Artists in three European countries want to promote the Aboriginal cause By Diet Simon
Cologne, Germany - - A group of artists in Germany, Poland and Switzerland have formed an association to promote the Aboriginal cause in Europe. "artalfa e.V." say that "unfortunately our suspicion that international pressure on the Australian government for its race policy has waned greatly since the 2000 Olympics is being confirmed more and more." All seven artalfa founder members for various reasons have a strong affinity to Aboriginal art and culture and feel driven by that to intervene "in the tense issue of Australia and its indigenous peoples, and move it up the world agenda again," as board member, Susanne Reinhard, based in Darmstadt, Germany, explained to me. The group says on its web site: "There are many examples in history that when politics fails and media only document and manipulate, the arts perform the role of mediator, can ease conflicts, cross borders and unite. Employing the most universal language of the world - art, a r t a l f a e. V. has established a dialogue with Aborigines, and pays tribute to their long-lasting culture. We would like to convince those who are in power that there exists world interest in the culture of our ancestors. The need to preserve it for the future generations is our duty. a r t a l f a e. V. treats art as another dimension in the fight for true values in our culture. Due to its symbolic power, art also contributes to communication and prompts the actions on the part of political movers and shakers." Two other board members among the musicians, sculptors and painters are Richard Byrdy (Darmstadt) and Artur Gburek (Czeszyn, Poland). Reinhard tells me the group are trying initially to put together a large information network among human rights organisations. "In the main," writes Reinhard, "artalfa e. V. is interested in the reconciliation process." For some time, she says, they have unsuccessfully tried to get specific figures on what the Australian government owes the stolen generations. "The size of the debt payable is a not inconsiderable brake on the reconciliation process." Reinhard says they have not been able to get figures from ATSIC, HREOC, ENIAR, amnesty international or the German Society for Threatened Peoples. The group aims to build a monument in Sydney commemorating Aborigines. "The monument commemorating the original inhabitants of Australia could be a convincing gesture accompanying the apology by the Australian government for wrongs committed towards Aborigines." They explain (and picture) the idea of the monument, to be shaped like a didge, at http://www.artalfa.com/index-eng.htm. Perhaps their most salient words about it are: "We are aware that building monuments has not played any significant role in the Aboriginal culture and tradition, and certainly is more of a European way of expressing memory and praise. We know, however, that the Aborigines recognize and celebrate similar sculptural forms which are present in their history in the form of monuments created by nature (e.g., rock arrangements, monoliths, grottos)." " artalfa e. V. is run solely by volunteers and not only for that reason depends on all kinds of support." Their contact details: a r t a l f a e. V., Susanne Reinhard, c/o Richard Byrdy, Arheilger Weg 13, 64380 Ro�dorf, Germany, www.artalfa.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
