The Footprint’s Next Step
The Footprint has been a labor of love.
Younghee, Brian and I created this children’s picture book very slowly. We then proudly but quietly self-published it on our own terms.
If you haven’t read it, it’s about transforming our world through care.
Eugene blames his shoes for all his mistakes while Suzie balances listening and slowness, with action and urgency, to make an extraordinary impact.
The Themes
Impact & Transformation
Eugene and Suzie live in a world of polluted beaches, angry neighbours, and abandoned streets. Beauty hides in rockpools, and behind back fences, but only Suzie can see it – until she makes an extraordinary footprint that changes everything. Transformation is possible.
Action & Good Timing
Eugene rushes and causes all sorts of trouble. Suzie is usually too late to intervene. But good timing sees Suzie save Eugene’s old shoes. She listens carefully then takes one slow step. The Footprint warns about going too fast and being too late. Timing is everything.
Persistence & Tenderness
It’s Suzie’s gentle approach that leads to a positive impact. She considers different perspectives, proceeds with caution, and is persistent and courageous. We need to care urgently and proactively.
Exploitation & Blame
Eugene takes no responsibility for his actions, and always blames his shoes for his mistakes. He puts them through suffering for his own selfish adventures, ignores their warnings, and – despite their potential - discards and replaces them. We need to be accountable and listen to what is ignored.
Waste & Potential
The same thing that’s used to cause harm – Eugene’s shoes – is used to create beauty. Trash becomes treasure in The Footprint, commenting on the potential of the discarded. We have the resources we need - we need to repurpose what we have for good.
Influence and Inspiration
Eugene never noticed anything, until he was struck by the beauty of Suzie’s Footprint. Suzie’s approach gave way to something so extraordinary that even Eugene couldn’t ignore it. We can inspire others through example, awe, and wonder.
Next Step
Now, I’m dreaming up ways to share The Footprint through live experiences - an intimate storytelling workshop, and an in-thearte show for children and families.
Why?
Because:
“We live in a time of social, economic and ecological unravelling. All around us are signs that our whole way of living is already passing into history… We intend to challenge the stories which underpin our civilisation: the myth of progress, the myth of human centrality, and the myth of our separation from ‘nature’.” The Dark Mountain Project
“The effects of climate change are being felt across the globe. Sea levels are rising, islands are disappearing, we’re continuing to break record after record with extreme temperatures. And the people who are most vulnerable to its effects are children who are at risk from diseases, disasters and displacement which will only increase with the changing climate.” Plan International
“Over the past ten years, racist incidents have been reported in practically all aspects of Australian society from everyday settings such as public transport, to essential institutions such as education and healthcare. One-third of all Australians have experienced racism in the workplace and/or in educational facilities. More than two thirds of students from a non-Anglo background reported facing racism at school. …a major survey conducted by the ABC found that a startling 76% of Australians from a non-European background have experienced racial discrimination based on their ethnicity.” Amnesty International
Our approach:
Storytelling
“In this time of climate change and biodiversity loss, children’s ability to imagine alternatives to the way things are may be the most powerful force for the socioeconomic transformation we need… And it really takes a childlike power to believe that a sustainable, equitable, and multi-species future is achievable even as corporations are fracking like there’s no tomorrow.” Marek Oziewicz
Play
“Play is an essential part of a child’s healthy and holistic development. Nature-based play teaches children to be curious and adaptable, to fall and fail but carry on, to interact with others and with the natural world. It makes our children more resilient, and more inclined to safeguard nature. It leads to cities that are more inclusive, where nature is valued and can play its role in mitigating the impacts of climate change by providing shade, regulating temperatures, storing water, attenuating run off, and sequestering carbon. Real Play Coalition
Transcultural Collaboration
This work models transcultural collaboration and friendship, and promotes the benefits of working together across cultures, languages, genders, ages, sexualities, and lived experiences. It increases the visibility of Korean language, adds to culturally and linguistically diverse representation within children’s artistic experiences, and celebrates bilingual spaces.
“It Sounded Amazing”
I have recently been composing music for the live experiences, and drafting a performance structure - thanks to RADF.
This year, I’ll look for development and presentation opportunities and funding to move us one step closer to sharing The Footprint through live experiences.
One foot in front of the other.
One,
slow,
step.
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and City of Moreton Bay to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
