My Visual Arts HSC major work sent me on a rollercoaster of physical an emotional ordeals. Drivers passing the Prince Alfred Park intersection in Parramatta often saw me shredding bits of posters off the wall, my mother miraculously survived 6 months with a bathtub filled with soaking scraps yet to be glued and collaged, staff from PDHPE allowed me to fish around the storerooms for old unused archery boards (centre block) and those from Indutrial Arts let me crash for drilling, sawing, nailing and gluing. Interestingly, and to my dismay, the ordeal did not contribute to my ATAR at all due to the fact that I forgot to start each new response in a new writing booklet in the written exam, and so VA became the discounted 11th and 12th units.

 

The Bayon Temple is at the centre of the Khmer kingdom of Angkor Thom in rural Cambodia, built in the 12th Century. It is recognisable largely from the four carved faces standing over 4 metres in height carved on most of some 50 towers, all with the same mysterious smile, believe to represent the face of the Buddha and King Javavarman VII. The towers are also richly ornate, with bas-reliefs depicting various battles and religious scenes, however, many carvings were never completed and Bayon underwent several additions and modifications under later kings. It isn't, in my opinion, refined precision, but the small and scattered intricacies which tie themselves together and give the faces a certain holistic elegance and serenity.

 

Whilst on a roadtrip, tensions developed as we crossed paths with a neighbouring family. My dad seized the opportunity to jump out of the car with the camera, sending them into a waddling frenzy up the street (in strictly ordered single-file), not before the mother (or father?) of the pack turned around hissing with neck craned and wings outstretched. The gutsy and selfless display melted my heart, reminding me that animals are often more human than we are.

 

 

 SHINYA KIMURA: Machine, accelerate, mechanical

 

 ANTONIO STRADIVARI: Instrument, trill, sensual

 

 

 JIRO ONO: Structure, refine, delicate