Thursday, February 18, 2010

Hells Bells and Bugga The Big C Bazza

Theme Thursday has a double edge. The choice of "Bell" was stimulated by a fellow blogger who is about to complete his chemotherapy and fully intends to ring the bell that stands outside the treatment ward as a celebration of his survival. He's asked the blogging community who follow his blog to do the same for those undergoing treatment around the world and to make enough virtual noise to reach one of his commenters in Japan! Well read it and weep Bazz . . cost we're this bell is ringing in Oz! Nothin' further away than us other than NZ and Antarctica!

Now for the serious stuff.

In 2001, the Victorian State Government commissioned the Federation Bell project to celebrate the Centenary of Federation in 2001. I keep banging on about Federation because it was achieved in Australia without a civil war or civil unrest. We just came together and got on with it.


The project included The Field of Bells: a permanent public art work located at Birrarung Marr, near Federation Square in Melbourne which is totally weird because I've been to Federation square three times in as many years and never seen them, let alone heard them.

Federation bells at Birrarung Marr ring three times a day, their contemporary tones a startling contrast to the sombre toll of other bells. The reason for the difference is that the carillon at Birrarung Marr comprises the world's first harmonically tuned bells, invented in Victoria by sculptor Dr Anton Hasell and his colleague, Dr Neil McLachlan.

The stunning sound installation on the banks of the Yarra was created by the two to celebrate the anniversary of Federation in 2001.

Over the 10 years of their collaboration, their creators have discovered the great secret of how to make a perfectly pitched bell. Unlike other bells, theirs has the same harmonic pitch structure as a violin or piano note. This has opened a new set of possibilities for composers who now have the possibility to score a complete work for superbly tuned bells. Although why they'd want to defeats me and brings back memories of lousy talent shows and the guy who plays all those little silver bells in a badly made suit and a pork pie hat.

The sculptor stated, "I hope I am creating work that people will take courage from and inspire them to live an independent life, and take it upon themselves, at whatever cost, to enjoy with passion their own journey in life." This is rather appropriate given Barry's celebration. While I don't follow his blog, I'm happy to ring a bell all the way down under.

But of course, in true Aussie spirit, these bells are electronically fired and naturally, installed upside down!



The weird thing is, I've been to Melbourne twice last year and didn't hear or see them but having found this photo, I now know exactly where they are . . . another excuse to visit one of my favourite Australian cities perhaps?

And Akkerdakker are playing the Homebush Stadium tonight. Yep the Burwood boys are back in town after a long, long, time . . For you Baz . .my name is Hells and I'm ringin' Bells. Stick that up yer Sushi Train Japan!

25 comments:

Grannymar said...

I'll be ringing my cowbell too before I head outdoors.

tony said...

Upsidedown Aussie Bells!!!!!

Alan Burnett said...

I suppose with an upside down bell you never drop a clanger

Brian Miller said...

it seems only fittin they are upside down. smiles.

http://howtobecomeacatladywithoutthecats.blogspot.com said...

What a wonderful bell sculpture! Way cool!

Roy said...

The Field of Bells is great! I might have to add it to my bucket list.

What time will it be for you when it's 2 PM Barry's time?

Janice said...

I love those crazy Melbourne bells!

nick said...

Jenny and I didn't notice them either when we were in Melbourne. They're rather wonderful. We must ask our friend Kath (who comes from Melbourne) whether she's ever seen them....

e said...

So, why are those bells upside down?

Darlene said...

The term 'hell's bells' was very popular when I was young. I hadn't heard it for many years.

That guitarist in the AC/DC group must have a sore neck after the gig. He's the one with the lovely head of hair and wearing shorts.

JeffScape said...

You're good at trivia games, aren't you?

Kat Mortensen said...

PERFECT! (I've never heard them referred to as Ackerdakker.)

Couldn't get better bell-ringing if you'd resurrected Quasimodo himself.

Good on you!

Kat

Susan at Stony River said...

LOL! I never would have gotten to AC/DC on this post but what a fit!

And, Congratulations to the cancer conquerer: fantastic news!

Ronda Laveen said...

I'm still stuck back at pork pie hat...can't get a visual but it strikes me as so funny. Great job, Hells. Yes those bells look quite worthy of a look-see. What is that big blue thing in the back ground that looks like a ferris wheel?

i beati said...

aussies are just plain cool

Mike said...

You do realize that Hells Bells is my favorite AC/DC song? :)

tut-tut said...

wow; upside-down perfectly tuned bells. who knew? It's tomorrow where you are. another upside-down notion, here, anyway.

Tom said...

they are nice to look at.
Being upside down wouldn't they fill up with rain water and bird poo?

Anonymous said...

Don't know how many times I've been to Federation Square and have never seen those bells. Who knew? AC/DC - always and forever the best!! Angus is a legend.Tom from the comment above would be interested to know that here in South Australia, we are familiar with bird poo, but rain water...what's that??

Kath Lockett said...

Well bugger me sideways, I've never seen them there bells in Fed Square either!

As for Hells' Bells, I get to hear that at 2pm every day when Bogan Boy in the flat next door gets home....

Megan said...

I know I tend to belabor the point, but I was born in the wrong damn country.

Hm, I wonder if I play this video during the figure skating competition that's on right now, will I get some synchronicity?

I'll get back to you on that...

Megan said...

Shoot. Commercial. Okay, next guy, I'm totally trying it!

a. said...

I want to go to there.

kj said...

hear the ringing of the bells, silver bells,
what a tale of merriment their melody foretells...

i think this is edgar allan poe.

C.M. Jackson said...

hells bell!--perhaps one day I will get to see those upside down bells--great post-c