Oz Birthing Woman

“Signals from Afar” and Mercat Cross Present

Signals from Afar “Birthing Woman Benefit” @ Mercat Cross

Saturday May 23rd 2009 10 pm @ Mercat Cross (456 Queen St Melb CBD)
Featuring: DJ’s Simon Slieker, Atonix, Dakini, Heath Myers and Bass Bin Laden alongside weekly residents Johnny Mac, The Cook and Chestwig. 10pm – 7am
$10 on the door

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=78444138591

The ‘Oz Birthing Woman’ installation was conceived in the mind of Robin Cooke of the Mutoid Waste Co. and as a veteran creator of giant re-cycled metal sculptures, that both breath fire and radiate light, Robin has a long standing connection with the Indigenous Arabunna Peoples of South Australia, in whose ‘country’ he has worked for many years creating the popular ‘Mutonia’ Sculpture Park.

Robin has invited Kevin Buzzacott, a well known activitist and Arabunna elder, to join the Birthing Woman Tour to the USA and was pleased to get a resounding “Yes.. All Sounds good to me!” from ‘Uncle Kev’ as he is affectionally known.
The spirit of ‘Bopeechie’, a large natural ‘Dreamtime’ formation of a reclining woman, which is visible in the outline of the hills between ‘Mutonia’ and Lake Eyre South, was inspirational to this unique project.

Each evening at sunset, during the week long Burning Man Festival, a Ceremonial Corroboree will take place at the Birthing Woman Installation, where Kevin will explain and teach of the unique connections between the land and the spirit, that his people still honour so strongly.

Indeed, having ‘Uncle’ Kevin present and taking a direct part in the festival, is not only a great privelige but is sure also, to be one of the event highlights for many of the 60,000 people attending this annual Mega-gathering in the Nevada Desert!

In Melbourne there is a structure being built that looks like the belly of the birthing woman so I took a photo to add to this blog. It’s not a geodesic dome, but it is huge!

3D work kindly contributed by Mediaguise