Library
Exhibitions: 2007
- Crystals: the Slow Dance
- Carnivale de Viareggio
- Gallipoli: a Turkish View
- Joseph Conrad: 150th Anniversary
- Imperial Eyes 1807
- The Mosaic Middle East
26 February - 1 April
Crystals: the Slow Dance
A photographic exhibition by Dr. David Durney, Honorary Associate, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Macquarie University. High definition photographs of the mechanisms of crystal growth are revealed through the use of petrological microscopes. The majority of the images are 35 mm diapositives that have been converted to digital format. Extremely minor digital adjustments have been made ensuring that the colours and compositions revealed in the exhibition are similar to those seen through the microscope.
22 June- 23 July
Carnivale de Viareggio
Photographic exhibition examining the history and traditions of the Viareggio Carnival in Tuscany, Italy.
The town of Viareggio, situated along the northern reaches of the Tuscan coast, just east of Lucca, began to gain fame as a resort in the 1860s. A group of wealthy young men from the town came up with the idea of a special Carnevale celebration in 1873. They built and decorated floats and then held a parade along the town's main streets. Several citizens of Viareggio used this parade as an opportunity to protest against excessive taxation. Naturally they were unwilling to be identified by the authorities, so the protesters wore masks, thus inaugurating the Carnevale tradition of masked revellers. This original event was celebrated on Shrove Tuesday (and the previous Sunday).
By the beginning of the C20th the popularity of both the town and its Carnevale had grown considerably. The tradition of holding a parade featuring huge and fantastical floats flourished. The floats were originally built by Viareggio's shipbuilders, who were skilled in carpentry and ironwork. They translated their maritime skills into the construction of fabulous parade floats, using them as a vehicle to lampoon popular figures of the day. The event grew, attracting early tourists in growing numbers, until the onset of World War I. Harder times, a lack of resources, and a seriously diminished tourist economy nearly brought Viareggio's Carnevale to an end; but the event was popular enough to survive the difficulties and flourished again after the war.
The year 1921 marked a significant year in the history of Viareggio's Carnevale. The Grand Parade marched along The Mall, the name used for the towns two beautiful avenues that parallel the sea front, and Carnevale's official song, La Coppa di Champagne, or 'The Glass of Champagne', was adopted. In 1925 the use of Papier-Mache was introduced by the artisans of Viareggio; the floats, now able to utilize this light but strong material, became more elaborate. The organizers of the parades also began to use Papier-Mache to construct large, fantastical masks that were easy for their wearers to march under. The Carnevale masks and floats of Viareggio quickly became an art form.
Carnevale fell on hard times again with the onset of World War II, but made a revival in the postwar period, in part as a result of Italian television beginning to televise the parades as early as 1954. Large hangars and warehouse spaces were created that allowed for the floats to be planned and worked on for the entire year before each Carnevale.
In 2000, Viareggio opened a tourist attraction that allows visits to the various Carnivale hangars, in effect creating a living museum where Carnevale can be enjoyed the year round. The area also features a Papier-Mache school and various performances, as well as museum depicting the history of Carnevale di Viareggio. Today Viareggio's Carnevale is more popular than ever before. It attracts tourists and dignitaries from throughout Italy and, indeed, the world. The town's various rioni, or quarters, celebrate Carnivale with masked balls and tournaments.
The official Viareggio Carnival mask is the "Burlamacco", a clown which wears clothes taken from other Italian masks: checkered overalls, taken from the Harlequin's costume, a white ponpon stolen from Pierrot's big puffy blouse, a white gorget - "Captain Scary" style, a red headband and a black mantle. The name Burlamacco derives from Buffalmacco a Florentine painter and a character in the "Decamerone". However, it is also said to be linked to the Lucchese surname Burlamacchi.
More information: www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com
1 - 29 August
Gallipoli: a Turkish View
An Australian War Memorial Travelling Exhibition of photographs and relics documenting the Turkish experience of Gallipoli and the events of 1915.
Gallipoli is of profound importance to the national identity of both Australia and Turkey. The Australian War Memorial has developed a new travelling exhibition that will for the first time, show Australians the events of Gallipoli from a new perspective – that of the Turkish people.
The events of 1915 created the Anzac legend, a foundation for Australia's sense of national identity, while for Turkey the defeat of foreign invasion under the charismatic command of Mustafa Kemal gave Gallipoli mythical status within Turkey's national identity.
This exhibition of photographs and relics enables visitors of both cultures to ponder their own and their former enemy's experience of the Gallipoli campaign. The Director of the Memorial Steve Gower says that the images included are significant as there are very few in existence which document the Turkish experience of Gallipoli. "They depict both the heroism and the horror of Turkey's part in the campaign. Their display provides a focus for reflections on the cross-cultural significance of Gallipoli for Australia and Turkey, and its continuing importance to both countries," he said.
The Australian War Memorial Travelling Exhibitions program is funded by Saluting Their Service, the Federal Government's commemorations program, honouring the contribution of Australia's servicemen and women.
