Eternity

STORYTELLING and the ARTS is essential when forming personal, social and national identity.

When Sydney was developing and emerging as an international city in the 1900s, ETERNITY mysteriously appeared written in chalk in copperplate font on the streets and captured the attention of the news outlets, the creative minds of storytellers and the imagination of the general public.

Written by Sydney eccentric Arthur Stace, ETERNITY was an artistic expression of a personal life experience. When embraced by the media and various sectors of the arts community, it became a public word and its meaning evolved.

ETERNITY was unwanted graffiti, a recurring news story, a street ‘tag’, something to write and sing about and a mysterious message to unravel.

This artistic elevation of ETERNITY resulted in this word being recognised as part of Sydney’s DNA, being shared with the world at the 2000 Millennium Celebrations and Sydney Olympic Games and being recognised as the word of the millennium.

By celebrating the ARTS and STORYTELLING, we want to create an environment where:
• people engage with the ETERNITY story in a brand new way.
• people 30 years and below engage with the ETERNITY story and our recent history.
• people feel empowered to use the arts to express themselves and influence those around them.

The project goals are to:
• educate the general community about the power of the arts in storytelling.
• celebrate this unique piece of Australia’s history with all age groups.
• celebrate Arthur Stace as a Sydney eccentric who created a phenomenon and whose work continues to influence his city 50 years after his death.
• create engaging historical educational content for teachers and students which builds a sense of national pride.
• empower individuals to celebrate their personal stories through the arts.

The ETERNITY story runs parallel to just about every major turning point in Australia’s history, dating back to the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Great Depression and WW2 in the early to mid 1900s, the millennium celebrations and the Sydney Olympic Games 20 years ago, and more recently with the redevelopment of Central Train Station and the Eternity Playhouse Theatre.

This documentary will tell the ETERNITY and Arthur Stace story against the backdrop of major turning points in Australia’s history, reliving and celebrating key milestones in the development of Sydney as a city and Australia as a nation.

This documentary will reflect on the power of one person’s artistic expression of one word, ETERNITY, which was present at all events, which managed to capture the imagination of numerous generations and which and continues to influence an international city is the most unique ways.

Roy Williams and Elizabeth Meyers authors of ‘Mr Eternity: the story of Arthur Stace’ are researchers and historical consultants.

City of Sydney Council have granted permission to use the ETERNITY trademark, Sydney historians for interview, and access to archival footage. The Lord Mayor has agreed to be interviewed.

Also speaking with Council about an ETERNITY DAY – celebrating our history and culture through an annual public arts event in the Sydney CBD, and an ETERNITY walking app.

Sydney Metropolitan Cemeteries are offering access to the space where Arthur Stace was laid to rest.

The Baptist Church, HammondCare, Remo Giuffre (REMO STORE) and Matthew ‘Mistery’ Peet (Australian Hip Hop and Street Art Champion) have agreed to be interviewed and provide access to archives, photos, artworks, music and other content.

Sydney Living Museums have asked us to keep records of original ETERNITY memorabilia for a possible historical installation.

Others are also contributing to the project

We would like viewers to:
• engage with us on social media to share their ETERNITY stories and memories.
• share ETERNITY stories and memories with family and friends.
• participate in the ETERNITY DAY and WALKING TOURS across Sydney (when established).
• have a greater sense of pride in their city and country.
• find out more about the influence ETERNITY has had on Sydney and Australia.
• consider how the arts and public works, which are often taken for granted, contribute to our identity and our story.
• learn more about the life of Arthur Stace and periods of Australia’s history.
• feel empowered to express themselves through the arts to communicate their passions and add to the rich tapestry of Sydney’s and Australia’s story.

• People across all age groups engaging with the ETERNITY story in a brand new way including:
- Sharing their ETERNITY stories with us and their friends on social media.
- Sharing their ETERNITY stories in person.
- Becoming aware of the Arthur Stace/ETERNITY story.
- Teachers and students engaging with the story in schools.

• People across all age groups being empowered to use the arts to find their voice and express themselves in unique and innovative ways.

• People attending the annual ETERNITY DAY events to showcase their creativity and artworks, and to celebrate the ETERNITY story in Sydney.

• The news media engaging with this film, its contents and the story.