By Tanya Steele
Of Birds and Monuments is an exhibition on the way to The Memo Healesville on Sunday 4 June at 2pm with a collaborative and immersive performance featuring three music pieces which explore Indigenous and nature themes within a variety of mediums.
The trio of collaborative suites offers a connection through music, Indigenous history in landmarks and stories and also explores the plight of the Helmeted Honeyeater bird.
Each suite is individual in nature but has shared themes that enhance the whole.
Coady Green, one half of the piano group Duo Exclectica said the idea for one of the pieces Herring Island Piano Sonata – which was composed by Professor Linda Kouvara, came about during one of the Melbourne lockdowns.
It was formed in collaboration and features text from N’arweet Dr Carolyn Briggs AM, a Boon Wurrung senior Elder who is the chairperson and founder of the Boon Wurrung Foundation.
The sonata is intricate, with Tikiki Onus narrating the voice alongside the piano.
Mr Onus is a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung artist, performer, filmmaker and academic with personal history and connection to Healesville
The suite also features audio of natural soundscapes by Dr Roger Alsop from the locations mentioned in the story.
“There are platypus noises and also a lot of waterways as they are so important to the central story, it is this incredible piece and quite powerful,” Mr Green said.
Mr Green said he felt the gap in his knowledge of the original stories behind the area and recognised he’s been living on the land and not known about its heritage before.
“There’s such an important and vibrant Indigenous history in every part of the city we walk across,” he said.
Mr Green said that it is a unique piece of music because of the way classical piano sonata combines with Indigenous themes and narration.
After some success with the Herring Island work a follow up was developed and again composed by Professor Linda Kouvara.
Buluwirri Bugaja Piano Suite features generational stories which originate in Heasleville and is written and performed by Tiriki Onus.
“It is Tikiki’s own story and all of that family history originates in Healesville,” Mr Green said.
“It will be the world premiere performance of this suite.”
Duo Eclettico will also perform Jane Hammond’s Songs of the Helmeted Honeyeater featuring, piano, saxophone, film and narration.
The work tells the story of Victoria’s critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater bird, and the work of the local conservationists to save the species.
The piece is by director, writer, and producer Theresa Borg, alongside a new film by Angus Hamilton.
Mr Green said he hopes to continue performing the suites within Australia and overseas.
“All the pieces have such interesting stories, particularly the Indigenous ones, people are interested to hear them,” he said.
There will be a panel discussion following the performance featuring, Justin and Coady from Duo Eclettico, Tiriki Onus, Jane Hammond, Linda Kouvaras and Virginia Wallace.
Mr Green said he hopes the show will resonate with people.
“The show has an exploration of hidden stories that people aren’t aware of and the Indigenous respect for land and environment really shines through them,” he said.
Tickets are available via The Memo website and the performance is on 4 June.
