Ara Irititja: protecting the past, accessing the future - Indigenous
memories in a digital age examines the way Anangu (Pitjantjatjara & Yankunytjatjara
people) are using digitally-based information technology to protect and
secure their past. Focusing on the work of the Ara
Irititja Project,
it details how materials of historical significance – previously
inaccessible to Anangu – are tracked down, copied and digitally
returned to communities living in remote parts of Central Australia.
This includes unearthing early film and sound recordings, rare photographs,
explorer's journals and memories of first and early contact.
 Rightside
Response designed six large narrative panels and two of the interactive
computer programs featured in this exhibition.
Each narrative panel tells
a part of the Ara Irititja story – the
story of how one remote Indigenous community is using digital technology
to hand on its culture and history to younger generations. Through a
seamless combination of high-quality scans and photographs of real objects,
Rightside Response’s panels evoke particular aspects of Ara Irititja's
goals, development and achievements.
 Beginnings: how
the Project got started and the significance of electronically repatriating
materials to Anangu. |
 Following
Tracks: how the project equips Anangu to track
down cultural and historical material in unfamiliar terrains (private
collections and public institutions). |
 Building
an Electronic Archive: why conditions on the Anangu
Pitjantjatjara Lands make it impossible for original materials
to be returned to Anangu and how new technologies can overcome
this problem. |
 Sharing Information: how the development of the
electronic archive is enabling Anangu to monitor and control
the way in which their cultural/historical information is used in
the non-Anangu world. |
 Cultural
Issues: how the software design of the electronic archive
allows the cultural management of materials in accordance with
traditional expectations, sensitivities and protocols. |
 Remote,
Rugged and Returned: how and why the project came to design
the 'Niri Niri' (a robust, mobile workstation). |
Funded by Visions of Australia, a Commonwealth Government Program, the
exhibition is scheduled to visit 13 venues in South Australia, Northern
Territory and Victoria between 2003 and 2005.
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Exhibition
Itinerary |
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South
Australian Museum, Adelaide, SA.
01/10/2003 - 22/11/2003 |
Alice
Springs Public Library, Alice Springs, NT
01/12/2003 - 26/01/2004 |
Roxby
Downs Regional Gallery, Roxby Downs, SA.
09/02/2004 - 29/02/2004 |
Fountain
Gallery, Port Augusta, SA.
08/03/2004 - 28/03/2004 |
Wudinna Artsplace, Wudinna,
SA.
05/04/2004 - 25/04/2004 |
Memorial Hall Artspace,
Ceduna, SA.
03/05/2004 - 23/05/2004 |
ArtsUp Supper Room Studio,
Streaky Bay, SA.
31/05/2004 - 20/06/2004 |
| Berri
Arts Centre, Berri, SA. 28/06/2004 - 18/07/2004 |
Winmante
Arts Inc, Berri, SA.
26/07/2004 - 15/08/2004 |
Pomberuk
Cultural Centre, Murray Bridge, SA.
23/08/2004 - 12/09/2004 |
Camp
Coorong - Race
Relations Cultural Education Centre, Meningie, SA.
20/09/2004 - 10/10/2004 |
Millicent Art Gallery,
Millicent, SA.
18/10/2004 - 07/11/2004 |
Museum Victoria, Melbourne,
VIC.
12/2004 - 02/2005 |
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Interactive multimedia programs featured in this exhibition
 Ernabella Video Television Display
Social History Unit, Pitjantjatjara Council
This
interactive display showcases material produced by Ernabella Video Television — a
television station owned and operated by a Pitjantjatjara community in the
1980s.
 "Ara
Winki: Life on the Pitjantjatjara Lands" DVD-Rom
Social History Unit, Pitjantjatjara Council
This interactive educational program explores the richness
and complexity of Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara lives. Incorporating an
extensive
amount
of rare visual, audio and textural information, the program boasts more than
1500 images, 2 hours of digital video footage, some 40 bilingual oral interviews
and over 100 Pitjantjatjara language sound files. More
info.
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