What were the emotions and desires of  Tasmania’s residents during its Colonial and Federation period?  Statistics and facts are available, the record keeping of convicts and Leaders was extensive and accurate but lives and interactions of others much less so. How were cultural and personal aspirations depicted and lived in these fast changing times. We are entangled in multiple influences, records show things in a neat linear fashion but we do not experience life in that way. The Chapel here represents the efforts of early colonisers to recreate England and at the same time control errant convicts. resulting in eccentric elegance typical of Tasmania. The Palm represents the idea of a foreign exotic which strangely links us all, a the group of figures are the throwing together of different backgrounds a confusing interaction of desires, suffering and  conflicting  values, beliefs and taboos. 

 

Canary Date Palm Phoenix Canariensi

not even from England but visible in its large form in various places in Tasmania from the Devenport foreshore, around colonial period buildings and recently planted infant of the  MONA winery at Berridale., Originally appealing in its reference to the exotic   far away colony where mystery adventure could be found. This is how colonies were seen by Europe and popular at the time. Palm trees not native to Tasmania thrived and  add to the islands mystique and drama. Planted near Georgian and Federation buildings they created a foreign aesthetic and at the time symbolised  a new era of Australian identity. some now 11 meters high and over 100 years old planted before WW1 they   have reached the vision of the ones who tended them most likely from seeds from the Hobart Botanical Gardens, This is a strange presence in the Tasmanian landscape  revealing  our past and present mindsets. from indigenous cultures, and European influence. Here the palm is the black swan,

 

Group under Palm 

The group image is used in a repeat wallpaper motif typical of the 1800 and early 1900’s.

The group of figures are ambiguous, created to show complexities of interactions and relationships  and imagined affections. Used as a wallpaper motif typical of the Victorian era the idea of prettiness is challenged with the group depicting the   struggles of change.. The pale blue background refers to Christopher Wren and Wedgewood blues popular at the time and hinting at lost innocence, themes of choice, plans for the future, identity, homesickness, personal relationships, growth and identity and conflict.

 

Trinity Church 

The Trinity Church now known as the Penitentiary Chapel is  one of Australia’s most important historic  buildings  It embodies human struggles to define and survive in its multi purpose uses and design. The site was firstly army and convict barracks with solitary confinement cells housed in a floor under the  pews it later became a prison and Court room used till the 1980s The beauty of the building and clock tower represents the desires of many to create an outstanding ordered and proper life in Tasmania in confusing sometimes violent circumstances in a place of great natural beauty and Georgian elegance.

 

Black swan theory and Tasmania 

This is a metaphor describing an event that comes as a surprise, has a major effect and is inappropriately rationalised.  When the phrase was coined by by Juvenal a 2nd Century Roman Poet black swans were thought to not exist, the modern use of the term teaches that our frames of reference and logic can be undone by one black swan event. This expression is so suited to Tasmania where so many things are not what they seem and unexpected events have occurred, not only to European explorers but also in modern society. This idea was developed by the writer Nassim Nicholas Taleb tin 2001 to explain the disproportionate role of  rare events beyond the realm of expectation.

 

Tourism 

The pastime of Tourism is also part of this display. Early settlers would take trips up the Derwent river to New Norfolk admiring  views enjoying  a relaxing day of sight seeing. When Port Arthur was closed in 1877 the site became a  popular tourist destination. Tourism featuring places of suffering holds a long history with visits to places of hangings popular in Europe into the late 1800’s. Ghost and prison tours are popular today world wide.

Tourism gives space and time for appreciation of the built and natural environment as well as reflection on days past forming identity and understanding and a way of socialising. Tourism is also an occupation where we judge others mingling in crowds we find where we fit into social structures or hierarchies. The ‘grand tour’ of Europe originally for idle aristocrats become a middle and also upper lower class occupation where local customs and ‘relics’ were eagerly bought such as the Breton t-shirt and stones from Pompeii. Woman were encouraged to make attractive watercolours, men smoked cigars and boasted knowledge of classical literature and history. Judgments were placed; clothes, accents, manners and depth of engagement were scrutinised.

 

Artefact and memento collection a habit  of early tourism is still popular today worldwide, leading to the loss of Shells on beaches and convict bricks around the state, influx of low quality imported products as well as the loss of more significant objects.

 

 

The Model Kit 

The kit is designed in the tradition of the tasteful tourist memento. Making models allow time for reflection on a journey and makes a great gift for those who did not attend .They are available of French Loire valley castles and the major European Cathedrals. Educational, light to carry and tasteful they are the perfect gift and memory of a visit to Hobart Town!  Purchase at Trinity Church corner Campbell St &, Brisbane St, Hobart TAS 7000 or through klaaske@bigpond.com $22 incl postage.

 

References 

Tourists Lucy Lethbridge

Hobart Town Peter Bolger

Van Diemens Land  James Boyce

Black Swan Theory  Wikipedia