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Indigenous artist seeking white Australian to donate their “future deceased body” to an art installation

<p dir="ltr">An Indigenous artist has put a call out for Australians of “British descent” to donate their “future deceased body” to an art installation. </p> <p dir="ltr">Nathan Maynard, a well known Palawa artist and playwright, put an advertisement for the unusual request in the weekend edition of The Age newspaper.</p> <p dir="ltr">Maynard signed the bizarre request as a “palawa” artist: one of the terms First Nations people from Tasmania use when referring to themselves.  </p> <p dir="ltr">“Palawa artist wanting to find an Australian of British descent who is willing to donate their future deceased body to an art installation,” the notice read. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The work will speak to sacrifice for past sins perpetrated against the palawa. Potential applicants should see this opportunity as an honour.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“The body and memory of the successful applicant will be treated with the utmost respect at all stages of the project.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The call-out was quick to spark backlash when it was reposted on social media, with one writing, “You can’t just obtain bodies for display in newspapers now. This is very bizarre on multiple levels.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Others questioned the legality of the request, with one person writing, “I dunno that this would be legal, tampering with a corpse is a crime! You can donate your body to medical science, but I don’t think this.” </p> <p dir="ltr">Another wrote, “Borderline psychotic, definitely completely illegal.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the criticism, Mr Maynard told Daily Mail Australia that since the notice went to print, he has received half a dozen applications for their body to be used in the installation in November. </p> <p dir="ltr">The artist said if white Australians are upset by the request, they should ask themselves why they didn't have the same reaction to the mass murder of Aboriginal people. </p> <p dir="ltr">“If you’re not an Aboriginal person and you’re upset by this, I think you should ask yourself why you’re not upset that there is still First Nations remains that have been stolen from their people, stolen from their country in institutions all around the world that are still not repatriated to their own communities,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nathan said the motivation behind his installation revolves around the fact that thousands of First Nations people were killed by colonists, with their remains being sent overseas to be displayed in institutions and museums without a proper ceremony. </p> <p dir="ltr">“So many Aboriginal people's remains are still overseas. People are trying to bring their ancestors home and they are being denied that right,” Mr Maynard said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Human bodies are very sacred and they should be treated with respect.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Whitefellas obviously don't know how to handle remains with respect, so I'm going to show them how,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">The artwork has already received support from the state-funded Tasmanian Museum and Gallery and the Hobart City Council, which has donated $15,000 to the unusual installation.</p> <p dir="ltr">The artwork has been commissioned to appear as part of an exhibition for the popular Hobart Current biennial exhibition in November 2023. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Facebook / The Age</em></p>

Art

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Why it's important to install updates on your device

<p>Ever wondered if installing updates is worth the bother? Here's what you need to know.</p> <p>Whether you use an iPad, tablet, laptop or desktop computer, you have probably been prompted at one point to update your device. While these pop-up boxes may look like the spam you see on websites, they’re far from it.</p> <p>The device you use will have an operating system built into it, so iPads or Mac laptops will operate on Apple’s iOS system while tablets and laptops not made by Apple will run on Windows. Whichever system your device uses, it will eventually need an update. While it can be easy to dismiss the update notifications when they pop up on your screen, here’s why you shouldn’t.</p> <p><strong>What’s the point?</strong> <br />When a software program is developed, it is put through tests and quality checks and only once that has been satisfied is it released to the general public. However, once the software is out there in the world, and being used in real-life environments, it can come across little issues which get reported back to the developer. These companies then fix the issues and release the solutions as software updates.</p> <p>For electronic devices, especially laptops and desktop computers, security issues can be a big problem. Software updates include security solutions to malware or hackers, as well as fixes to bugs and any other issues that have occurred since the software was released.</p> <p><strong>Is it different to an upgrade?</strong><br />While they may sound similar, a software update and an upgrade provide two different functions. An update will install a current version of your software to your device, so basically updating your existing version of iOS or Windows. On the other side of the coin is an upgrade, which allows you to upgrade a program to its next major version. Generally, there will be a cost for a software upgrade.</p> <p><strong>How do I get updates?</strong><br />If your device is connected to the internet and it detects an update is available, it will prompt you with a notification message. This will alert you to the fact that an update is available and advise you of the next steps to step, such as clicking on a button on the notification message which will start the process for you.</p> <p>In System Settings on Apple devices and Control Panel for Windows devices, there’s an option where you can turn on automatic updating. This can provide significant benefits, such as improved security and reliability.</p> <p>Ultimately, software updates exist for a reason. While they may take a little while to download and install on your device, they are worth it. So, the next time that grey box pops up on your screen saying there’s an update available, click on it. It’ll keep your tablet or laptop secure and up-to-date with your software’s latest features.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Technology

