The Strange Potential Of Ordinary Things Novel and Critical Exegesis William Pascoe BA University of Sydney, BA (Hons) University of Newcastle Submitted in fulfillment of the requirement of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy March 2015 Faculty of Education and Arts School of Humanities and Social Science University of Newcastle William Pascoe The Strange Potential Of Ordinary Things 2 Statement of Originality This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference has been made in the text. I give consent to this copy of my thesis, when deposited in the University Library**, being made available for loan and photocopying subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. ** Unless an Embargo has been approved for a determined period. ……………………………………………… William Pascoe The Strange Potential Of Ordinary Things 3 Acknowledgements I would like to gratefully acknowledge the support and advice of my supervisors Dr Keri Glastonbury and Dr Patricia Pender. For their insights and advice I would also like to thank Evonne Irwin, Ryan O'Neill, Erol Engin and Nicholas Faiz. William Pascoe The Strange Potential Of Ordinary Things 4 Contents Statement of Originality ............................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... 3 Abstract ............................................................................................................................................... 7 Ordinary Things ................................................................................................................................ 8 Travelling Home ........................................................................................................................... 9 Corn .............................................................................................................................................. 21 Batz And Chouen ................................................................................................................... 21 The Lords of Xibalba ............................................................................................................. 23 One Hunahpu and Seven Hunahpu ..................................................................................... 23 One Death and Seven Death ................................................................................................ 24 Lady Blood ............................................................................................................................... 25 Lord Blood ............................................................................................................................... 25 Lady Blood ............................................................................................................................... 26 One Death and Seven Death ................................................................................................ 27 Grandma .................................................................................................................................. 28 Batz And Chouen ................................................................................................................... 29 A Flat Tire .................................................................................................................................... 30 Kongo Is Not Kongo ................................................................................................................. 36 Accelerator ................................................................................................................................... 44 Ash Child ...................................................................................................................................... 54 A History of Rubber Tires ......................................................................................................... 57 Japanese Graphic Design ........................................................................................................... 62 Hungry Ghost .............................................................................................................................. 67 Pacman ..................................................................................................................................... 67 Words and Stone ..................................................................................................................... 68 Silkworm .................................................................................................................................. 68 Pampas Reeds .......................................................................................................................... 71 Mushroom and Sweet Potato ................................................................................................ 73 Unrin-In ................................................................................................................................... 75 Tales of Ise ............................................................................................................................... 76 Vending Machine ........................................................................................................................ 82 Chilli .............................................................................................................................................. 89 William Pascoe The Strange Potential Of Ordinary Things 5 Xbalanque and Hunahpu ....................................................................................................... 89 Batz And Chouen ................................................................................................................... 89 The Rat In The Field .............................................................................................................. 90 Xbalanque and Hunahpu ....................................................................................................... 92 Grandma .................................................................................................................................. 93 Hands ............................................................................................................................................ 95 Observing The Chicotte ........................................................................................................ 95 Bath Of Sand ........................................................................................................................... 97 Talking ...................................................................................................................................... 99 The Bridge .............................................................................................................................. 101 Bath Of Gold......................................................................................................................... 101 Canned Beef........................................................................................................................... 103 Site Inspection ........................................................................................................................... 104 Ukiyo ........................................................................................................................................... 116 Fordlandia .............................................................................................................................. 116 Kitchen ................................................................................................................................... 117 Ukiyo ....................................................................................................................................... 122 Sweet Potato .......................................................................................................................... 127 In Wood ................................................................................................................................. 130 Master's Will ............................................................................................................................... 132 Depreciation .............................................................................................................................. 140 Two Pines ................................................................................................................................... 152 Burning Mansion ................................................................................................................... 152 Tokyo National Museum ..................................................................................................... 161 Quitting Smoking .................................................................................................................. 163 Surfaces ................................................................................................................................... 167 Authentic Peruvian Cuisine ................................................................................................