No one worked more heroically than Peter Claver to free the African Negro slaves of Cartagena. Once he landed there in 1610, Claver toiled for forty-four years against the spectacle of the social crime called slavery. The Jesuit was trained in the school of Père Alfonso de Sandoval, and became a wonderful missionary, whose life was one that confounds egotism by its superhuman charity. Although timid and lacking in self-confidence, he became a daring and ingenious organizer. (Catholic Encyclopaedia 2011)
St Peter Claver College Riverview Ipswich
Inspired by the compassion of the humble visionary described above, the students and teachers of St Peter Claver at Ipswich AU emulated his organisational courage by reaching out to a group of people from across the world. To do this the college’s 930 students and 70 staff formed the Japanese characters for "Sendai" and “heart” on the school oval. This became an artistic statement once it was photographed from above from a helicopter.
Like their patron saint and benefactor Claver the students and teachers created an attractive sign of empathy for the Japanese struggle to overcome devastation and loss following the earthquake and tsunami in March.
What the St Peter Claver College community were sending was a message of love and support to the people of Sendai in Japan in the form of a “peoplescape”.
Peoplescape Installations a Growing Australian Tradition
There is a growing tradition of peoplescape installations growing within the Australian population; the most official of which was the The Peoplescape: A Federation Celebration 2001. In February 2001 the National Council for the Centenary of Federation called upon Australians to nominate someone whom they felt had significantly affected their lives, their community or the country of Australia.
Nominators then made life size, cutout figures to represent their "hero" and Canberra residents and visitors were able to view these figures forming a massive outdoor art installation covering the slopes of Parliament House and spilling down the lawns of Federation Mall. It did not matter whether the figures were works of art within themselves or simply authentic personal tributes to a person who has/had made a difference to Australia in some way.
It was pertinent that unknown Australians stand next to national icons and the spirit of the multimedia installation welcomed everyone within the context of a multicultural political landscape. Every figure told a story; of compassion, excellence, caring, courage and humour. All States and Territories were well represented and nominations came from as far as Christmas Island and Australians overseas.
Peoplescape as a Peaceful Way to Communicate with the Masses
In a similar manner, the spirit of compassion and empathy were evidenced within the St Peter Claver College community. The “peoplescape” was photographed from the air by helicopter, and the photograph was presented to the Japanese Consul, along with a donation to the people of Sendai. And the gesture and the donation was the message. As first coined by McLuhan the medium was the [heartfelt] message.(McLuhan 1964)
The idea for the "peoplescape" message and donation came from Japanese teacher James Danaher who said the study of Japanese had become an increasingly popular choice among students. (St Peter Claver 2011)
Great sympathy was felt for the Japanese people in their times of trouble as the school community have built up an eight-year relationship with the people of Japan as a result of student exchange visits since 2004. There was a process of getting to know these Japanese families as a result of reciprocal hospitality between St Peter Claver and Sendai in Japan. Australian students asked Sendai to be strong in the face of adversity. “In order to do this St Peter Claver students formed their peoplescape message to show their love for the people of Sendai,” James Danaher said; adding “This message is in keeping with the motto of St Peter Claver College – Concern, Love and Justice.”
College Principal, Diarmuid O’Riordan said the “peoplescape” message was a key activity on the feast day of the college’s patron, St Peter Claver and reinforced the sentiment that it was appropriate students marked the feast day by reaching out to others in need as was the model of St Peter Claver in his work in Colombia in the 17th century. The activity was timely and appropriate because “many college families had experienced their own losses during the January floods. An important part of healing is recognising the needs of others and reaching out to them.
Resources:
- Catholic Encyclopaedia St Peter Claver 2011
- McLuhan, M. Understanding Media, Routledge, London (1964)
- Peoplescape Concert On ABC Television Broadcast Live On ABC Television Sunday 25th November At 8.30 PM 2001
- St Peter Claver 2011 Article Catholic Education Website 2011
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