P: ‘He was tall and thin with black fuzzy hair.’
C: ‘That’s right, his name was Hawk and he was visiting someone on the ninth floor.’
He didn’t fly like a hawk this time, unfortunately
P2: ‘You know he drove to the flats before jumping. Who does that, drives somewhere to jump?’
Too many
Christian themes and characters dominate classical European art. Think The Last Supper, Madonna and Child and a thousand other amazing images. And while the treatment and frequency of Christian themes may have changed, artists of all kinds still find themselves returning to the universal impact of the Christ narrative.
A recent example is Jaye Early’s Giraffe Jesus (pictured) which featured at the recent opening of Monstrosity Gallery.
Perhaps he drew his inspiration from the oddly (some would say blasphemously) named ‘Jesus was actually a giraffe’ Facebook page which suitably has a meagre 24 followers. (Jesus has a couple of billion more…)
What this shows, once again, is that whether you are Madonna, or Lady Ga Ga or Salvador Dali or some attention seeker on Facebook, Jesus cannot be ignored. As a result, his name and story are often used for ulterior motives – artistic attempts are the least of our worries in that regard.
So before we feel too much heat about a young artist depicting Jesus as a giraffe, let’s be glad that Jesus is still being discussed and worry more about how we portray Jesus in our daily lives.
As for Monstrosity Gallery, it is a new contemporary art space ‘nestled between debauched Kings Cross, beautiful Woolloomooloo Bay, and Sydney’s CBD, just 4 minutes walk from the world-famous Art Gallery of NSW’.
‘We are dedicated to championing the cause of young emerging artists working in painting, sculpture, illustration, new media, photography, jewellery, wearables, installation, street art and everything else, by supporting them and bringing them to the attention of the general public.’
For the record, Jesus made giraffes, but is actually the Son of God. PH
At the same time as Sydney is looking forward to a new digital Christian radio service, it is losing on April 30 its popular digital television broadcast of the Australian Christian Channel (ACC).
ACC is screened free to air on digital channel 46 as part of trial broadcast of niche channels known as Digital Forty Four. Other channels to end on April 30 include National Indigenous Television, Expo home shopping channel, Teachers TV, Federal Parliament, a news, sport and weather headlines channel from the ABC and a digital program guide.
The scrapping of the free broadcast is the result of the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s decision not to extend the trial, which was conducted by Broadcast Australia.
‘We don’t believe the public interest is being well served with this decision,’ Graeme Barclay, Broadcast Australia Group CEO said. ‘We continue to passionately believe in the value to the industry and the community of niche programming being available on a free to air basis.’
The Australian Christian Channel has been a part of the trial that began in 2004 and reports it has seen a growing, supportive audience who value the service. ACC will now only be available to people with Pay TV such as Foxtel, Austar, Optus TV, TransACT and Neighbourhood Cable.
If you would like to lobby for the re-introduction of the ACC and other niche broadcasters on free to air digital television, write to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy:
email – minister@dbcde.gov.au ; postal address – Hon. Stephen Conroy, Level 4, 4 Treasury Place, Melbourne Vic, 3002. PH
Back in the bad old days of Christian radio in Sydney, you were more likely to hear a polka than a Christian song on Sydney’s only Christian radio station, then known as 2CBA-FM.
The station, now known as Hope 103.2, has come along a way in the past five years and has a strong ‘listenership’ – Christian and otherwise.
Still, a city the size of Sydney might well have deserved a second Christian station but tough competition for radio licences had restricted the number of stations to one – until now.
With the launch of digital radio in Australia, Hope 103.2 has the chance to create a second Sydney Christian radio station for the first time.
The station is offering supporters the opportunity to ‘be a vital part of creating this history making event’ by responding to an online survey and ‘letting us know the kind of music and teaching programs you would like to hear’.
So if you are opposed to the return of polka, or have other constructive suggestions, visit the survey now. PH
Up to 500 people will pray ‘mercy and blessing’ on the city at the inaugural Sydney Prayer Breakfast to be held at the Shangri-La Hotel on June 4.
