Melding Indigenous and contemporary Australian design, this mulga wood message stick and its molded plastic case reflect an Australian culture that has been shaped by diverse histories and traditions. Made in 1999 and 2000, the two were combined to symbolise Australia - its Indigenous and non-Indigenous heritage - on the threshold of a new millennium. Approximately 140 identical sets were made as gifts for officials at the Sydney Olympic Games, however, this particular example was kept for posterity by the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG).
In 1999, Indigenous artist, Gavin Flick, collaborated with SOCOG to select a traditional object that could be crafted quickly and in large quantities. This process led to the selection of the message stick and its refinement to a suitable size. Flick, along with his son, Jai Rose, crafted at least three examples each week while his wife, Alanna Rose, applied the traditional, concentric designs. Their work reflected their flirtations with the Kamilaroi Language Group in north-western New South Wales. Also contributing to the project, Flick's brother collected pieces of mulga wood during his trips to the bush.
Working in an entirely different style, Sydney design group, Bang Design, manufactured the plastic cases in mid 2000 using an injection moulding process. The long, sleek cases exemplified modern Australian design, contrasting the traditional message sticks contained within. Referencing Australia's beach culture, the blue translucent surfaces created the illusion that the message sticks were submerged under water while the black elastic fastenings alluded to surfboard leg-ropes. On the lid, a plastic attachment depicted the swirling, water-like pattern that came from the Fluid Energy motif - a once ubiquitous graphic design that symbolised the Olympic Rings reflected in Sydney Harbour. Bang Design completed this and several other Sydney 2000 projects in the months preceding the Games.
The message stick was designed by Gavin Flick, Alanna Rose and Jade Rose in Sydney in 1999. The work reflects their affiliations with the Kamilaroi Language Group in north-western New South Wales.
The plastic case was designed by Sydney company, Bang Design, in 2000 to exemplify modern Australian design and to contrast the traditional message stick contained within. Referencing Australia's beach culture, the blue translucent surfaces created the illusion that the message sticks were submerged under water while the black elastic fastenings alluded to surfboard leg-ropes.
In 1999, Gavin Flick and his son, Jai Rose, crafted approximately 145 mulga wood message sticks while his wife, Alanna Rose, applied the traditional, concentric designs. Flick's brother collected the pieces of mulga wood during his trips to the bush. The plastic cases were made in 2000 in Sydney from an injection moulding process.
The message sticks and cases were made as gifts for officials at the Sydney Olympic Games, however, this particular example was kept for posterity by the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG).
Made for and owned by the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after the Games.
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