Earth shadow

Taken as we were leaving Tokyo. Either Mum or Sandy leant over the next passenger to snap this pic for me. I didn’t realise what it was at the time, all I knew was that it was pretty, and a bit unusual. Ive known about halos for a while, but i recently got a bit more interested in atmospheric optics after spotting this on the way back from Western Australia:

Glory

Since then I have discovered a group on Flickr, and a very beautiful, detailed and interesting page, all on atmospheric optics.

But I’m supposed to be studying. Actually, right now, I’m supposed to be working on an A1-sized poster promoting a piece of heritage. I have chosen to present a piece of artwork, a mural on the wall of the boardroom at work. The building previously belonged to a metalwork trade union group, and in the late 80’s they commissioned a piece to represent them. It is quite beautiful, and the artistic and political context of it is interesting. It was commissioned as part of the art and working life movement, through which the unions sought to encourage art - whether that be through craftsmanship, introducing people to new art forms, the production of art focused on workers’ lives, or simply enough time off for workers to pursue it as a producer or consumer - and investment in art, by Government and industry, via unions. The literature is heavily influenced by socialism, and the unions seem to spend quite a bit of time justifying their existence, but the stories/histories are very interesting.

I need to do a bit more reading, but much of the rest of the work this arvo will be in photoshop and powerpoint. Im supposed to submit it today. I have tried to get in contact with the artist to ask him a few questions about it and I’m hoping he will get back to me via Facebook at some stage today. If I dont hear from him until later, I will ask him my questions anyway. I’m planning to give the finished poster to my workplace, and the info I get from him can be added even after I have handed it up for marking.

I hope to get it done by 5pm, cos Sean is stranded up in Woomera at the moment and there is the possibility of going for a drive tonight to pick him up. A friend of his has offered to go up there with a trailer and tow him back - but I don’t know if I want to tag along for a 10hr return trip. I kinda do and I kinda don’t - 10hrs on the road ..... still thinking about that one. Well, better get on with it!