Canberra's independent arts and culture magazine
ISSUE 03 | SPRING/SUMMER 2012
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something old, something new Words Erin Priestly & Photography Ash Peak
I am about to make a big call. Are you ready? Make Hack Void is one of Canberra’s best new creative organisations. There I said it. I can see the surprise on your face, dear reader. A few weeks ago I would not have believed it myself. However, before you address that angry letter to the editors, let me tell you a thing or two about who they are and what they do. Founded in 2009, Make Hack Void is Canberra’s first hackerspace. If this is a term that is somewhat foreign to your vocabulary, fear not. A hackerspace is simply a community workspace where likeminded members meet to collaborate, build and create. Their work is mostly focused on, but not limited to, the fields of computers, technology, digital and electronic art. This is a pretty broad concept, right? I agree, and so did Make Hack Void President Adam Thomas, when I met with him recently. “What we do is pretty vague,” he admitted, “It is essentially all user driven, so it is all based on the interests of the people that come and make use of the space.” The space that he was referring to is the Make Hack Void workshop. It is all concrete floors, wooden work benches and piles of what, to the untrained eye, appears to be junk. However, it is
this junk that is the basis of many of the creations themselves. As Adam put it, the philosophy of the hackerspace members is simple: “Let’s go break some things that somebody has thrown out, pull out what we want and make them do something interesting, new and different”. It is this ability to build something new out of the old and discarded that makes the hackerspace unique. After all, instead of always buying new materials why not make use of what we already have? Why not take what is already there and make it into something better? Looking around the workshop, the interpretation of something better varies greatly between members. At one workbench, hacker Angus is working on a discarded engraving machine that was deemed inoperable by its previous owner due to a lack of software. This did not stop Angus. He simply wrote the software himself and restored the machine to working order. Next to him is Chris, whose passion is props and replicas. One replica is a foam Game of Thrones suit of armour, which Chris explained is used in ‘Game of Foams’ battles (something which, admittedly, I am all too keen to take part in). Perhaps my favourite creation though is the hackerspace’s 3D printer. Make Hack Void Vice President, Alastair D’Silva, described its role to me succinctly. “It takes a 3D model from a computer and makes a physical replica of that in plastic.” Despite his nonchalant explanation, I am amazed at how such a machine can operate.
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know your vegies
IN THE SPIRIT OF ALL THINGS DELICIOUS AND SPRING-THEMED, ASHLEIGH WENT GIVES US THE LOW DOWN ON FOUR OF THE GREATEST SPRING VEGGIES: Words Ashleigh Went & Photography Masha Zaric
Leek We all know vegetables are good for us, but would you go so far as to wear them? Ask the Welsh people - many of whom wear leeks on St David’s Day. According to legend, in 1620 St David advised the Britons to wear leeks on their helmets to easily distinguish themselves from the Saxons in battle. Widely accepted as the national emblem of Wales, the leek even appeared in Shakespeare, where it is worn by Henry V. Throughout history leeks have been used to treat everything from battle wounds to victims of lighting strikes. The leek has also been used in cooking for thousands of years; it was introduced to the English by the Romans, along with onions and garlic. Leeks are best in late spring when they are young and tasty. Make sure you wash your leeks carefully as dirt and grit can build up between the leaves. The best way to do this is to slice the leek in half lengthways and then gently separate the leaves under a running tap. The white parts and the green leaves are equally delicious eaten in salads, soups, sauces and risottos. For a modern take on the humble leek, try it caramelised in a goat’s cheese tart - perfect with a glass of white wine at a spring picnic. Page 43 us folk Know Your Vegies
Rhubarb Rhubarb was used by the ancient Chinese for its medicinal properties. During the Ming dynasty, a Chinese general ate medicine made from poisonous rhubarb leaves in a failed attempt at suicide! Its origins in Europe can be traced back as early as 1778, when rhubarb was recorded to be a vegetable and used as a filling for tarts and pies. Rhubarb is grown all over the world because it can withstand almost any condition. The best time to buy rhubarb is around early summer when it’s at its most delicious. Although technically a vegetable, people often argue that the rhubarb is a fruit because it’s often used in desserts. Not just a great addition to mum’s crumble; rhubarb is delicious in jams, pies and tarts. In the words of the great John Cleese's 1960s ‘Rhubarb Tart Song’: “And so... re-member whether you’re a bee-kee-per, Accountant, tree surgeon, or informant, Our advice to you is always go to work, On a slice of rhubarb tart”
Fennel Fennel is actually classified as a herb and is thought to have originated in Europe. It’s believed that in ancient Greece, fennel was named ‘marathon’ to commemorate a battle fought against the Persians in a field of fennel in Marathon in 470 B.C. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks ate fennel to help weight loss and combat hunger pangs. Even in modern India, fennel seeds are eaten after meals to aid digestion and alleviate bad breath. In modern natural medicine it’s recommended for digestive purposes as well as for the relief of coughs and colds. Fennel has a taste similar to aniseed. The oil distilled from the fennel plant has a particularly strong flavour, and is used to flavour foods like ice cream and gum, and beauty products like perfume and soap. It’s even used in liqueurs such as Sambuca. Fennel is great with seafood, in sauces, salads and baked veggie dishes.
