Images(3)

Kab Kar - from then to now

Artist Jimmy Kenny Thaiday (1987)

Date2013

Object number00054278

NameDari

MediumFishnet, wire

DimensionsOverall: 580 × 440 × 30 mm, 303 g

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Purchased with funds from the Sid Faithfull and Christine Sadler program supporting Contemporary Indigenous Maritime Heritage in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait Islands through the ANMM Foundation

Terms

DescriptionThis Dari (Torres Strait Islander headress) constructed from ghost net or discarded fishing net and wire. The Dari's are bought to life in an installing using a montage of projected audio and visual over its surface.The mirrored image reflects traditional culture through present day technology and interpretation of materials. When constructed in ghostnet (discarded fishing net) this demonstrates the underlying message of developing new ideas from traditional values. HistoryThe piece 'Kab Kar- from then till now' was a finalist in the 30th Telstra Indigenous Art Awards 2013 and won a highly commended award. A Dari (Torres Strait Islander headdress) is traditionally made from cane and feathers are worn by Torres Strait Islander men when dancing or in traditional warfare. Variations on its design identified people by island and clan groups. As light footed dancers skip from one foot to the other, their heads turn and tilt flicking the feathers of their traditional headdresses in a powerful demonstration of strength, agility and practiced control. During times of celebration, these dances often go late into the night and the rhythmic beating of the drums, singing and rising dust from the sandy dance ground which is mesmerising and deeply spiritual. The artist has mounted two Dari's as the dancers usually move in pairs; the use of the mirror reflects traditional culture through present generation.SignificanceThe Dari's (Torres Strait Islander headdress) are bought to life using a montage of projected video image and sound over surface. The mirrored image reflects traditional culture through present day technology and interpretation of materials. When constructed in ghost net (discarded fishing net) this demonstrates the underlying message of developing new ideas from traditional values.
The use of audio visual allows the viewer to experience the Dari less as an object and more as part of the cultural life of the Torres Straits.
The artist has mounted two Dari's as the dancers usually move in pairs; the use of the mirror reflects traditional culture through the present generation.