On today’s walk I followed the Sculpture Trail of the Lorne Biennale, approximately 3 K along this classic foreshore, stretching from the pier to the swinging bridge. The piece under examination in this photo is called the end, the beginning. I rather imagine the title is a side-glance reference to the ancient legend of the blind monks and an elephant. As I see it, the artist has challenged the viewers: “Tell me, blind men, what sort of thing is an elephant?’ And I hear the Aussie answers: “4 stout gum trees,” says one. “A snake,” cries another. “A firies’ hose.” “A huge wombat.” “A couple of didgeridoos.”

“Blind monks examining an elephant”, an ukiyo-e print by Hanabusa Itchō (1652–1724).