By Liane Arno
DAMN it! I was so sure I could win! In February, John Mutsaers sent us all a challenge to write about our interpretation of freedom using his Infinite Birdcage series as inspiration.
I approached our erstwhile publisher of the Bass Coast Post to see if she could help spread the word. And what did she do? She teased us with an article, “Damn you John Mutsaers” about how she was struggling with the concept and not writing well.
But – damn you Catherine Watson – your The Ties that Bind won!
There were hot contenders at your heels – Karen Bateman’s Crooked Heart was a close second and Wendy Saphin’s Key to Freedom was third.
DAMN it! I was so sure I could win! In February, John Mutsaers sent us all a challenge to write about our interpretation of freedom using his Infinite Birdcage series as inspiration.
I approached our erstwhile publisher of the Bass Coast Post to see if she could help spread the word. And what did she do? She teased us with an article, “Damn you John Mutsaers” about how she was struggling with the concept and not writing well.
But – damn you Catherine Watson – your The Ties that Bind won!
There were hot contenders at your heels – Karen Bateman’s Crooked Heart was a close second and Wendy Saphin’s Key to Freedom was third.
Seriously, though – many of us had loads of fun not only in writing our pieces but also in recording them at Radio 3mfm. Thanks to Deb Watson who worked feverishly through the lockdown not only to record and edit the readings but then to weave Mark Finsterer’s music into the background.
Listen to Infinite Birdcage writers read their works. All the works have now been uploaded onto YouTube (click on image at right) and everyone is invited to vote for their favourite.
And back to Catherine, who says she’s grateful for John’s challenge to combine images, words and music, which seemed entirely appropriate for the lockdown.
“I was intrigued by the Infinite Birdcage series but wrestling for meaning took me much deeper than I would normally go with a work of art. I spent a couple of weeks immersed in this dream-like and rather unsettling world. Some of the images got into my psyche and even appeared in my dreams.
“As the closing date approached, I was a little sad. I knew I would miss that daily meditation.”
ArtSpace will celebrate its reopening on June 26 with readings by the Infinite Birdcage writers on Sunday, June 28, from 2pm. With an eye on social distancing requirements, reading areas will be set up indoors and out, so bring some warm clothes.
Guests will be asked to vote for the people's choice with the winner to take home a $50 voucher from ArtSpace.
And back to Catherine, who says she’s grateful for John’s challenge to combine images, words and music, which seemed entirely appropriate for the lockdown.
“I was intrigued by the Infinite Birdcage series but wrestling for meaning took me much deeper than I would normally go with a work of art. I spent a couple of weeks immersed in this dream-like and rather unsettling world. Some of the images got into my psyche and even appeared in my dreams.
“As the closing date approached, I was a little sad. I knew I would miss that daily meditation.”
ArtSpace will celebrate its reopening on June 26 with readings by the Infinite Birdcage writers on Sunday, June 28, from 2pm. With an eye on social distancing requirements, reading areas will be set up indoors and out, so bring some warm clothes.
Guests will be asked to vote for the people's choice with the winner to take home a $50 voucher from ArtSpace.