Abstract
Research Background
The word 'Murang' in Kabi Kabi language signifies totem systems and refers to animals or flesh. 'Ngai' relates to identity and means 'I'. Murang Ngai translates to 'Us in Them' and 'Them is Us', exploring the interconnectivity of everything in the environment. Murang Ngai is the latest evolution of the interdisciplinary research project, Beeyali, led by Lyndon Davis in collaboration with Leah Barclay and Tricia King. This initiative brings together Indigenous knowledge, art, science, and new technology to visualise the calls of wildlife on Kabi Kabi Country. Environmental interconnection plays an important role in Beeyali to foster an embodied understanding of local ecosystems and inspire a collective sense of responsibility and ecological empathy.
Research Contribution
Murang Ngai draws on a new body sonic visualisations from culturally significant species such as the white-bellied sea eagle, brolga, rainbow lorikeet, white cockatoo, black swan, and wedge-tailed eagle. The work encourages a multi-sensory engagement with place through a unique combination of Indigenous knowledge, contemporary art, emerging science, and new technologies. This project calls for a deeper understanding of interconnection that respects and cares for non-human life. Murang Ngai was realised as a series of large-scale metal prints installed along the foreshore at Lake Cootharaba for a period of 5 weeks that were activated with site-responsive AR that updated throughout the exhibition. The exhibition closed with a performance over the lake featuring a new audio-visual work where the prints, paintings, photographs, and sound connected in response to Lake Cootharaba.
Research Significance
Murang Ngai was a major work commissioned for Floating Land 2023, Australia’s premier art in the environment event with an international reputation for ecological art. This project has been assisted by the Australia Zoo and the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body, through a major grant from the Emerging and Experimental Arts panel. The project was installed onsite for 5 weeks with an audience of over 1800 visiting the exhibition, and attracted press including ABC radio, local print media and is published in the Floating Land 2023 catalogue available nationally.