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First look of Keanu Reeves in fourth John Wick installment

<p dir="ltr">The first trailer of <em>John Wick: Chapter 4</em> has finally been released.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hollywood heartthrob Keanu Reeves returns as John Wick in the fourth chapter of the series which is due for release on March 24, 2023.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You wanted him back. He’s back. Watch the first sneak peek for #JW4 – in theaters March 2023,” the movie’s official Twitter account wrote along with the trailer. </p> <p dir="ltr">The fourth installment will see the bounty for Wick’s head soar as he takes his fight against the High Table global.</p> <p dir="ltr">Wick also seeks out some of the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris to Osaka to Berlin.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">You wanted him back. He’s back. Watch the first sneak peek for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JW4?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JW4</a> – in theaters March 2023. <a href="https://t.co/3T0rMxLj5P">pic.twitter.com/3T0rMxLj5P</a></p> <p>— John Wick (@JohnWickMovie) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnWickMovie/status/1550888472134705152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Prior to the teaser trailer release, an official still from the film was shared on social media. </p> <p dir="ltr">It shows Reeves' Wick surrounded by candles and praying - possibly reflecting on the crazy life he’s led since his wife died and dog brutally killed. </p> <p dir="ltr">Watch this space! </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Movies

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PETA complaint leads to controversial art installation being dismantled

<p dir="ltr">A controversial art installation has been dismantled in Germany after animal rights organisation PETA filed a complaint. </p> <p dir="ltr">The installation titled <em>A Hundred Years</em>, first exhibited in 1990 by artist Damien Hirst, was designed to see hundreds of flies die, prompting outrage from PETA. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg museum was issued an oral warning from the German city’s veterinary office, to which Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg director Andreas Beitin told local media, “We thought flies were not covered by the Animal Welfare Act.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>A Hundred Years</em> consists of a glass display case partitioned in half, with flies being hatched on one side of the glass. </p> <p dir="ltr">When they venture through a hole in the partition, the flies are drawn to an artificial light which burns the flies on contact. </p> <p dir="ltr">The cycle continues until the end of its exhibition.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hirst has previously described the artwork as “a life cycle in a box.” </p> <p dir="ltr">In the original iteration, the flies flocked around a bloody cow’s head, to which curator Hans Ulrich Obrist described the work in its original form as “dangerous and frightening.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Killing animals has nothing to do with art, it only shows the arrogance of people who literally go over corpses for their own interests,” Peter Höffken of PETA said in a statement. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to Germany’s Animal Welfare Act, there “must be good reason for one to cause an animal harm.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The managing director of the art museum, Otmar Böhmer, told the German Press Agency that they agree with PETA’s sentiment. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We share the basic idea of the animal welfare organisation that animals are not there to entertain us or exploit them,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The museum said it will contact Hirst’s studio to establish whether <em>A Hundred Years</em> can be presented with artificial flies. If not, it has recommended that the work not be presented again.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Art

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How an unusual art installation from 2016 went viral

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An art installation created in 2016 by two Chinese artists has been given a new life online, with users on TikTok connecting to the piece. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The artwork, titled </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Can’t Help Myself</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, showcases a machine inside a glass cube with a robotic arm that is illuminated by fluorescent lighting. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The robot arm has one task: to sweep up an oozing dark red liquid, made to resemble blood, that slowly spills out in a perfect circle. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The machine works endlessly on a task that is never finished, to showcase the tiring feeling of endless labour. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every now and then, the task is interrupted when the robotic arm breaks into a series of dance moves, giving the machine scarily human characteristics. </span></p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jRjrI42WsH4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Created by artists </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sun Yuan and Peng Yu for New York’s </span><a href="https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/34812"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Guggenheim Museum</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, the piece uses “visual-recognition sensors and software systems to examine our increasingly automated global reality, one in which territories are controlled mechanically and the relationship between people and machines is rapidly changing.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the exhibit was first installed in 2016, footage of the machine slowing down has gone viral on TikTok, with many younger audiences finding their own devastating meaning in the piece. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It looks frustrated with itself, like it really wants to be finally done,” one comment with over 350,000 likes reads. “It looks so tired and unmotivated,” another said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another emotional user commented, “This is what trauma feels like. You can sweep it away but it’s always there no matter what you do.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One Twitter user analysed the work, claiming the piece was about “the hydraulic fluid in relation to how we kill ourselves both mentally and physically for money just in an attempt to sustain life, how the system is set up for us to fail on purpose to essentially enslave us and to steal the best years of our lives.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With all art, </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Can’t Help Myself</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is open to interpretation by an objective audience, with the artists welcoming people’s thoughts on its greater meaning.  </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Regardless of how it influences each person, the hypnotising installation has cemented itself in the creative zeitgeist, with audiences finding similarities between their own struggles and a programmed bionic machine. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Twitter</span></em></p>

