Source: Eric Sierins Figure 22 - Australian designed copper ice-cream scoops as a part of the OBJECT FUTURE II design exhibition. Source: https://www.indesignlive. com/home-slides/object-future-ii-future-of-australian-design Figure 23 - Artwork on the side of a silo Lake Tyrell by Drapl and The Zookeeper. Source: https://www.visitvictoria.com/regions/the-murray/ things-to-do/art-theatre-and-culture/public-art/sea-lake-silo Figure 24 - Comedians Tim Minchen, Aaron Chen and Nazeem Hussain have built highly successful careers in comedy playing to distinctly satiri cal themes of Australian comedy. Source: https://www.timminchin.com/2018/11/07/timll-be-appearing-in-orange-is-the-new-brow Figure 25 - Contentious Australian writer and producer Chris Lily frequently inspires outrage and inquiry in his satirical mocumentary series. Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0934320/mediaviewer/rm3883074048 Figure 26 - Writer and comic artist Michael Leunig has for multiple decades prompted fierce public debate and reflection through his iconic comic series. Source: https://www.thestore.com.au/journey Figure 27 - Dadaist comedian Barry Humphries’ successful construction of public character and cult identity Dame Edna. Source: https://new castlelive.com.au/hello-possums-dame-edna-everage-is-back-with-my-gorgeous-life-tour/ Figure 28 - Character Sharon Strzelecki written by Magda Szurbanski for the hit satirical tv series Kath and Kim. Source: https://australiapostcol lectables.com.au/stamp-issues/australian-legends-of-comedy Figure 29 - Map of the extensive mining deposits documented across the Australian continent. Source: Geoscience Australia Figure 30 - Prime Minister Scott Morrison in federal parliament expounding on the virtues of coal and its role in Australian industry. Source: https://theconversation.com/that-lump-of-coal-73046 Figure 31 - Aboriginal heritage site in Juukan Gorge, which was blown up by dynamite as part of Rio Tinto’s expansion process in Pilbara. Source: https://www.mining-technology.com/features/anthropologists-rio-tinto-aboriginal-site/ Figure 32 - Senior traditional owner Yvonne Margarula of the Mirarr people stands in front of the Ranger uranium mine’s pit number three in Kakadu national park. Source: Dominic O’Brien Figure 33 - Gidgee Gold Mine, Western Australia. Source: Peter Mac Figure 34 - Glencore’s Liddell coal mine in the Upper Hunter. Source: Dean Osland Figure 35 - Artist’s representation of the Eureka Stockade of 1854. Source: https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/spirit-eureka-and-australias- working-class-struggles Figure 36 - Eight Hour Day Procession, part of the world leading labour movement for the eight-hour work day, 1907. Source: https://www.nma. gov.au/defining-moments/resources/eight-hour-day Figure 37 - KESAB (Keep South Australia Beautiful) project officer Andrew Thiele, SA co-ordinator for National Clean-Up Day, during the first year of the later global “clean-up” movement. Source: News Corp Australia Figure 38 - Climate strikers rally for action on climate change as part of a rally of 300 000 around Australia, 2019. Source: The Australian Figure 39 - Protesters rally to successfully stop the damming of the Franklin River, hence forming the national Greens Party, 1981. Source: https:// www.nla.gov.au/unbound/the-franklin-blockade Figure 40 - Graph of Australia’s Employment and Unemployment Rates, Sep - 2008 to Sep - 2018. Source: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/ australia-jobs-report-september-2018-10 Figure 41 - Industrial aluminium recycling, shredder. Source: https://accessrecycling.com.au/access-to-build-shredder-in-adelaide/ Figure 42 - Ex lobbyist and former chair of the Australian Coal Association Ian Dunlop (right) speaks to media during a press conference prior to the Climate Emergency Summit about the “expiry” of the coal industry. Source: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/ex-co Figure 43 - Discarded items reclaimed to create sculptures with a national message. Source: Dylan Anderson, ABC News Figure 44 - Concept Brainstorming. Source: Meaghan Ferguson Figure 45 - a) Age demographics of surveyed participants b) rate of speculative conversations amongst surveyed participants. Source: Meaghan Ferguson - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1N5HiAN7tfvI7JDXc UEk4iZbCLO3L9QhwSV8bnWutKPE/edit#gid=1430579603 Figure 46 - Collection of found local waste materials. Source: Meaghan Ferguson Figure 47 - Design Development Sketching. Source: Meaghan Ferguson Figure 48 - Construction processes. Source: Meaghan Ferguson Figure 49 – The Big Pickaxe placed in northern Melbourne. Source: Meaghan Ferguson Figure 50 – The Big Pickaxe positioned on a public thoroughfare to inspire discussion and speculation on alternative resource futures for Austra lia. Source: Meaghan Ferguson Figure 51 - Prototype of recycled overalls to be produced by Central Victorian young people - worn by Amy Ferguson and Shanti Steventon.L
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References ABS. (2018). Labour Fource, Australia. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics Andrea Walton, R. M. (2019). Changes in Victorian attitudes and perceptions of the waste and resource recovery sector: 2016 to 2019. Melbourne: CSIRO. Australian Council of Trade Unions. (2020). History of Australian Unions. Retrieved from Australian Council of Trade Unions: https://www.actu.org.au/about-the-actu/ history-of-australian-unions Garnett, A. (2015, May 1). Australia’s ‘five pillar economy’: mining. Retrieved from The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/australias-five-pillar-economy-mining-40701 Golev, A. (2015, August). Wealth from Waste. Retrieved from AusIMM Bulletin: https:// www.ausimmbulletin.com/feature/wealth-from-waste/ James, M. L. (1997). Australia’s R&D - Australia’s Future?: The Case for a National Approach. Canberra: Parliament of Australia. Joe Pickin, P. R. (2018). National Waste Report 2018. Melbourne: Department of the Environment and Energy and Blue Environment Pty Ltd. Karp, P. (2020, February 4). Adam Bandt pledges to push for Australian Green New Deal after being elected Greens leader. The Guardian. Leiper, N. (1997). Big Success, Big Mistake, at Big Banana: Marketing Strategies in Road-Side Attractions and Theme Parks. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 103121. Miles, S. (2006). ‘Our Tyne’: Iconic Regeneration and the Revitalisation of Identity in NewcastleGateshead. Newcastle: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group. Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. (2020). ‘Clean up Australia’ and ‘Clean up the World’ promotional material. Retrieved from Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences: https://collection.maas.museum/object/358769 National Museum of Australia. (2020). Franklin Dam and the Greens. Retrieved from National Museum of Australia: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/ franklin-dam-and-the-greens OECD. (2020, April 6). Gross domestic spending on R&D (indicator). OECD Science. doi: 10.1787/d8b068b4-en. Schubert, S. (2019, December 6). Plastic pollution of Australia’s beaches and oceans inspires unusual art installation. ABC News.
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