The principle aim of the project was to design and make a sustainable junk brick from recycled rubbish, which could be used to construct a small structure/sculpture.
The main concept of the project was to create a journey using memory trace of human, flora and fauna of the arid environment of Broken Hill and Fowlers Gap. It was the intention of the group that this structure/sculpture be added to in the future by visitors to the site.
The team initially focussed on the broad idea of making a sustainable shelter incorporating a junk brick. Planning and research centred around the broader goals of the project which was to investigate ways of making mud bricks and to look at current sustainable structures such as the ‘Earth Ships’ of Michael Reynolds, the Garbage Warrior. This focus narrowed during the first week in Broken Hill. Our ideas were influenced by activities and discussions with lecturers and in particular, Janet Laurence. During the trip to the tip our ideas quickly transformed and adapted to the junk we collected. We found brick moulds, perspex and bamboo. The mud brick and junk concept developed further and the idea of a memorial wall, sculptures and walk started taking shape.
The location of the Junk Brick Sculpture Path was determined by such factors as the close proximity to water and clay. We also kept in mind the junk bricks needed to be contained and located away from the waterway. The rise and flow of the land became an important element of the project. The path reflected the shape of a serpent an important symbol in Aboriginal and Asian cultures.
The Brick Making
The first bricks were made of clay using the brick moulds. The drying time of a traditional mud brick is between 2 – 4 weeks. To speed up this process a campfire became an integral part of the project. It was not only used to dry the bricks, but also to experiment with boiling wattle seeds (Acacia victoriaei) and river red gum leaves to make a natural gum or binding agent. Ultimately it proved to be a rather good dye and a menthol aroma to clear the sinuses. Basic batik dyeing of scrap calico in the wattle and gum leaf brew achieved satisfying results.
The bricks went from being made of organic materials to being completely made of junk. Organic materials included sheep wool, animal bones, faeces, and dried fescue grass. Other materials included aluminium, bottles, melted plastic bags, iron pieces, horseshoes, rope, plastic bottles, wire mesh and moulds. Many of these objects were found on site. We used mud and grass primarily to bind the bricks and in some cases mortar and wire was used to secure the brick. Experimentation with building a bottle wall was challenging and limited by inexperience, weather and time.
The bricks were made jointly and individually. Each brick contained a memory, an idea or a symbol. The culture and artistic impressions of the team were reflected in a number of the sculptures such as The Bamboo Sculpture, the Korean Sign Post and The Emu Letter Box. The Korean Sign Post included our names, date and title. It also had the recipe for the mud brick and an invitation to future visitors to care, clean and continue the path.
The Perspex squares we found at the tip became an ideal surface for each member of the team to express an artistic idea. It is the team’s intention to reform these squares at the exhibition in September.
A-Yun Han
Keyan Guo
Rhonda Ghee
Margaret Westcott
