Scripture & Sculpture

One of my first nights in Melbourne I was taken to church by my host family. Upon entering I had the feeling I was going to a NFL game (or to be completely honest a marching band competition.) Phil had (I now realize jokingly) told me it was a little church. The church they attend have 4000 attend each sunday. Yes, a four with three zeros. As the service started an army of teenage girls decended the stage while electric guitars whaled and all the lights flashed. I felt more like I was at a rock concert. The entire time I was simply downright impressed. The girls' interpretive dance was pretty good, the band was great. The mass of christian youth (haha get it?) in the world's tamest mosh pit at the foot of the stage were the perfect audience. They knew every song, stormed down enthusiasticly and then retreated quietly, they even managed to clap and sway perfectly in sync. I have also never had so many people try to convert me so polietly. Clearly "converting them through kindness" is working for them as 7 people were baptized that service alone. Even though I am Christian I'm more used to a stained glass and organ type theme.

Source: http://www.crossway.org.au

The two most impressive things to me were the videography and the lengths they went to get snow. Every song had the performers projected on the screens making it seem like they were producing music videos. Despite being the most calm person there the entire service I lost it when the youth group showed a (beautiful of course) video of them bringing in a semi of snow to go sledding. I don't know what they would think of hamilton weather, but then again I do-- cold. Very very cold. I'm a regular polar bear here.

Source: http://www.crossway.org.au

Both Steph's and my host parent's bible study groups met at the house this week as well. Though I stayed downstairs for both, Phil and Patrice's was certainly the rowdier of the two as they are perfecting a puppet show with their chruppets (Christian muppets.)

A few days later I ventured into the city for the first time. I transformed into a four year old as soon as I saw Melbourne through the window. It's quite a picturest city with little pathways, big pathways and lots of art.

These were my two favorite works I saw on the street:

The first is a series of massive sculptures with moveable parts. Fittingly it symbolizes the different stages of immigration to australia.

The other, "Winter Solstice" is a lovely hanging installation. The use of light was so tastefully executed.

I had gone into the city to attend a young teen's program: NGV Culture Camp: NAIDOC Week. This week is a school holiday for children in Victoria so I’m without access to schools. However, the National Gallery of Victoria is presenting a week dedicated to Australian Indigenous Art (how perfect!) NAIDOC Week is unfortunately open to children under 17 (though I thought about just not wearing makeup I figured it would be embarrassing if I was asked for an ID.) I decided to go anyway (with makeup on) and see what I could find out and who I could talk to. I got a few ideas and am learning more and more indigenous culture. Afterwards I was going to go to the art museum and the Ian Potter Centre: NGV Austalia which is the "world’s first gallery dedicated exclusively to Australian Art" but I got distracted.

Leaving those two for another day I happily got lost in the city. I listened to quite a number of performers on the street with the highlight being these guys:

http://youtu.be/VTxy76fVZi0

Trying to find my way home I inadvertently got lost in one heck of a mall-- with only Asian food in the food court and these two shops:

Rather unexpected.

Hope all of you are doing well!