Art

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Creator of Uluru’s Field of Light launches new exhibition in Darwin

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prolific light artist Bruce Munro is back again to dazzle tourists and locals alike in Darwin with his latest light-driven installation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The latest exhibit stretches across 2.5kms around Darwin’s city centre and features eight illuminated sculptures by Munro, whose a world renowned artist.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3w58f5lhfl/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3w58f5lhfl/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Bruce Munro: Tropical Light opens November 1st Darwin, Australia.Fireflies, copyright © 2019 Bruce Munro. All rights reserved. Photography by Mark Pickthall.</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/brucemunrostudio/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Bruce Munro</a> (@brucemunrostudio) on Oct 18, 2019 at 8:12am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Munro was inspired by the Northern Territory’s capital city and is the first citywide exhibition in the world.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The collection reflects Munro’s personal history of visiting Australia as well as the Northern Territory.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This is a collection of smaller installations and a very different experience to Field of Lights,” Mr Munro told </span><a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/australian-holidays/northern-territory/creator-of-ulurus-field-of-light-launches-new-exhibition-in-darwin/news-story/003b3522311a1e3d4d96b451c20ed9d0"><span style="font-weight: 400;">news.com.au</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnmRCh7BFaQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnmRCh7BFaQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">One of my favourite Fields of Light, Uluru, Australia - Jane OConnor, Bruce Munro Studio. Photographs by Mark Pickthall and Serena Munro</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/brucemunrostudio/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Bruce Munro</a> (@brucemunrostudio) on Sep 11, 2018 at 12:40pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Those coming to Darwin for Tropical Lights will experience the beautiful city … which has everything a big city has but slightly more condensed. This exhibition is not about me plonking sculptures from (the) other side of the world and putting them in Darwin, the sculptures are inspired by Darwin.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“So I am interested to see if people enjoy it and feel and think the same as I did when I first came here.”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4VKb-HlSw6/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4VKb-HlSw6/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Bruce Munro: Tropical Light, Darwin Australia. November 1st 2019 - April 30th 2020. Photography by Serena Munro, copyright © 2019 Bruce Munro. All rights reserved. A huge thank you to @fusionexhibitionandhire &amp; @NTmajorevents an install we will never forget ❤️@tropicallights.darwin</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/brucemunrostudio/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Bruce Munro</a> (@brucemunrostudio) on Nov 1, 2019 at 10:09am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The Tropical Light exhibit in Darwin is open until the 30th of April 2020. </p>

Domestic Travel

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How to install solar lights

<p>Garden features can be highlighted subtly using solar lights, which don’t require mains power as they feature internal batteries that are charged by a solar panel. This is usually attached to the light itself or positioned nearby.</p> <p><strong>Step 1: Position solar panel</strong></p> <p>Choose a sunny spot in the garden and position the panel by driving the plastic stake into the ground. The lights will operate best if the panel is north-facing and receives sun for most of the day.</p> <p><strong>Step 2: Attach leads</strong></p> <p>Insert the leads into the panel and run them across the lawn or the garden bed out of the way so they’re not a trip hazard. Secure the leads by pegging them into the ground every metre using stainless steel pegs.</p> <p><strong>Step 3: Switch on lights</strong></p> <p>Leave the panel in the sun for several days to charge the batteries, then set the switch on the solar panel to automatic. The solar sensor will turn on the lights once the sun has set. If the lights are dim or don’t work, reposition the panel.</p> <p><em>Republished with permission of </em><a href="http://www.handyman.net.au/how-install-solar-lights"><em>Handyman Australia</em></a><em>.</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Experience the magic: Uluru transformed by Field of Light installation