Organised by Sydney Prayer Breakfast Limited, a group linked to the City Bible Forum, guest speakers at the breakfast include NSW Commissioner of Police, Andrew ‘Skippy’ Scipione, and entertainer, Silvie Paladino.
Commissioner Scipione has had extensive experience in law e
nforcement, and after stints with the Australian Customs Service, National Crime Authority and various positions with the NSW Police Force he was appointed Commissioner of Police last year. Away from his official duties he enjoys surfing, camping and spending time with his family.
Silvie Paladino has established herself as one of Australia’s most versatile and talented entertainers performing throughout Australia, Asia and London’s West End. She has performed in Les Miserables, Cats, Miss Saigon, Hair, Mamma Mia! and Sideshow Alley. She is also a regular at Melbourne’s carols by Candlelight.
Organisers encourage any Christian who desires to pray for the different communities that come together in the Sydney CBD, such as business, politics, the arts and those in need, to attend the breakfast.’We believe that you will be greatly encouraged in your faith by participating in the breakfast. It’s good to pray at all times and also alone, but there is a place for corporate prayer on occasions such as this.’The Sydney Morning Herald reported on the breakfast under the heading, Top cop leads God squad.’He’s the state’s top cop, a cleanskin crime-fighter who loves God and hates vice. But the Police Commissioner, Andrew Scipione, doesn’t just want to save the people of Sydney from crooks. He is worried about our eternal souls as well.’Sydney Prayer Breakfast tickets are $50 a head and for more information call 02 9232 8700, email or visit Sydney Prayer Breakfast . PH
At first glance, Christians might be gratified to learn that the Sydney Writers’ Festival in May will feature a session called, In Defence of God. Closer examination though suggests a name change is in order – God Thrown to the Lions… Media reports say festival director, Chip Rolley, felt that ‘God deserved some time’ after recent visits to Australia by high-profile atheists such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens.
Good one Chip, are you having a joke with us? The session will be chaired by atheist and publisher-in-chief at Melbourne University Press, Louise Adler, and the two speakers are Eric Lax, a lapsed Episcopalian, now described as a ‘hopeful unbeliever’; and Reza Aslan, an acclaimed Muslim scholar and writer. Reza’s surname is the only (accidental) positive reference to Christianity (think CS Lewis).
The plot (pun intended) thickens when it is realised the session will be held on Sunday 10am (May 23). Now, where would most Christians usually be at 10am on a Sunday?
Two members of the Reserve Bank Board, one of Australia’s most powerful economic institutions, gave clear personal testimony to their faith in Jesus Christ in the lead up to Easter.
Speaking at Wesley Mission’s annual Easter breakfast, the Reserve Bank governor, Glen Stevens, was asked about his belief in God, to which he replied:
‘I would say that despite claims to the contrary there is a God. This is worth checking out and the critical issue people have to deal with is – was Jesus Christ who he claimed to be. If he wasn’t then you can forget about it; and if he wasn’t then I am living in a fool’s world.’
Utterance reported on Wednesday that the Royal Agricultural Society, organisers of Sydney Royal Easter Show had refused the Bible Society of NSW a stall on the basis that it was of a ‘religious nature’.
More than 200 volunteers and thousands of resources had been arranged for the Easter, All About Life stall that was to be linked to the recent Jesus, All About Life media campaign.
Fittingly, Jesus did make an appearance at the Show today about 1pm thanks to the heavenly intervention of a sky-writer.
With the sun as an exclamation mark, Jesus All About Life appeared brightly in white against a brilliant blue sky, easily visible at the show in Homebush Bay. The words spread broadly in the gusty wind covering the whole city.
They made quite an impression in Sydney’s inner west where I managed to take the photos above on my trusty Nokia E71 phone and also an Olympus MU9000. Of course, the mandatory buildings, telegraph wires and even an obliging plane accompanied my city pics.
