This is not the Brooklyn Bridge in New York, as one might be tempted to think initially. What we are looking at is the bridge across Part Jackson harbour in Sidney, the capitol of New South Wales in Australia. Young artist Katharine Cullen's grandfather studied the bridge carefully and photographed it amidst all the harbour activities from his quayside apartment's balcony. One hundred and seventy-two shots from 1981 to 1988 were edited and animated by his granddaughter. With enormous speed they are fired at the viewer's retina. We think of granddad Cullen on his balcony. Like a true harbour master he keeps an eye on the shipping traffic, and then becomes fascinated with the view that keeps changing with each hour of the day. Like the French impressionists and the Dutch painters of seascapes, Van de Velde and Mesdag, he is mesmerized by the changing light and the rich colours in the sky. He decides to document this view, not only in the daytime but at night as well. But however special and lovely his pictures might be, his were not the only eyes to notice this beauty. Each year thoUSAnds of tourists visit this mercantile harbour city and take the same pictures. They come from far and wide, by plane, boat or train and we hear the sounds of their transportation in the background. This short video is intended as a parody on a picture that is special and yet very common.
– Marieke van Hal
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Foto's: Dudley Fitzpatrick, Thanks to: College of fine arts, John Gillies, John Hughes, Greg O'Reilly, The Resource Centre
Katharine Cullen ° 1975, Sydney (Australia)
Lives and works in Balmain (Australia)
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