School of Historical and Philosophical Studies - Research Publications
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ItemArchitectures of the senses: neo-baroque entertainment spectacles(MIT Press, 2003)It was sometime in November 2000. I was walking along an Arabian street, taking in the rhythms of the arabesque decorations and the spectacular, multi-colored buildings; being entertained by the exotic street musicians; and occasionally being lured into various bazaars that offered the temptations of products ranging from Persian rugs and glassware, to Versace gowns and DKNY accessories. At one point, I found myself at a pier. I looked up at the sky and, while soft, fluffy clouds punctured its blue (yet somewhat solid) surface, it seemed like it was going to be a beautiful day. But what do I know? No sooner had I thought this than the rumbling sounds of thunder vibrated through the air and flashes of lightning lit up the now-transformed dark and ominous clouds. And the rain came pouring down, creating restless ripples in the previously still waters near the pier. So I left Arabia and walked across the road to Lake Como, where I took in the sights of the palazzo Bellagio as it stood majestically in the background. Initially, the enormous lake reflected the palazzo in its tranquil waters, then thousands of small tubes began to puncture its surface, and the first bars of music suddenly filled this vast space. I recognized the tune Frank Sinatra's "Lady Luck" - and it was, indeed, a toe-tapper. As hundreds flocked around balconies overlooking the lake, the lake's water began to magically take on a life of its own: spurts of water swayed left and right, back and forth in perfect unison with the rhythms of Sinatra's crooning. And the audience continued to look on, mesmerized by the spectacle they witnessed, astounded by the rhythmic motions of water, which included stretches of up to fifty meters erupting to heights that exceeded one hundred meters.
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ItemSusan Norrie( 2004)The work of Susan Norrie, which now spans more than two decades, is challenging, provocative and inspirational. As with all visionary artists, Norrie’s practice has developed and changed over time, now incorporating painting, objects, still and moving images and sound. from her paintings to her installations and video projections, Norrie’s work combines technical brilliance and extraordinary talent with an acute and restless intelligence.
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ItemRed rag to a British bull?: Australian trained nurses working with British nurses during World War I(RMIT Publishing, 2004)The outbreak of WWI caused a rush of patriotism and thousands of male volunteers demonstrated their keenness to serve the Empire. Both Britain and Australia’s female nursing fraternities were just as enthusiastic to enlist. Some 3000 Australian nurses who joined the Australian Army Nursing Service or served in the British nursing reserve spent part of their service working in British military hospitals alongside nurses from the QAIMNS – Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service. Many Australian nurses had trained under systems of British origin and believed that they shared the same qualifications, skills and outlook as the English sisters. However, British regular army nurses did not regard their colonial sisters as equals. From general snobbishness to giving them all the ‘hard’ duties, Australian nurses had to prove their worth. It was a success; in many cases, by the end of the war British matrons sought Australian nurses in preference to their own country women. This paper explores notions of imperial femininity through aspects of nursing culture, nursing politics, class and primarily labour practices thus making an important contribution to the small but growing number of investigations into women’s military work during World War I.
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ItemMaintaining Britishness in a setting of their own design: the Troodos Hill Station in Cyprus during the early British occupation(RMIT Publishing, 2004)Britain occupied Cyprus by virtue of the Anglo-Turkish Convention of 4 June 1878,which ceded the occupation and administration (but not sovereignty) to Britain. The LordBeaconsfield Government planned to convert Cyprus into a place of arms. The architectsof this policy saw Cyprus as ideal for stationing troops, and sent there a 10,000 strongarmy of occupation. They saw Famagusta Harbour as the perfect naval and commercialstation in the eastern Mediterranean. But within months of the occupation, uncertaintiesdeveloped over the military and naval value of Cyprus. The decision to build the TroodosHill Station stood in stark contrast to the uncertainties over the military and naval valueof the island, and the uncertainties over whether to act as if Cyprus was a British orOttoman territory.
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ItemThe theatre at Butrint: parallels and function(British School at Athens, 2003)