Scotch College

All in a day's work

Williamstown pier

On Tuesday 13 February a group of Year 9 art students travelled to Williamstown Pier as part of the all day art excursion. Gazing at the near perfect reflections cast by moored boats on the quiet water, one couldn't help wonder whether similar, serene conditions greeted Perceval in the 1950s, and whether his famous, tumultuous representations such as Gannets Feeding, 1956, was prompted by atmospheric conditions or the expression of inner angst.

Certainly the quiet hamlet had undergone many a demographic shift since it was first established in mid 1800s. Its wealth of architecture, punctuated with individual inscriptions on buildings such as the Customs House, a fine example of enduring colonial architecture, bearing testimony to the town's origin as the first port of Melbourne.

Our focus turned back to the dock and the HMAS Castlemaine, now a floating museum, which would surely provide a worthy subject if one could master the perspective. Looking down at the decks of the numerous trawlers docked along the pier also presented an interesting challenge. Our subjects reflected more recent industrial interests, themselves in a state of change, with tourism as the prospective new tenant.

Across the dock we marvelled at the sleek hulls of yachts, dry-docked for renovation. Set high up on their props, we were no longer looking down at the vessels but up. Like proverbial fish out of water, their hulls provided a novel view of the finer points of design.

Taking a closer look at the yellow hull of one boat, the boys agreed that the keel was certainly quite different. The inscription on the hull read 'Kookaburra'.

The silent, 12-metre sloop stood with resolute determination, but the boys were still unmoved.

Even the names Australia II, America's Cup, Allan Bond failed to move them. Born into a later generation, the boys of today were quite unaware of the happenings of the heady eighties.

A neighbouring boat, with 'Skilled' painted boldly across the waterline, elicited a more enthusiastic response, conjuring images of a handicapped yachtsman pitting himself against nature in circumnavigating the globe. Somehow this icon seemed more relevant than corporate endeavour in gauging the tenor of the times. I guessed it was safer to keep drawing, and concentrate on developing observation and interpretation techniques.

Back in the bus we bid farewell to the charming rows of terraces that line the famous esplanade. We were on our way to Point Cook, the RAAF aircraft museum. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a wealth of subject matter. The new and old machines stood side-by-side demonstrating the enormous strides in technology, and the awesome destructive power latent in the Phantom and Mirage. An Iroquois demonstration provided a welcome break in the afternoon's drawing.

The excursion, although exhausting, uncovered many opportunities, not only for drawing, but also acting as a touchstone to unite us with the real world in an educational framework. Historic references and technological advances stood side-by-side, as did industry and the natural environment, each providing ample opportunity for contemplation and further discussion.

Using art as a medium for exploration heightened our awareness and sensitivity to our surroundings. Incidental learning abounds for the enthusiastic student and in time, even for the more reluctant participant.

Mr Robert Papuga

Year 8 Art - Boomerang Workshops

On Tuesday 27 February the Year 8 art classes enjoyed a pleasant morning at Scotch, learning to throw and make boomerangs with Australian and World throwing champion Bruce Carter. The boys started the morning learning the techniques and skills of throwing a boomerang and enjoyed a throwing relay. Bruce demonstrated the techniques with a range of different types of boomerangs, including maximum time aloft and how to throw and catch a metre large boomerang. The boys finished the morning making and test flying their own boomerangs. Later in class they will decorate their boomerangs, using traditional Aboriginal dot painting techniques.

Mr Chris Taylor