GIANT SPIDERS SEND SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ANTARCTICA

Two talented Tasmanian school students will be winging their way to Antarctica as
the result of a high school science-art competition run by the Bookend Trust, and
it’s all thanks to giant prehistoric spiders the size of a dinner-plate.

The spiders are the centre point of Bookend’s SIXTEEN LEGS: Enter the Cave
Exhibition, which introduces people to the world of caves and the animals that live within
them. Of these animals, the giant Tasmanian Cave Spider is a holdover from the time of
the dinosaurs, and from when Antarctica, South America and Australia split apart.

As part of the Exhibition, 25 high school students from across the state submitted a
variety of works in response to their learning and experiences with experts in Tasmanian
caves. The project included schools from Tasman, St Mary’s, Launceston, Hobart and
Ulverstone.

The standard of the entries in this competition was incredibly high, and the judges
(Kirsha Kaechele from MONA and Professor Peter Davies from UTAS) spent several
intense hours examining and discussing them in detail. The judges commented: “It’s
really inspiring to see all of the work. It’s amazing how much great work there is, in
quality and diversity. The competition is so serious – it’s really tough.”

Julia Parker from Smithton High and Sophie Ambler from Clarence High were joint
winners of the Antarctic flight. Julia composed an original classical musical interpretation
of her visit to the caves, while Sophie created an allegorical audio-visual installation.
Independently, both judges concluded that Julia and Sophie should be joint winners and
that the girls should collaborate on an interpretation of their Antarctic experience.

Hobart businessman and philanthropist Robert Pennicott was so impressed with the work
of all of the students that he has also offered double passes for his wilderness cruises to
the other students who came close to winning.

The Bookend Trust is a Tasmanian based education initiative, funded by people who want to inspire future careers in our students. Between now and November, Bookend will be offering other students the opportunity to win an Antarctic flight.

The Exhibition has been receiving rave reviews from visitors. It is free and open daily from 11am – 5pm at the Rosny Barn. Hobart audiences have until Sunday afternoon to see the Exhibition, including the work of Julia, Sophie and the other students. It is then planned to tour the exhibition to Launceston and the north-west.

Background information

Summary of Cave ART judging and decisions.
25 student works covering a variety of interpretations, styles and materials – including paint, graphite, plaster, preservation of webs, dreamcatchers, dioramas, living ecosystems, sculptures, photography, musical compositions, video installations, and constructions that could be viewed and even entered into! These works came from students across the state at Tasman, Taroona, Calvin, Kingston, Ogilvie, Hutchins, Clarence, St Marys, Launceston, Ulverstone and Smithton.
The standard of the entries in this competition was incredibly high, and the judges (Kirsha Kaechele from MONA and Professor Peter Davies from UTAS) spent several intense hours examining and discussing them in detail. The judges commented: “It’s really inspiring to see all of the work. It’s amazing how much great work there is, in quality and diversity. The competition is so serious – it’s really tough.”

FOR ALL STUDENTS:
As a result of this high standard, Bookend will gift each of the 25 students with a copy of the upcoming “A Visit to the Queen of the Dark” book showcasing Jodee Taylah’s art from the centre of the exhibition. Students will also receive short comments/feedback from the judges on their work.

SPECIAL MENTIONS:
We’d love to mention everyone, but we have to keep it to a select few:
• Underground World – Lachy Gregory, Calvin Christian School (beautiful photography);
• Untitled – Blossom Kollo-Hay, Ogilvie High School (clever and eye catching work);
• Untitled – Joey Nykiel, St Marys District School (great cast work and high effort);
• Living Cave in a Bottle – Cedrick Smith, Tasman District High School (inspired creation of a living artwork).
• In Light there is Dark and in Dark there is Light – Poorniima Shanmugam, Ogilvie High School (Striking piece that attracted a lot of attention from visitors).

SO, SO CLOSE:
There were several works that would have been standout winners in any other competition. Four entries came very close, either because of the level of work and their technical ability and precision, or because of the inventiveness of their ideas. For these four works, we are pleased to say that Pennicott Wilderness Journeys has offered these students a free double-pass on one of their ocean day cruises.

These works were (in random order):
• If I was a Spider – Claudia Harris, Ogilvie High School (conceptually clever, beautiful and delicate);
• Untitled – Kyle Fitzpatrick, Tasman District High School (technically brilliant, detailed and thoughtful piece);
• Untitled – Chloe Weatherhead, Kingston High School (careful, beautiful and extremely talented work);
• Beauty in Darkness – Olivia Howe, Taroona High School (beautiful and elegant piece).
THE WINNER IS:
A tie.
Not just a tie between the judges, but both judges arrived at the same tie in their individual assessments. When questioned in detail by Bookend, it was clear that it was a genuine tie with both judges unable to decide between the two entries.

Those entries and the judges’ comments were:

• Vocavia Musica – Julia Parker, Smithton High School (stunning work, showing really well developed musicality and compositional sensibility).
• The Howling Mute – Sophie Ambler, Clarence High School (fabulous , sending shivers up the spine, and demanding to be re-watched).

The judges felt Julia’s work was simply beautiful and sensitive, with an ability to evoke space in sound. They would love to hear her soundscape of Antarctica, but they felt she would also benefit from an edge of the radicality shown in Sophie’s filmmaking.

In contrast, Sophie’s work was visually arresting, and conceptually deep. It had a strong emotional effect and was timed perfectly, but the judges felt her work would benefit from original musical components.

Both judges wanted to see more work from both students, and believed they should work together. They felt both would gain something from this experience and that it would take them both to the next level.

On the basis of this, Bookend is prepared to offer both Julia and Sophie a place on the 4-day Antarctic Experience program in February, including the flight to see Antarctica – provided they are prepared to work together to deliver a combined short piece for public display after the trip.

More information on the Bookend Trust

http://www.bookendtrust.com/whatdoesbookenddo (overview)

Founded by private individuals sacrificing their own income, the Bookend Trust works in partnership with the State Government, schools and the Pennicott Foundation to deliver positive environmental education projects for students and the community.

Bookend Awards
• 2013 Awards Australia – Tasmanian Community Achievement Award: Environment
• 2013 Best of the Under the Sea Film Festival Award – Plastic Shoreline
• 2013 The Under the Sea Film Festival Audience Favourite Award – Plastic Shoreline
• 2013 Tasmanian Australian of the Year – Bookend’s Andrew Hughes
• 2012 Banksia Award: GPT Group Community Grant for creating lasting and positive community impact
• 2012 Australian Geographic Society’s Conservationist of the Year
• 2012 United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Award for Community Outreach
• 2012 UTAS Vice Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Community Engagement
• 2012 Breath of Fresh Air (BOFA) Film Festival inaugural “Devil” Award for Innovation
• 2012 Medibank Active Tasmania Community Award
• 2012 Bryce Courtenay/Penguin Australia Power of One Australian Hero Award
• 2010 Tasmanian EPA Award for Environmental Excellence in Education
• 2009 Australian Geographic Society Spirit of Adventure Award
• 2008 Pride of Australia Medal
www.bookendtrust.com Dr Niall Doran (Director – Bookend Trust)