Artichoke Surprisingly, artichoke is actually classified as a flower, commonly recognised as a member of the daisy family. They were popular among the ancient Greeks, who believed that artichokes were adored by the ancient gods, particularly Zeus, for their flavour and beauty. This plant is so gorgeous it even looks great in place of flowers in a vase, which conveniently is a great way to store them before cooking them! You can buy whole globe artichokes from most green grocers, although they can look rather intimidating. Don’t be fooled though, under those prickly leaves lies a delicious tender heart, which is the edible part of this veg. They can be used in dips, salads, and pastas, as well as grilled or roasted, or even eaten alone. Artichokes can also be bought in jars or tins and make a great addition to an antipasto platter.
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BESSIE NUNES ARTIST PROFILE
Words Juliette Dudley & Photography Ash Peak
Page 45 us folk Bessie Nunes - Artist Profile
Bessie Nunes is an artist that you may not have heard of, but her work is on par with Australia’s finest illustrators. We recently met up with her at her Belconnen home to discover more about this elusive artist. On arrival we enter a wooden gate that opens onto a small, stylish, paved courtyard. Bessie greets us with her one-year-old son Sabian under her arm as two friendly English Bull Terriers rush up to examine us with curiosity. Her husband John minds Sabian as she shows us around. The recently renovated home features an eclectic mix of artwork, including an impressively large painted portrait of John by Bessie near the kitchen. There are also colourful abstract paintings by her father on the walls of the living area that have an intriguing sort of Jackson Pollock-meets-Fred Williams look about them. As we sit down with a pot of tea, Bessie tells us how she grew up on a property about 20 minutes from Moruya. Looking at her work you feel a sense of pride in being Australian, an appreciation of how lucky we are to live in a place with such unique plants and animals. Unlike many artists (this writer included) who have been swept up in the trend of drawing cute European woodland creatures, Bessie prefers to gather inspiration from the environment she grew up in. Bessie tells us that “Growing up in the bush, it was a different lifestyle. I’m very fond of and passionate about Australian animals and it’s a bit of nostalgia, it reminds me of my childhood”.
Living amongst bushland, Bessie explains that it wasn’t just the native mammals and birds she grew to admire. “When I was little we lived in a corn shed, which was later renovated by my Dad and other family members. Pythons used to live in the ceiling of my bedroom, but I wasn’t scared - I thought they were cool! We had lots of animals; sheep, cattle, horses – I guess I’ve always loved animals.” Having no TV or video games would seem like hell to some kids, but as a child Bessie relished the opportunity to play outside and explore nature. She tells us how she started drawing from a young age, and her parents were always very supportive, including entering her work in the Moruya Show. “My parents were always creative, and we used to draw together as a family.” Bessie tells us how she came to be in Canberra, “I moved to Canberra when I was seventeen turning eighteen, to study a Bachelor of Visual Art at ANU.” Following her studies at ANU she completed a Diploma of Education and became an art teacher. When asked if she talks to her students about her work she told us, “The senior kids sometimes ask me about it but I try not to push my own agenda. I introduce them to artists that I really like such as Brett Whitely, Klimt, Shawn Barber and Audrey Kawasaki. But I will admit I am very passionate about portraiture.” “Headspace [an annual exhibition of high school and college students’ art and photography held at the National Portrait Gallery from 2000-2010] used to be a great thing for kids to be involved with but they aren’t doing it anymore, which is a massive shame. I
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