“I know where I've been”

Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
Inspired by the 1988 screenplay “HAIRSPRAY”
from the 2002 musical stageplay
and 2007 musical film “HAIRSPRAY”

There's a light in the darkness
Though the night is black as my skin
There's a light burning bright
Showing me the way but I know where I've been

There's a cry in the distance
It's a voice that comes from deep within
There's a cry asking why
I pray the answer's up ahead 'cause I know where I've been

There's a road we been travellin'
Lost so many on the way
But the riches will be plenty
Worth the price - the price we had to pay

There's a dream in the future
There's a struggle, that we have yet to win
And there's pride in my heart
'Cause I know where I'm goin' and I know where I've been

There's a road, we must travel
There's a promise, we must make
'Cause the riches will be plenty
Worth the risk and chances that we take

There's a dream in the future, there's a struggle
We have yet to win
Use that pride in our hearts
To lift us up, to tomorrow
'Cause just to sit still would be a sin

I know it, I know it
I know where I'm goin'
And Lord knows I know
Where I've been

Oh, when we win
I'll give thanks to my God
'Cause I know where I've been......

Following is the final blog entry for this Project.

It completes the puzzle.

My work is now finished here and it's been good

but it's time for me to move in a new direction.

Let's give the final word to David Humphries writing in the Sydney Morning Herald News Review of July 2-3, 2011
where he presents the case for "reconnection". . . http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/season-of-our-disconnect-20110701-1gv9q.html

This is what the coming years are about anyway.
Perhaps we have to get lost to find ourselves?

Could all be quite some adventure.

ALL THE BEST! - Neville Williams

****************************


“...the winter of our discontent...”

Edith:
It must be so hard to meet the challenges of the future
and yet be fair to your employees.

Sir Antony:
That's the point precisely.
We can't fight progress but we must find ways to soften the blow.

- from the period drama television series

“DOWNTON ABBEY” Episode 5 (Channel 7)

Look at the Greek protests that are going on at present or even the current series of television commercials about the nanny state in Australia. Here we have tribes of people wanting to hold onto their belief systems and their way of life yet are these behaviours sustainable for us all? Like it or not it's all interconnected. If we behave like naughty children then that's the way we'll be treated by whomever is in the position of power. The powered then become the most obvious target of our own discontent. And that is very childish.

Currently there seems to be a great dummy spit in process with humanity. Our impact on the environment, each other not to mention ourselves seems to be raising levels of anxiety. I think that is because it is starting to dawn on humanity that we are going to need to change. That we need to make some concessions in our own lives in one way or another no matter what our background or station in life. Clearly the tectonic plates of humanity's great struggle to exist and prosper are starting to shift once more.

We want what we want but is it good for us if it's all going to end up in a dead end?

Perhaps one of the great artistic challenges of our time is finding the balance between what is energy, time and cost efficient with behaviours that are civil and humane. Somehow us humans have great difficulty in getting that balance just right. Currently it seems we are starting to forget ourselves in that great struggle to have more of whatever...space, time, money, energy, independence, status, celebrity and so on.

Interestingly too have you noticed that the role of Governments of all persuasions are starting to reach their use by date? Religions seem to have already gone the same way. Let's get this straight here I'm neither anti-Government nor anti-Religion. We all want at least some security and/or something to believe in in our lives. That's only reasonable. But both Church and State seem to be stagnating. Bogged down in their own inertia.

When the leaders of both these behemoths try to do something, change or evolve they are held back by the limitations of their own structures, rules, established cultural mindsets and dare it be said short sighted self interest. And yes of course there are exceptions (thank God) but the general picture ain't lookin' all that good.

The emerging new age leaders in our world would seem to be the Corporate or business sector. This is simply because they are the most flexible structures we have created. The corporates can more readily adapt to the demands of the ever increasing expectations of our societies. These expectations in themselves being very dangerous without the steady balancing benefit of an equally corresponding effort.

So the question of balance again comes into the equation with the Corporates in charge!

Maybe the real problem is that we're thinking too much about the whole mess instead of accepting the realities and taking the necessary positive steps to make the changes in our own individual lives. Isn't that where the security and belief exists anyway? If we all accepted more individual and shared responsibility wouldn't it be a happier world?

You are the leader.

                                             Richard:

Now is the winter of our discontent

Made glorious summer by this son of York;

And all the clouds that low'r'd upon our house

In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.