It’s good to be reminded that even the day the Jesus was crucified is Good and is all about life! PH
The Bible Society NSW has been excitedly informing churches about its Easter All About Life stall at the Sydney Royal Easter Show with more than 200 volunteers arranged and thousands of resources purchased.
Then news broke that the stall would not go ahead because it was of a ‘religious nature’ and so the Bible Society hurriedly organised to re-distribute the Easter eggs, tracts, and Scripture resources to churches and Christian organisations for use in their own Easter activities.
Bible Society NSW, organiser of the Jesus All About Life (JAAL) multimedia campaign, has expressed dismay at not being allowed to have a JAAL stall at the Show.
‘It’s a curious thing that an event bearing the name “Easter” has disallowed anything to do with the very thing Easter is all about – the death and resurrection of Jesus,’ says CEO of Bible Society NSW, Daniel Willis.
Curious indeed… Perhaps it is concern that if one religious group is allowed entry then the floodgates will open. Surely it would be possible to carefully monitor this without the need for outright bans.
Or perhaps it is that the focus is agriculture but if that is the reasoning, they should say goodbye to side-shows and other entertainment. Afterall, it is in the country areas of Australia where churches traditionally play such a huge part in community life so to keep them out of the show seems downright un-agricultural!
Maybe the right response of the church is to withdraw permission for the Royal Agricultural Society to use the word ‘Easter’ in the show’s name on the basis that it is not of a religious nature… PH – with thanks to Eternity newspaper for some details.
I am perennially ‘God-spotting’ or ‘finding-faith – looking for those little heartfelt references to God in popular culture or current events.
This morning a garbage truck ran into a house in Haberfield (saw it for myself while driving my wife to work) and the man living there, Danny, told ABC radio that he’d been thinking the house would be better as open plan but this was more than he’d bargained for.
He went on to say that after the impact he ran out of the bedroom and found the driver emerging from the living room saying, ‘I hit a tree.’
‘You hit my house too, mate,’ he countered in typical Aussie fashion.
Then, seeing the state of the truck’s cabin – with the steering wheel impaling the driver’s seat – he said it was a ‘miracle of God’ that the driver survived. He also ‘thanked God’ that his wife and two small children were also unharmed.
Thanks God! We love it when you show up.
Typically, one of Dan’s little kids slept through the whole thing and was taken to his grandmother’s for a ‘special breakfast, none the wiser… PH
As we approach Easter Holy Week it is no surprise that even secular Sydney is abounding in religious symbolism.
Taking pride of place in Martin Place, resplendent in gold and several metres high, is the well-known pagan symbol for fertility, the rabbit.
Alongside this touching symbol, I’m sure I caught a glimpse of the post-modern symbol for significance, the $. Of course we are well accustomed to finding this crafty, curly symbol lurking somewhere around ancient Christian festivals.
Mmm… Must be time for a hot cross bun. I wonder what this cross business is all about? PH
Newsboys are one of Australia’s most successful Christian bands although I’m not sure if there are still any Aussies in the line-up since front-man Peter Furler handed over to Michael Tait (formerly of DC Talk) last year.
The band won’t be the same (for me) without that raw Australian feel out front but Furler is still involved behind the scenes so it will be interesting to see where the band heads and how they are received in Oz.
In the meantime, check out a couple of their new songs that you can download for free from the Hope 102.3 website.
Newsboys are performing at Hillsong Convention Centre, Sydney, on Tuesday April 6. Tickets are $40.
We pulled into Civic video and Jo scurried out, barefoot, to deposit the slightly late return. Hopping back in the car, we headed up Norton St, past Bar Italia on one side and Mezzapica further up on the other.
We hit a red light next to the illuminated Leichhardt Town Hall, and the three of us (Rebekah in the back), sat there in the quiet evening, no traffic around, waiting for the lights to change.
“I feel like I’m in a short film,” said Josiah. “Whenever we just randomly pull up at a red light and there’s nothing around, it feels like a scene from a short film,” he elaborates.
We look at Jo. He turns his head and looks at me. The universe blinks. Our light turns green and we continue our journey home.
