The Pillars

Highpoint is a culturally diverse part of Melbourne, with people from over 270 countries and their diverse heritages calling our community home. To celebrate this rich tapestry of cultural origins, this installation invites the participant to immerse themselves in the different countries to gain a glimpse of the cultural diversity and reflect on the beauty of our global landscape.
 
This marvellous installation takes its form as a bench where shoppers can take a moment to relax. Protruding from the benches are six pillars, each covered in LED panels. These pillars act as a window into another part of the world, displaying beautiful landscape imagery from countries including Australia, Italy, Vietnam, India, Colombia and Ethiopia. 
 
These luminous pillars will transport spectators to the very heart of these landscapes, instilling a sense of wanderlust, reverence and unity with our awe-inspiring planet. Soundscapes will accompany these mystical visuals creating a unique, multisensory experience. The experience will be controlled by the user, who can select the country they wish to be displayed. The audience will learn about the intended country through information displayed on a smaller, accompanying screen.
 
This captivating piece, reminiscent of a portal to distant realms, is a testament to the fusion of technology and artistic vision. As each pillar flickers to life, vibrant hues and breathtaking vistas from diverse countries emerge, embracing viewers in a whirlwind of visual poetry.
 
An attestation to the boundless beauty of the world, this installation ignites an opportunity to reconnect with home, wherever that may be, reminding us that amongst diversity, we find unity and wonder.
 
Highpoint is proud to present ‘Pillars’ as part of its Highpoint Art Journey.

Seven Pillars

The Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation follow seven seasons, marked by changes in the land, animals and plants. For NAIDOC Week, artist Ky-ya Nicholson Ward joins us to share the Wurundjeri Seasons Calendar and the stories behind each season.

biderap 
Dry Season (January to February) 

Hot, dry days stretch across the landscape. Grasses turn brown and the bush becomes quiet in the heat. This is the time for cool burns – small, low fires carefully managed to care for Country and promote healthy regrowth. Reptiles are active, and hunting often happens after dark when the land cools.

iuk

Eel Season (March)

A short but important season marked by the migration of eels. Eels travel from inland waterways toward the sea to spawn, and people gather along creeks and rivers to harvest them. It’s a time of movement, abundance and community gatherings at places like the Birrarung (Yarra River).

warin

Wombat Season (April to July)

The land cools. Mornings are misty, rains return and the earth sofens. Wombats venture out during the day, looking for food. This long, cold season encourages oeioke to stay closer to shelter, relying on stored resources and oral storytelling to pass down knowledge.

guling 
Orchid Season (August)

The first signs of spring emerge. Native orchids bloom and insects return. Days become noticeably longer and warmer. Migratory birds start to arrive, and their calls are welcomed as signs that winer is lifting.

porneet 

Tadpole Season (September to October)

Freshwater creeks and wetlands come alive with frogs and tadpoles. The air is filled with the sound of croaking, and plants grow fast under warmer sun. this is a time of reneal – young life is everywhere, and food sources become more plentiful.

garru 

Grass Flowering Season (November) 

Native grasses flower and spread seed across the land. Birds are busy nesting and raising their young. The weather warms, but the days are still stable. Gathering and harvesting continue, preparing for the hotter months ahead.

garrawang

Hot wind season (December) 

Warm winds blow through the trees, and summer storms begin to build. The land becomes drier and more fire-prone. People watch for signs of lightning and sudden weather changes. It’s a time of transition – readying once more for Biderap.

Artist Bio

Ky-ya Nicholson Ward is a 22 year old Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrng, Ngurai illum Wurrung, German and Irish woman. She is based in Naarm (Melbourne). Ky-ya is a passionate First Nations artist who tells the stories of her ancestors, family and Country. She also uses her art to educate and to advocate political issues around the world. Ky-ya is also an activist, educator, mentor and dancer with Djirri Djirri Cultural Services.

Highpoint is proud to present ‘Seven Seasons’ as part of its Highpoint Art Journey.