- Richard The Third Act 1, scene 1 William Shakespeare

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/who-do-you-think-you-are-20110624-1gjjh.html

GREEK TRAGEDY – NATION WITH A PAST HOPES FOR A FUTURE

http://www.smh.com.au/world/nation-with-a-past-hopes-for-a-future-20110624-1gjj7.html

WEST HEADS TO A GREEK TRAGEDY TOO
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/west-heads-to-a-greek-tragedy-too-20110628-1gp2x.html

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“To be, or not to be?”

Hamlet:
To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them... Hamlet Act 3, Scene 1

“TO BE, OR NOT TO BE?” by Neville Williams © Gallery8
(CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE MORE DETAIL)
http://gallery8.blogspot.com/

This artwork draws on the thought provoking words above by William Shakespeare. In the artwork the outlined figure could be any young person seeking answers driven to absolute choices by the crazy world in which we live.

The swimming pool is a symbol of the uncertainties we face in life. Hence the message “CAREFUL DEEP WATER”.
Being pink it could also be 'hot water'.

Perhaps the repetitive tile pattern is the sameness of what life can be for so many?

Unclear in the photograph but evident in the artwork when viewed in person is a clear gloss laquer figure silhouette (to the right). This clear figure can catch the light when viewed at certain angles. It is the same outlined cut-out figure that is throwing a shadow across the scene (to the left). These elements address in our lives the light and dark, the bright spots and the shadows, to be present or not.

The silhouetted figure appears to be walking on the water which can be a nod to the highest part of ourselves and the spirit to survive or to rise above it all amidst the difficulties of life's many confrontations.

Even though the subject matter is serious in tone the whole artwork has an air of lightness or fragility.

The artist feels that ultimately it is a positive painting...
“We need to acknowledge the darkness to appreciate the light.”

“...Neither look forward where there is doubt

Nor backward where there is regret

Look inward and ask not if there is anything outside that you want

But whether there is anything inside that you have not yet unpacked...”

“...If your love is valuable to you it's because you give it...”

- John Hurt speaking as Quentin Crisp

from the film “AN ENGLISHMAN IN NEW YORK "

(Leopardrama - 2009)

"What a piece of work is man!"

“...WHEREAS AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE

            LOOK TO SHARE FAIRLY

IN THE PLENTY OF THE COMMONWEALTH...”

- from Thomas Keneally's proposed preamble

to a new Australian Constitution

“Well I'm an artist” was my response to the questioner. His good humoured back hand was “I didn't think there were any of you left”.

Makes one wonder where our values now rest? Are the executives of mining companies now the real artists in our world? Are mining company profits now Australia's manna from heaven? Is the material world as opposed to the human spirit where it's at?

What comes first the chicken or the egg? Should we be creating the wealth to provide the trickle down effect of opportunity for creativity? Or is it the creativity that provides the trickle down effect of wealth creation?

What do you think?

Certainly though can't help but agree with the late Mary Maxwell Gates who said...“For those to whom much is given much is expected.”

An interesting complementary quote from Mary's philanthropic son Bill Gates is. . .“We have to work just as hard giving it away as we do earning it.” Fair enough too. Who's going to throw pearls to swine?

“Trickle” does though appear to be the operative word. Are we only though deserving of a “trickle”? Cause that's the attitude that seems to be currently flowing to the greater whole from the mining companies when compared to their Godzilla sized profits. Artists?

And talking about swinery, in recent times I have chanced upon a few examples of outlook that had to be heard to be believed.

At the gym the other day a couple of guys around their mid twenties were having quite a heated exchange. It went something like this...

“Oh mate you were f***in' lucky she woz there 'cause I would'a kill'd ya.” To which the other guy responded, “Yeah well she wanted a r**t and if I hadna' ask'd 'er someone else woulda' dunnit”.
By the way “she” was the first guy's girlfriend.

These guys had a personal trainer. They were well presented sporting tatts and plenty of self righteous attitude. Their personal trainer I've observed over time to be a pretty astute, aware and not unfeeling guy. He knew though that he wasn't going to change their behaviour with a 'trickle' of his wisdom.

But nothing comes close to this little gem that was screamed out the back window of a neighbour's place a short while back. “Yeah well they're (the State Government) just lucky I haven't gone back onto heroin”. Total victim mentality. A 'trickle' is not going to change that sort of mindset.