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Understandably, when people think of an artistic light show within Australia, they think of Vivid, which uses Sydney Harbour as its canvas and lights up the city for a short period of time in winter.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, there’s a new light installation that’s turning heads with an iconic Australian landmark as its background.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Field of Light</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by artist Bruce Munro is spread out at the base of Uluru. The amazing light installation is made up of more than 50,000 glass orbs that are elevated on handcrafted stems. The installation is spread over an area the size of nine football fields and must be seen to be believed.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw_SCRjF4dZ/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw_SCRjF4dZ/" target="_blank">The immersive art installation #fieldoflights under the Milky way in the middle of the desert.. What a wonderful experience! 😍 . . . . . . . #brunomunro #fieldoflightuluru #ulururock #ulurukatatjuta #visituluru #ulurunationalpark #seeuluru #ulurutrip #exploreuluru #ulurukatatjukanationalpark #ulurustatement #outbackaustralia #northernterritory #seeaustralia #redcentre #ig_australia #ayersrock #ig_discover_australia #lifeofaustralia #australiashots #australiagram #centralaustralia #sacredheart #wow_australia2019 #artinstallation #light</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/mari_woo_/" target="_blank"> Mari Woo</a> (@mari_woo_) on May 2, 2019 at 10:32pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The installation travelled a fair way to get to Uluru. The whole installation weighs 15 tonnes and was transported more than 19,000 kilometres across 32 domestic and international flights to make its way to the middle of Australia.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the artist lives in the UK, getting it here was no easy task.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another cool part about the installation is that it’s powered by solar. The spheres are connected by glowing optical fibre and begin to light up as the night falls and the stars begin to come out over Uluru.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The bulbs slowly begin to change colours, which then creates a field of light.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instead of being amongst the crowds like you would at Vivid, you’ll mostly find yourself alone as you explore this massive art installation in the middle of Australia. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Field of Light</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> installation has been extended until the end of 2020, much to the delight of the artist. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I am greatly moved and humbled by the enormous response to the artwork,” Munro explained in a </span><a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/australian-holidays/northern-territory/aussie-travel-experience-that-should-be-on-your-bucket-list/news-story/5114d747fd23b6ca48deab9561ffe79d"><span style="font-weight: 400;">statement</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s obvious the combination of the exhibition and a canvas as visceral as this — flourishing from red dirt and tufts of spinifex, in the shadows of nature’s biggest shape-shifter, Uluru, is immensely powerful to people.”</span></p>

Domestic Travel

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New light installation to illuminate Darwin this October

<p>Bruce Munro is no stranger to illumination. In 2016, the English installation artist immersed the Australian desert with <em>Field of Light</em>: a large-scale, site-specific, light-based artwork that spread across Uluru.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BP5xkfbBnI5/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BP5xkfbBnI5/" target="_blank">Have you seen the Field of Light display at Uluru? It's on for another year so you really should take the opportunity. Remember there is so much to see and do while you're there. Walk around Uluru, take a camel ride and visit Kata Tjuta to name a few. #traveloutbackaust</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/traveloutbackaustralia/" target="_blank"> Travel Outback Australia</a> (@traveloutbackaustralia) on Jan 30, 2017 at 12:57pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Tropical Light</em> will be the largest of Munro’s undertaken exhibitions, and is predicted to attract large crowds of domestic and international visitors.</p> <p>His new exhibition, Bruce Munro: Tropical Light will no doubt take Darwin by storm comparably. The glowing spectacle will run from October 2019 to April 2020, and run through the Darwin CBD and Waterfront precinct.</p> <p>The display will feature a collection of both existing and new work, heavily influenced by Australia and the Northern Territory: both its landscape and its people.</p> <p>“Every city has its own unique fingerprint and Darwin is no exception to the rule,” Mr Munro said.</p> <p>“It is a very relaxed, cultural and culinary melting pot located at the top end of Australia between a vast tropical forest and an aquamarine coastline. Darwin is a veritable jewel that shines bright after each tropical downpour…it’s a place of adventure and inspiration.”</p> <p>We’re looking forward to seeing Tropical Light in all its glory this October.</p> <p><em>Written by Jemma Newlyn. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/light-installation-darwin-october/"><em>My Discoveries.</em></a></p>

Domestic Travel

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Best&Less boss: “Why I’ll never install self-serve checkouts”