Further details are available at: www.awm.gov.au/events/travelling
This exhibition is supported by Visions of Australia, an Australian Government Program supporting touring exhibitions by providing funding assistance for the development and touring of cultural material across Australia. Gallipoli: a Turkish view has been touring metropolitan and regional venues in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia since 2004.
1 - 29 August
150th Anniversary of the Birth of Joseph Conrad
A selection of books written by and about Joseph Conrad held in the Macquarie University Library collection. Exhibition curated by Andrew Siedlecki, Associate Lecturer, Polish Studies, Macquarie University.
J?zef Teodor Konrad Nalecz Korzeniowski, better known to the world as novelist Joseph Conrad was born in December 1857 in the Ukraine. Macquarie University Library is commemorating this respected writer with an exhibition of his literary works which will be displayed from 1st August ? 29th August 2007 in the Library main foyer.
Joseph Conrad was raised in Russia in his early years. Conrad's father Apollo Korzeniowski had been exiled in northern Russia for his political activities. By the age of 11 Conrad had lost both his parents and was sent to his maternal uncle, Tadeusz Bobrowski to be raised. However, under Russian law, Conrad's fathers' political convictions made his son liable for 25 years military service. To spare his nephew this fate, Bobrowski attempted to secure Austrian citizenship for Conrad, an attempt that failed. This led to Joseph Conrad's dramatic decision to pursue a career at sea. It was the beginning of his fifteen year career as seaman during which he would meet so many of the men who would figure largely in his works.
He departed Poland for Marseilles in October 1874 where he made a number of voyages to the West Indies with a French shipping company. France seemed a natural base for him as he was fluent in the language. In 1878 he made his first voyage to Australia for which he acquired a great affection. Although he had not known English prior to this voyage his love for the language became apparent in his early writings.
Joseph Conrad published his first novel in 1895, Almayer's Folly which was dedicated to the memory of his uncle. From an early age he was an avid reader and was well acquainted with classical Polish literature. Conrad's love for his country and fear of repression from Russia led him to write essays regarding his proposed reconstruction of Poland under a protectorate of Great Britain and France. He greeted the reconstruction of Poland in 1918 with joy and relief and he wrote further essays to Poland to reflect these emotions.
Although most of Conrad's seafaring career was in Asian waters, he also made a voyage up the Congo River in 1890 which would inspire the story Heart of Darkness (1902). This narrative is the basis for Francis Ford Copolla's 1979 film Apocalypse Now where Marlon Brando plays Kurtz.
Joseph Conrad's novels and short stories continue to have a hold on popular imagination and his works have inspired numerous films including Ridley Scott's The Duelists (1977) starring Harvey Keitel and Keith Caradine, which is based on The Duel from the collection A Set of Six (1908). Similarly Mosquito Coast by Australia's Peter Weir, though based on Paul Theroux's novel, also draws heavily on Conrad's Victory (1915) and Alfred Hitchcock's 1936 spy thriller Sabotage is based on Conrad's The Secret Agent (1907).
Other works published include An Outcast of the Islands (1896), The Nigger of the 'Narcissus' (1897), Tales of Unrest (1898), Lord Jim (1900), collaborations with Ford Madox Ford The Inheritors (1901) and Romance (1903), Youth (1902), The End of the Tether (1902), Typhoon (1903), Nostromo (1904), The Mirror of the Sea (1906, semi-autobiographical), and Under Western Eyes (1911).
Conrad became one of the greatest 20th Century novelists, known for his mastery of atmosphere and dramatic realism, at times compared to Rudyard Kipling. Joseph Conrad passed away on 3rd August 1924 and is buried in Canterbury, England. His name is carved into the massive rough-hewn grave stone with the inscription as was given at his birth: Joseph Teodor Conrad Korzeniowski.
26 September - 5 November
Imperial Eyes 1807:
Lachlan Macquarie's travels in the Ottoman, Persian & Russian Empires.
In March 1807 Lachlan Macquarie began a difficult and arduous overland journey from Bombay to London via the Persian Gulf. Key parts of Macquarie's journey across Iraq, Iran, and Russia will be examined in this public exhibition, based upon the diary kept by Macquarie throughout his journey. This bicentennial celebration will be an exploration of geography, history, regional politics, cultural diversity, and personal odyssey — as seen through the filter of Lachlan Macquarie's imperial gaze.
Curated by Robin Walsh, Macquarie University Library.
Visit the Imperial Eyes 1807 website.
16 November - 14 December
The Mosaic Middle East
Photographic exhibition by Macquarie University student, Alex Marlow. The images are based upon his travels in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan and Egypt (between late 2005 and early 2007). The first trip was a study exchange to Beirut, and the second was undertaken while researching a thesis topic on Lebanon. He has recently completed a degree at Macquarie University in Political Science.
The aim of The Mosaic Middle East is to visually explore the rich mosaic of cultural, political and religious traditions, values and histories that constitute one small part of the the Middle East. The exhibition will include part of the region sometimes referred to as the Fertile Crescent, or the Near East, as well as a small section of North Africa.