What's similar between this sort of neanderthal behaviour and a corporate want to hold onto maximum profits is the “tribal” mindset that seems unbendable. That they are somehow right and have the right to hold onto the limited territory of their little pond mentality as some sort of show of power that legitimises their sense of worth of who they are. But what are they really?

No doubt there are some corporates as there are some disadvantaged people who are making some effort to redress the ignorances and imbalances but a trickle is not enough. Who is going to hold a mirror up to society's tribal groups and let them see a more sustainable direction for all our sakes? Would they budge anyway?

Does it need to be a tsunami of change that washes away the stagnant small pond thinking? Some need to see and act on their broader responsibilities and yet others need to accept and shoulder their basic responsibilities.

Signed
Your faithful correspondent reporting from the frontline
of inner-city (never a dull moment) Darlinghurst.

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE MORE DETAIL)
“What a piece of work is man

How noble in reason

How infinite in faculties

In form and moving how express and admirable

In action how like an angel

In apprehension how like a god

The beauty of the world

The paragon of animals”

from 'Hamlet' by William Shakespeare

Artwork Title: “What a piece of work is man!” by Neville Williams

http://gallery8.blogspot.com/

FORGOTTEN SOMETHING?

“We are the champions – my friends
And we'll keep on fightin' till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions. . .”

-Freddie Mercury / QUEEN (WATCH VIDEO)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSTivVclQQ0

Labor Party Elder John Faulkner's recent speech about the need for the Labor Party to reform could really be a speech directed towards our whole nation.  It's not only the Labor Party that needs to reform. We all need active reformation in our lives otherwise we stagnate.  This is what is happening to both the Labor and Liberal/National Parties and too much of the whole country.

The current beef industry upheaval also only demonstrates a high profile example of what happens when we hold onto the status quo.  The "don't rock the boat" attitude ends up anyways with the whole boat in danger of upturning. It sinks in its own putrescent intransigence.

So it is not just political parties or primary industries that need to take a good look in the mirror.  Things need to be said and things need to be done across the spectrum of our society to move us forward. Too often though those who are brave or some would say stupid enough to make these moves become the victims or martyr's to those who have fallen asleep and forgotten themselves.

It is those who are prepared to face the unknown or their fears who show something of what is real leadership.  This is one of the key comments that I was making in my big artwork "THE THREE WISE HARLEQUINS” (See below). You're invited to take a good look into this mirror...What do you see here?

(CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE MORE DETAIL)                        PIC: Ray Jellah

THE THREE WISE HARLEQUINS (2006) http://gallery8.blogspot.com/

A complete Synopsis of this artwork can be read at
http://neville-williams.blogspot.com/

The human species seem to have a great aversion to letting go of what we know...our power, and opening ourselves up to the new possibilities. Ultimately without a spirit of reconnection to ourselves we rot from the inside eventually being forced into action against our wills and then everyone suffers.

John Faulkner is right with his comments.  The first step
to solving a problem is to face up to the fact that there is a problem.  Too many it seems don't even get to that stage. Truly we will move forward and have always moved forward with a developing group consciousness.  That is the actions of a whole spectrum of individuals. 

The leaders in this brave new world of ours is simply you.  It's just that some of the individuals have that bit more to contribute that labels them "Leaders". Anyone today expecting them to put their head in a noose is simply being unrealistic.

We learn one way or we learn another. To the point perhaps the current lesson Australia is facing, to take us forward as a nation,
is that we need to accept more personal and shared responsibility. We are a child country that is learning to become

. . .“A YOUTH NATION”.

In Australia we think and act too small.
We need to think big and act even bigger.

Getting in touch with ourselves surely is the first step to being on the right path...for you and us collectively.

"I don't want to change the world

To me happiness is the most important thing

If I'm happy then it shows in my work

In the end all the mistakes and all the excuses are down to me..."

Freddie Mercury's last vocal interview before dying (WATCH VIDEO)

http://youtu.be/mdXlA6m2qrM

ALP MUST REFORM OR DIE
http://www.smh.com.au/national/alp-must-reform-or-die-warns-faulkner-20110609-1fv79.html

LABOR PEERS INTO THE ABYSS
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/labor-peers-into-the-abyss-20110610-1fx05.html

DODGING DISSENT SYMPTOM OF THE DISEASE DRAINING THE LIFE FROM LABOR
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/dodging-dissent-symptom-of-the-disease-draining-the-life-from-labor-20110609-1futy.html

LARA BINGLE
The perfect role model for Australia

Couldn't help but notice the comments made to Lara Bingle on a recent episode of “Dancing with the Stars”. The judges more or less said following her very mediocre performance that if she wasn't prepared to put in the effort she should basically get off the dance floor and get out of the show. Ouch!

