Out to Space

The official Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras has to wrap up with the party. This is a big dose for an excessive life of modern world.

This is it, another year of Mardi Gras. This year it celebrates 30th anniversary. On the second time I am involved as a photographer, it intrigues my thoughts in many ways. I will sum up what I have experienced the festival later.

A rainbow flag of a boat flying with Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House in the background.

Another major event of Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival and the last key party before the final Mardi Gras Dance Party rolls in, Mardi Gras Harbour Party, Sol Y Luna.

The simple concept is just having fun while watching sunset in Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens with Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House in the background. Moreover, it is special this year when two cruise liners, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth 2, rendezvous. And this is the last time that QE2 cruises in the Harbour before her retirement.

I am not surprising myself that for six year living in Sydney Australia Day has never been anything but another public holiday. However, since my Australian citizenship application has been approved late last year and I will take an oath to be become an Aussie sooner or later, I decide to explore the celebration of the country’s national day which I trouble with.

Two young girls watching a concert at the Rocks on Australia Day celebration.

National day is normally set on the birth of the modern nation: a revolution or an independence from the colony. In Thailand, it was designated on 10 December when the first official Thai constitution was, in theory, handed to the people but later on it was moved to the King’s Birthday. In general, it is a significant event in the history that reminds the people and draws them together to value the pride of the nation.

On the other hand, Australia Day is on 26 January, the day British first fleet of convicts arrived. What is to be proud of? It neglects the fact that there were indigenous tribes living here thousands years ago and the settlement has never been reconciled with them. I have not seen any message of this history in any publicity piece of the day at all. It seems to be suppressed everywhere. Therefore the core content of the day is very shallow. What to feed the punter are just public live show, fireworks and getting drunk, not any difference from New Year Eve, Melbourne Cup or even Mardi Gras.

Maybe I am just being too serious. Stilgherrian has a much better way to celebrate the day.

I decide to make photo essays in this blog look more presentable. WP-SimpleViewer plugin is the best answer for it tonight. It is just simple.

Paul is Stilgherrian’s friend back in Adelaide, now living, working and having a relationship with his beautiful girlfriend in Bangkok. He celebrated his first birthday in Thailand at Tapas Bar, Silom Soi 4 on the first Saturday I was in Thailand. Furthermore, the current partner of Stil’s ex was also there at the party. Small world, eh? It was a great night with lots of alcohol and I ended up voluntarily being dragged to Khao Sarn Road with his mates.

Unfortunately, we do not get a chance to catch up with him again while Stil is in town. Next time!

My little project on Sleaze Ball is being exhibited as a part of Sleaze Slide Show nightly from 7pm onward from 4-14 October at Darlinghurst PhotoArt Space, 76 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst.

This is another exposure on the commercial gay street of Sydney. I am very pleased with my nine-minute slice of over-half-an-show slide show amongst other talented photographer:

• Viteck Skonieczny
• Kristen Elsby
• George Voulgaropoulos
• Markham Lane

One interesting thing, even though night event photography is not my strength because my gears are not the best for low light situation, the producer, Robert McGrath, edits my shots differently from my selection. For example, it comes to my surprise that he prefers to put this blurry take on the slide show in stead of the sharp one.

He actually asked me at the media meeting that my style still involved shaky movement and I confidently nodded. I still do not regret deleting that image when I was being criticised in the party, though.