Sky by Design

the schematics of looking up, around, and across

Living in the Midwest, right in the middle of the U.S., for over twenty years has taught me that the sky is a source of deep and practical knowledge about my surroundings. Where I am now in Canberra, Australia, mountains surround the city, providing numerous sky-watching opportunities.

There is much to learn from the language of the sky and the air, currents, particles, and water that it contains. Though meteorology is not my expertise, there is something fundamentally human about the inenarrable enchantments of the sky.

Geographic and human-made landmarks abound in Canberra, which is the capital city of Australia. It has taken us about two weeks to see the major museums and explore some main sights and local experiences in Canberra. Some of our favorites include Australian Parliament House, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of Australia, Questacon National Science and Technology Centre, National Portrait Gallery, National Zoo and Aquarium, Mount Stromlo Observatory, Canberra Museum and Gallery, Fyshwick Markets, Haig Park Village Market, National Aboretum Canberra, and Australia National Botanic Gardens.

View of “Flight”; the Canberra Drone Show on Australia Day/Invasion Day, from Mount Ainsle, Canberra, ACT (photo by Chris Akers)

The history of the city of Canberra is quite unique. It was planned to be built as the national capital city in the early 1900’s.1 Harmonious with its natural surrounding geography, the design of Canberra was envisioned by architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin of Chicago, after they won an international design competition.2 The Griffins’ plan for the city centers on its surrounding mountains, a centralized lake, and a main thoroughfare axis from which multiple neighborhoods radiate in a non-heirarchical structure.

In contemporary life, the intentional design of the city provides easy and centralized navigation, abundant and accessible green spaces throughout, and ample room for national, educational, and government-based business, archives, and collections. There is an emphasis on education, learning, and knowledge in the Canberra culture, and it is proving to be an ideal place for my own work and research.

There is a distinct balance of sky and land here in Canberra, which offers an eminent reminder to balance substance and loft, in both thought and form.

Sunset, Mount Ainsle, Canberra, ACT

1 “Canberra, Australia”: New World Encyclopedia

2 “Plan for Canberra” and Marion Mahoney Griffin’s original drawing, National Archives of Australia

Laura Berman