On the following week's show she came out and presented a pretty classy and sexy performance.

She is a good role model for where Australia is presently placed. We are a Country with great looks and plenty of talent most certainly. But are we prepared to put in the effort? Well I dunno?

In this brave new world of ours if we in Australia think we can get by on our looks and talent we're in for a very rude shock. The world is not going to wait for us.

Do we really need a pep talk about what's necessary to make things happen?

We are currently on track to be left behind in the dust. Sadly most of that dust will be generated by our own jumping up and down on the same spot. We're not going anywhere presently.

THE BENNELONG PROJECT is a project for people who want to make a difference. Half baked and mediocre can walk please right off this blog page and straight out the door.

So where the bloody hell are you?

POSITIONS VACANT:
EVENT PRODUCERS

An event to inspire the Nation.

It is proposed that on the 200th Anniversary of the death of Bennelong that Sydney & Australia celebrates an event about life (Spring 2013).

You will need plenty of strength, capacity, resilience and tenacity not to mention outstanding organisational and inspirational talent. You are the “sparkling diamonds” of our Nation.

The event proposes to cover a vast landscape within the focus of a close city environment both indoors and outdoors.

The event is intended to encompass our Nation's youth and wider public, media (particularly the National Broadcaster), government and private institutions, community, corporate, political and vice- regal representatives.

The event intends to leave a lasting gift to the Nation.

For further information contact bigbennelong@optusnet.com.au
or phone Neville Williams on (02) 9380 5486

What if...

the Spirit of Bennelong returned?

The City of Sydney will be using the theme of “WHAT IF...”
during the next Art & About Show during Spring this year.

Art and About Sydney aims to transform the City with free, highly accessible, visible and engaging art, installations, exhibitions, performances and events throughout the street, public spaces and venues of Sydney.

To have a closer look go to . . .
www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/artandabout/
Some things just have a big flashing light on them.
This sounds good.

And yes well I've got a pretty good idea of what needs to happen here but firstly there needs to be enough people who are willing and able to see the sky beyond the trees.

As a wise man once said to me (thanks Bob) there's no point running down a road and looking back to find that you're the only one standing there!

A lot more needs to happen before any serious consideration could be made to proceed down this path.

- Neville (Blog Editor)

"You get out of something equal
 to what you put into it."

- Oprah Winfrey on her last show

OPRAH'S LAST SHOW . . .

The best television in years

After 25 years Oprah Winfrey presented her last show alone on stage this week. She spoke casually and sincerely for about an hour on what she had learned and expressed her thanks, appreciation and gratitude for all she had learned over that time.

It was quite a show. And she had learned a lot. Highlights were her expressing that there is no one to blame for our own situations and how feelings of “unworthiness” hold us and others back from reaching the potentials of our journeys.

To achieve all she has done from her early short on love beginnings demonstrates a wilfully strong spirit. She drew the loyalty, dedication and commitment of a production crew that were an almost unstoppable force. Just the logistics in the organising of 6,000 pearl pendant gifts at one of her Sydney shows boggles the imagination. I'll bet there were some cats thrown amongst the pigeons here in Australia when the Oprah road show rolled in.

Cuddling her pet dog in the final shot of this last programme she said “We did it”. She certainly had. What next Oprah? Where does someone go now who already is a new age earth mother and the unofficial queen of the world?

I'm not a disciple of Oprah but you've got to recognise quality when you see it. Whew! What a leader.

A common vision

Recently there was a whole slew of letters to the Sydney Morning Herald from people speaking out about the NSW Government's decision to renege on its solar energy offer. Many people were bitten by what might be called the 'pioneering backlash'. It got me to thinking about those who do take the risk with new directions in any field of undertaking. Can I for a moment place the solar energy foray under the umbrella of efforts to combat climate change or moving towards a more “sustainable” way for us humans to live.

Both Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull have experienced the loss of their leadership roles over the issue of climate change. Julia Gillard seems locked into something of a grand battle over the issue. And now we have grass roots pioneers being burnt by their risk taking.

