NEW COMMISSION 2022/23
Moonee Valley City Council Public Art Commission
'I am thrilled to announce that I have been awarded an Arts Commission with Moonee Valley City Council. This project will allow me to further explore my interest in the construction of patterns in architecture. Ornamentation is disappearing, there is a place for it here at the Flemington Community Hub, where it can be applied to a functional form to celebrate all that which connects community. These 7-metre internal/external facades have the capacity to display patterns and motifs; and this familiarity can be border-crossing. Patterns connect community'.
'This Art Project was given its title during an initital consultation with Aunty Gail and Aunty Julienne. 'Buwi Birrip Djerring ~ Weave Thread Create Together' was launched to inspire the Community at large to be a part of the history of this new public site; elements of their story in a composition of patterning and imagery, an optical attraction in placemaking of patterns inside and out.'
Rosa Mar Tato Ortega
Australian Visual Artist
Buwi Birrip Djerring ~ Weave Thread Create Together Manifesto
to observe
honouring the importance of listening to history
Allowing the unfolding
It’s about conversations, food, nature, architecture, placemaking
and
embodying a unique response to site,
Waterways,
identity,
the land,
the environment
and
honour
and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
Rosa Mar Tato Ortega
Australian visual artist
Creative Mentor
February 2022
Research in and around the waterways of the City of Moonee Valley
For this to become a reality, Rosa invited the community to connect.
Precious found objects from individual homelands or found in and around City of Moonee Valley were discussed, photographed and sighted. A patterned fabric, a traditional instrument, piece of jewellery that reflected family and cultural heritage were carefully documented. Photos and conversations relating to the Pandemic highlighted what mattered during those challenging times.
Research in and around the waterways of the City of Moonee Valley highlighted the community's commitment to planting and biodiversity.Traditional cooking implements, rituals, inherited tools or those packed in individual or family member's suitcases were discussed over zoom and face to face gatherings.
Motifs & patterns from a scarf or traditional dress, music & a favourite plant gave the project an important layering which will be noted in the final artwork.
Buwi Birrip Djerring ~Weave thread create together~
Buwi Birrip Djerring is translated by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung elder Aunty Gail Smith, from the words
‘Weave Thread Create Together’.
Aunty Gail chose these words, inspired by the essence of Rosa’s presentation and phrases; "patterns connect community', 'familiarity of patterns can be border crossing', 'past and present patterns connect community'.Moonee Valley City Council values their partnership with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People as the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which Moonee Valley is located and pays respects to Elders past and present. Rosa has met with Elders to introduce them to this project and invite them on this journey.
Preserving and commemorating what's important
Through her past art projects and previous work in interpreting and in the arts, Rosa has demonstrated strong experience in positively engaging with community. As the community is one of the Flemington Community Hub projects key stakeholders, Rosa will carry out this part of the project in a sensitive, appropriate and respectful manner.
She has previously spent a significant period of time working with the North Melbourne Language and Learning Centre.