Meditation on Country
Meditation on Country brings together Indigenous knowledges and Western astrophysics through charting Creation time and evolutionary events. The immersive experience is generated by combining scientific and cultural datasets through an array of machine-learning (ML) models trained through cultural programming protocols. Interrogating technology as cultural practice, this experience intends to deepen our connection to the universe and Country through the power of resonance, language, and story.
The ML-generated space and earth data visualisations and sonification feature resonance, language, and story as key elements within evolution and Creation. Our Elders tell us, when knowledge is in the muscle, it is embodied, and part of the belief system. The veracity of knowledge is maintained through strict rules embedded within language, and performative cultural techniques.
Close your eyes.
Breathe.
The two bodies of knowledges: Western astrophysics and Indigenous Sky knowledge represent the two paradigms of being and knowing. Within the artwork, the Yuwaalaraay creation story provides the map for the proceeding ML simulations, and in doing so, nudges the science philosophy and methodologies. Key evolutionary events from both paradigms of knowledges include The Big Bang, a supernova, and the beginnings of life on Earth.
Throughout the creative development of the artwork, we used an array of early to contemporary ML models, mindfully selected datasets, the programming of these models, and the training of datasets with rules through cultural protocols. One such model is the earliest form of automation, predating ML, known as Game of Life, a cellular automaton, created by mathematician, John Conway in 1970. Following the Game of Life model we used deep neural networks, DDSP Neural Networks, Shaders used for some visuals, Boids, LLM, and Stable diffusion. All models and their respective datasets were chosen to conceptually align with key evolutionary events, enabling the visualisations and sonification to be be likened to a cross-cultural simulation.
As we move through the chaos of the Big Bang, the universe stretches and contracts, in an accordion-like movement, known as the Baryonic Acoustic Oscillations.
A visual sequence simulating the Cosmic Microwave Background, leading to the most significant evolutionary event in the history of the Universe.
The Supernova.
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As our Elders will attest, the power of creation will always be through vibration, resonance, language and our culture’s phenomenal ability to connect, to Country and Kin.
Made in consultation with Indigenous consultants and collaborators: Elders, Uncle Ghillar, Michael Anderson, and, Aunty Bronwyn Penrith. Eric Avery on violin and vocals, Emma Donovan, on vocals, and a poem by Kirli Saunders.
Other key collaborators include: James Peter Brown, Composer and Sound Designer, and Kieran Browne, ML programmer.
Astrophysics consultants: Nobel Laureate and Distinguished Professor Brian Schmidt AC FRS FAA FTSE, and Karlie Noon.
