BEAUTY OR THE BEAST: Edward Coleridge, with his painting, says though he thinks the individual wind turbine is a beautiful thing, he is concerned
about the scale of the Waubra wind farm. Picture: Andrew Kelly
With oils on paper, Bruno Leti gives a sympathetic representation of the wind farm and the landscape it inhabits.
The paintings have been inspired by the photos Mr Leti took of the installation, exhibited on the wall next to painted versions.
"I grew-up on a farm in central Victoria and even then farmers were looking at erosion and ways of looking after the land so Landcare has been with
me for a long time," Mr Leti said.
"I've known about wind farming for some time and I know it is a way of creating energy without polluting.
"We need to exist in this life and keep evolving and so need a source of energy that is clean."
Mr Leti believes that while there are pros-and-cons associated with wind power and it isn't a perfect science yet, that once you visit the wind farm you
realise how they can be part of the landscape.
"When I was taking these images of the wind turbines a woman who lives close by stopped and said she is getting so used to them that she would miss
them if they weren't there anymore," he said.
People, he believes, as creatures of habit will become more comfortable with the wind farms as they live among them and they become more familiar.
"Waubra is particularly suited to the farm with the hilly undulating land and the elegant wind turbines.
"I don't think they are totally misplaced in the landscape."
Mr Leti says the reality of the situation is that we must do the best we can with the innovations we have, but often wonders how long it will take before
the wind farms are superseded by other technology.
"As an artist I see them as beautiful, kinetic sculptures in the landscape. They are animated yet quiet and animals don't even notice them.
"I think it is possible to be green and realistic and that's the balance we have to create," he said.ql
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In his painting synopsis, Edward Coleridge poses the question - beauties or beasts?
"I am quite torn as I think the individual wind turbine is a stunning looking thing but I weep when I see the scale of the Waubra farm and I'm not
convinced it's being done by the right people," Mr Coleridge said.
He also believes once you look into the energy generating capacity of the wind farm it isn't efficient and very little greenhouse gas is saved by their
use.
Another issue of contention is wind farms are divisive in the community and cause a lot of heated debate over their positioning and there are other
problems for people living close by.
"The turbines can't work if it is too windy when they must be turned-off and at night a stroboscopic light flashes from the top of each one making it
look like a mad giant fun ground that has just landed from outer space," he said.
But probably the most compelling reason against the wind farms as far as Mr Coleridge is concerned is the painting identity of western Victoria is being
destroyed by their emergence.
"What makes this region unique is that it has a rich tradition of visual representation which, arguably, has entered the national psyche.
"This was due to the work of one artist in particular, the oeuvre of Eugene von Guaacérard a painter who although he fell out of favour in his own lifetime,
will be honoured at the Victorian Art Gallery's 150-year celebration in 2011," he said.
Mr Coleridge said the landscapes von Guaacérard painted were now being overrun with wind farms.
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