Us humans don't like change ...of any sort.
And ain't that an understatement. We seem to get so locked into our little habitual ways. One wonders what it takes to create a greater “understanding” in our society. Certainly it would seem a whole lot more than most are able or prepared to commit.

I can only admire those individuals at any level in our society who have the courage, commitment, strength, capacity, resilience and tenacity to keep moving forward in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

We all need a common vision to work towards. This gives us hope and value and purpose in life. It's finding that common vision though that takes the hard work. This is about seeing and acting upon a bigger picture other than immediate self interest.

"STOP CRYING AND FIX THE MESS" (CLICK ON LINK)
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/stop-crying-poor-and-fix-the-mess-20110524-1f2e6.html

Become a friend of
THE BENNELONG PROJECT

If you feel you have something to contribute
through the series 'POINTERS TO OUR FUTURE'
you're welcome to contact bigbennelong@optusnet.com.au
for more information.

[For a transcript of any articles and comments that have appeared as
"POINTERS TO OUR FUTURE" please contact the above email address]

Q&A: Some answers
                   to sincere questions

Last week I received the following email.
It contains some timely questions:-

“How are you doing Neville? Still having hard time with your plumbing problems? Anyway, I've read your blog and find it very interesting. What curious me the most is what's the main reason behind the Bennelong project? Why are you so much into the Bennelong Spirit? What is it anyway? Sorry if I offended you by asking this questions but I'm just trying to figure it out. - Thanks from A”

Firstly “A” it is appreciated that someone is trying to figure out what the Bennelong Project is about! And I suppose I could blather on here with rationalisations and justifications but how effective would that be? I'd just end up with RSI and dubious results. Nevertheless I shall try to answer your questions as succinctly as possible.

People need to put something of themselves into anything to get anything worthwhile out of something. The Bennelong Project is no different. If we want some value or an appreciation from this we need to earn it. So the first requirement is an effort. That is why the whole thing is presented as a puzzle both within this blogsite and within inside the large artwork titled . . .
“THE THREE WISE HARLEQUINS”. Both are available for people to view if the interest is there. So “A” you're on the right path.

"THE THREE WISE HARLEQUINS" by Neville Williams
(CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE MORE DETAIL)                                                     PIC: Ray Jellah

Essentially what I'm doing as an artist is trying to plant some seeds and give them a little water. Pick up a packet of Australian Wildflower seeds sometime and just read the instructions on
how to sow the seeds so that they have any chance of germinating.
The instructions might give you some idea of just how difficult my job is here!!! I've already put quite a lot of my time, energy and money into this project.

Why are you so much into the Bennelong Spirit?
Well I'm convinced that the Spirit of Bennelong is the historical and contemporary overarching symbolic inspirational figure who can point us collectively here in Sydney and Australia towards a more understanding, sustainable, creative and connected future. Bennelong the man himself was by no means perfect. Who is?
But his Spirit, well, there's another story to be written!

What curious me the most is what's the main reason behind the Bennelong project?
The Bennelong Project is a project designed to encourage us to aim higher, dig deeper and look at issues in a broader context. Have you noticed how we are becoming quite short term or shallow in our appoaches to too many things in our society. What is the worth of life if it is like eating cardboard? ... No nourishment in that.
The only thing we seem to get out of the short term approach is confusion, alienation and unsustainability. Seems a very dangerous path to me that must surely reach a dead end sooner or later.

What is it anyway?
The Spirit of Bennelong is the nucleus figure in an example or the framework of an actual 'model vision' for Sydney & Australia.
This has been written down with the hope that it might act as an inspiration for us to collectively work towards a more planned future. We need to start approaching things this way. Something like laying down a path to a more certain future. SOMETHING THAT WE ALL HAVE A HAND IN. It's about the importance of VISION or being able to SEE, HEAR and SPEAK in our lives. And this leads onto your first questions to me...

How are you doing Neville? Still having hard time with your plumbing problems?
If you scroll down the page here to the sub heading
PLUMBING UPDATE you can read how I'm doing. And this is a very appropriate example of how our lives are starting to become.
This SNAPSHOT OF AUSTRALIA TODAY is what we can work towards avoiding with a little effort.

There is no offence “A” in asking sincere questions.
Thanks for your interest. You are welcome to keep in touch.

Neville (Blog Editor)