<p>Self-serve checkouts have become synonymous with Australian retail outlets over the last few years, but the man behind one of the country’s most instantly-recognisable retail chains has explained why he’ll never install them at his stores.</p> <p>In an interview with <a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>News.com.au</strong></em></span></a>, Rod Orrock, the chief executive of Best&amp;Less, says he’s bucking the self-serve checkout trend because it isn't fair to shoppers.</p> <p>Orrock says the automated technology drives him “insane”, adding that he believed it was unreasonable for shoppers to be expected to essentially “do the retailers work”.</p> <p>Best&amp;Less is facing increasing pressure in the battle against competitors like Kmart, Target and Big W with the arrival of US online shopping giant Amazon, but Orrock is sticking to his guns and believe’s the retail outlets decision to focus on back to school specials will pay dividends.</p> <p>“Back to School is a significant spike for apparel retailers and it happens at an otherwise quiet time of year,” Mr Orrock told <a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>News.com.au</strong></em></span></a>.</p> <p>Mr Orrock again touched on his insistence to stick with staffed checkouts, even when his competitors seemed to be moving to automated options.</p> <p>“Personally, it drives me insane when I turn up to the checkout with a full basket and I have to do the retailer’s work for them,” he said.</p> <p>“Check-outs are a key touch point between customers and the company, they can come with their questions and talk to our staff and I think that’s really important.</p> <p>“It doesn’t make sense; I’m not a great supporter of (self-serve check-outs). We’re committed to providing our customers with a person, face-to-face, to assist them.”</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Do you go for staffed checkouts? Or do you prefer self-serve? Let us know in the comments section below, we’d love to hear from you. </p>

Retirement Income

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Popular attraction installs pedestrian speed bumps

<p>An ancient water town in China has installed almost a hundred “speed bumps” at the walkway of its entrance to get tourists to slow down and take in the view.</p> <p>Zaozhuang, Shandong, considered to be one of the most beautiful water towns in China, has these new black-and-yellow speed bumps installed just outside the entrance and spaced less than a step apart to force tourists to slow down.</p> <p>The pictures were shared on the state broadcaster’s Twitter account:</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">A bit overconcerned? Speed bumps seen in a short range of pedestrian walks at a scenic spot in east China stunned many Chinese netizens <a href="https://t.co/OeOUc0h5Hj">pic.twitter.com/OeOUc0h5Hj</a></p> — People's Daily,China (@PDChina) <a href="https://twitter.com/PDChina/status/858723244655955969">April 30, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>What’s your take? Do you think it’s a clever solution to the tourist problem? Or do the speed bumps detract from the region’s natural beauty?</p>

International Travel

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Duke and Duchess install new security measures to protect George and Charlotte

<p>The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have installed new security measures to their home ahead of their move to Kensington Palace.</p> <p>A row of native conifer trees has been planted along the western side of the palace to create a wall to shield their home from onlookers and paparazzi. The conifers can grow to 40 feet high and will offer William, Kate and their children, George, three, and Charlotte, 18-months, privacy from prying eyes.</p> <p>The family has been living in Anmer Hall in Norfolk since 2015, but will be moving to the capital soon so <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2017/01/prince-george-starts-new-school-this-year/">Prince George can start school in autumn</a></span></strong> and <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2017/01/prince-william-to-give-up-pilot-career/">William and Kate can take on more official royal duties.</a> </span></strong></p> <p>The palace has previously issued a legal warning against a photographer who was "harassing" Prince George in London.</p> <p>In a statement released to the press: "The warm-hearted and understandable interest in the royal family and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge needs to be balanced with their right to a private family life. This is especially important for a family with very young children."</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2017/02/a-new-princess-diana-documentary-is-in-the-works/">A new Princess Diana documentary is in the works</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2017/02/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-65-years-on-throne-with-sapphire-jubilee/">Queen Elizabeth celebrates 65 years on throne with Sapphire Jubilee</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2017/02/prince-charles-goddaughter-tara-palmer-tomkinson-dies-aged-45/">Prince Charles’ goddaughter Tara Palmer-Tomkinson dies aged 45</a></em></strong></span></p>

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The incredible light installation transforming Uluru

<p>Uluru might just be Australia’s most famous attraction, and for a limited time only there’s another reason to visit this beautiful part of the country.</p> <p>The Field of Light is a temporary installation from internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro that features 50,000 solar powered stems that sway in the breeze.</p> <p>Named Tili Wiru Tjuta Nyakutjaku by the local community which translate to local Pitjantjatjara, this installation comes to life an night under a starry sky.</p> <p>For a preview of the installation watch the video above. The installation is closing March 31, 2017. For more information about the field of light, <a href="https://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/events/detail/field-of-light-uluru" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span></strong></a>.</p> <p>Have you seen this installation? What did you think?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments.</p> <p><em>Video credit: Facebook / Explore Uluru</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/08/5-more-things-to-do-in-the-red-centre/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 more things to do in the Red Centre</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2016/06/8-incredible-destinations-in-outback-australia/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">8 outback destinations everyone should visit</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/06/5-amazing-attractions-to-experience-in-alice-springs/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 amazing attractions to experience in Alice Springs</span></em></strong></a></p>