It’s no wonder people are having random short film epiphanies, after all Sydney is the home of Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival.
Thanks to Josiah for providing a spontaneous and authentic introduction to a quick review of the 16 finalists from Tropest 2010.Read More »
To really know your city or town you need to see it at different hours on different days. The cycle of time brings an ebb and flow of people like tides bringing different creatures to the shore.Read More »
Awake 6.30, cool of the morning
Maragogype coffee beans lure me downstairs
Before returning, cup in hand for my wife
And the first strains of ABC news
Man stabbed and dying in Marion St
Like Heart? Leichhardt? Where I live?!
And the story unfolds as the day does too
Of a man hammered, and chased, and killed
Between hospital visits
Which is a whole other story
I walk in the bright sun to the spot
Where another human bled and died.
Parents with prams amble by
As do children from school
While two old men in nursing home trance
Stare at the Channel 7 car, satellite dish raised
Can I comprehend that before the heat
There was night, and men angry, raging
In their cars and on their feet
Rushed to steal another man’s life
And the sky is so blue.
We tackle some heavy issues here at Utterance but this is serious stuff tonight.
Yesterday I found a large take away coffee on Norton St for just $3. That’s right, $3 – at least $1.10 below the usual premium rate you pay for coffee in Little Italy.
This cheap brew is hiding away in the baby cakes outlet in Norton Plaza. I guess the plan is that you buy a cheap but tasty coffee and a small but expensive cup cake.
Well, I just stuck to the coffee and it’s not too bad. What’s more, it’s organic Fair Trade!!
Feel free to share your own totally indulgent coffee story… PH
There are two competing hardware stores on opposite corners of Booth St, Annandale and I’ve always wondered how they survive in such a small shopping area and how they get along.
Both stores appear fiercely competitive for the passing trade and it would not have surprised me if their was animosity between the two. Afterall, hardware is serious business…
On January 2 as a I drove up Booth St, I saw salesmen from the opposing stores standing on their respective corners staring at each other.
Were they about to draw nail guns at 30 paces? Had one of them tipped over the other’s ladder display?
As I watched in the rear view mirror for hand gestures or ‘f’ words, I saw one of the men, clad in his shop colours, pace across the road, and, to my surprise, enjoy a hearty handshake with his counterpart, with not a flashing screwdriver in sight.
Good old Aussie mateship, in a small way like leaving the trenches in WWI to celebrate Christmas with the enemy.
Who said there’s no hope in the world?
Past Camden St where my second cousin Roy, blind, died after a fall. Park somewhere down Holt St because it’s before 10am and a clearway on King. Judy rings, “I’ve been given four tickets to the Swans.” Cool. Walk with one eye on passersby, other eye on shops, cafes. Leaking water at a building site with workmen and mobiles. Coffee store ‘Once-was-Allegro-now-is-Sacks’ is open. Purchase many Marogagype beans. Sales women smells the beans before sealing the coffee. “It’s a beautiful tasting coffee”. Cappuccino to go, one sugar.
I remember learning to write in Mrs Rickard’s first grade class at Taree West Primary School. I had a bad habit, or so she felt, of wanting to add just a little more length to my strokes such as on a ‘p’ or ‘y’. The problem was that when writing with crayons, it was almost impossible to get the two strokes to join. I can still see my gangly letters with little dislocations. I got into trouble for this but, when handwriting large letters, I still do it today.
Fortunately, I don’t hand-write much anymore because it has always been reasonably illegible. But clearly I am still writing in other ways, such as right here, right now.
A blog may well be the latest in a long line of attempts to add just a little bit more to my sometimes hesitant communication. I hope some of the things I write will at least join up, perhaps with you, or someone, or God himself.
In the meantime, Sydney weather has heeded the bitter remembrances of ANZAC Day (April 25) and rushed about angrily in cold gusts all day, tempered only by the sun’s impertinent warmth. The sun has called it quits now, however, and the door is open behind me and there is cold air on my neck.
See you later.
Peter Hallett
utterance 