International Travel

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Floating art installation lets visitors walk on water

<p>Most of the time the ability to walk on water is beyond us mere mortals, but for residents of a town in Northern Italy this dream has become a sudden reality.</p> <p>Thousands have flocked for the opening of The Floating Piers, an eye-catching orange walkway spanning Lake Iseo and is the latest work by environmental sculptor Christo Vladimirov Javacheff. As you can see in the gallery, the results are incredible.</p> <p>Constructed with stain-resistant fabric atop 200,000 floating cubes, The Floating Piers features a walkway that is nearly four kilometres long and allows visitors to walk from the mainland to two small previously inaccessible islands in the lake.</p> <p>"It's a very physical project, you need to go there (to understand it)," Christo said of the project, which is open to the public from June 18 to July 3.</p> <p>The Floating Piers cost approximate 15 million euros ($22.8 million) to create but will be free to the public and is expected to 500,000 visitors by the time it closes.</p> <p>To see the audacious project, scroll through the gallery above. It’s quite a spectacular sight. Do you think you’d like to visit something like this?</p> <p>Share your thoughts in the comments. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/travel/domestic-travel/2016/06/10-lesser-known-new-zealand-holiday-spots/"><em><strong>10 lesser-known New Zealand holiday spots</strong></em></a></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/travel/international/2016/06/japan-beach-illuminated-by-mysterious-natural-phenomenon/"><strong><em>Japan beach illuminated by mysterious natural phenomenon</em></strong></a></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/travel/international/2016/06/10-breathtaking-photos-celebrate-the-beauty-of-britain/"><em><strong>10 breathtaking photos celebrate the beauty of Britain</strong></em></a></span></p>

International Travel

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“Impossible” waterfall installed at Palace of Versailles

<p>The Palace of Versailles is a must for anyone exploring France, and thanks to this latest installation a visit to the famous grounds just became all the more spectacular.</p> <p>Danish artist Olafur Eliasson has transformed the Palace’s famed gardens with the installation of an “impossible” waterfall, captivating visitors from around the world.</p> <p>And as you can see in the gallery above, it’s really something else!</p> <p>The waterfall has been created as part of a grand project designed to revive the initial vision of Andre Le Notre, principal gardener to King Louis X.</p> <p>Eliasson said, “The waterfall is an attempt to finalise, to make the impossible possible, to make the dreams come true.”</p> <p>To observe the speculator water feature scroll through the gallery above. From certain perspectives it looks like an impossible achievement!</p> <p>What do you think of the new water exhibition at the Palace of Versailles? Have you ever visited this famous site, and how was your trip?</p> <p>Share your story in the comments.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter / Canoe Travel </em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2016/05/french-train-carriages-turned-into-art/"><strong>French trains turned into moving art galleries</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/international-travel/2016/05/woman-travels-to-paris-to-explore-amelie-film-locations/"><strong>Woman travels to Paris to explore Amelie film locations</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/international-travel/2016/02/is-it-safe-to-go-back-to-paris/"><strong>Is it safe to go back to Paris?</strong></a></em></span></p>

International Travel

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What to consider before you install solar panels

<p>Solar systems are a great way to save money and offset much of your household’s power needs but there are a three main points to take into consideration before you jump into solar.</p> <p><strong>1. Size</strong></p> <p>The cost and output of your solar system will depend on the size you choose. Look at your current electricity bill and compare the consumption with what each solar system can generate. Will it meet your power needs?</p> <p><strong>2. Location</strong></p> <p>As solar systems are dependent on the sun, where you live will have an effect on the performance. Places where there’s abundant sunshine (and less clouds) will have a more effective system.</p> <p><strong>3. Roof</strong></p> <p>Make sure the pitch, angle and material of your roof is suitable for solar system installation. Also consider how much shade covers your roof as shading will affect the output of a solar system.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/06/how-solar-power-works/">How does solar power work?</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/05/save-money-on-energy-bills/">4 ways to save money on your energy bills</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/06/solar-energy-saving-tips/">How solar power can save you money</a></strong></em></span></p>

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