Award-Winning Play

In the midst of my sorrow, some joy. At The Ovations awards, back in Canberra, Dead Man's Cell Phone won the two Outstanding Lead Performances in a Comedy (Bruce Hardie and Jess Waterhouse) and Outstanding Production of a Play - Community. I am so proud of all the cast and crew, who attended the Awards night, and sent me these photos.

Making and Sharing Memories

The bedside book pile continues to evolve. Him Outdoors is constantly remarking on the potential hazards of such a pile, but I think he's just not seeing things from the correct perspective. 

Sky patterns above the lake keep me company in my lunch breaks at work. 

After booking in for a routine mammogram, I treated myself to breakfast at a local cafe, and then brought armfuls of flowers indoors from the garden and plonked them in vases. I may have mentioned that I have no skill in the flower arranging department, although I love the colours and natural shapes and smells. The cats, obviously, had to judge them. 

We had a gala night for the Canberra Repertory Society to feast and raise funds. Our cast and crew table for Dead Man's Cell Food were too busy with the frivolity and lacking in funds to be too much financial assistance, but we had a good time, and at least we raised some money by attending in the first place.

Chipz came round for afternoon tea and, although I have no photos of them or the cucumber sandwiches we ate in the garden, I do have images of the Pimms glasses full of fruity goodness.

Calamity Sue gathered some friends and family and we had a memorial service for General Philosopher, where we hired a boat and went out on the water to toast his memory and walk on Springbank Island. It was a beautiful thing to do and very emotional. Tears, laughter, and stories were shared. 

Autumn at Work and Play

It's nearly winter, but the spot where I sit at work to have my lunch is still peaceful and scenic.

The duathlon kit for Him Outdoors has arrived, so I made him model it for me in the kitchen (and the hallway).

I went to the National Art Gallery to see the Gaughin exhibition, but also viewed some other art while there.

 

There is an installation called Te Paepae Aora'i - Where the Gods Cannot Be Fooled, which weaves together historical collections from the National Gallery of Australia with contemporary works from the SaVĀge K'lub collective.

The SaVĀge K'lub, conceived by artist and scholar Rosana Raymond in 2010 refers to the gentleman's club of the same name established in London during the nineteenth century. The capitalisation of VĀ privileges the Samoan notion of vā, a relational space between people and things central to Moana-based creative practices and protocols: primarily honouring the relationships formed during art-making. 

 

I like these fashion pieces, whose designer features definitely constitute art.

The seated IV draws on the artist's Kenyan heritage and experience as a migrant to the United States of America to explore the female form across many traditions. The gold disc that emerges from the figure's forehead - polished to take in light and reflect the viewer - resembles the lip adornments traditionally worn by women of status in East Africa. The seated IV is one of four caryatid-like female digures, originally created for the niches on the facade of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which celebrate the power and potential of women.

The Seated IV (2019) by Wangechi Mutu

Outside the front of the building is a colourful work of acrylic and steel in a response to the Gaughin exhibition and celebration of the partnership between Mazda Australia and Art Exhibition Australia.

The notes for Colour in Motion, Mazda Australia read, "Paul Gaughin's work displays vivid colours brought to life through the radiant natural light of the Pacific. Mazda's Kodo design philosophy uses the power of light to create motion in every vehicle, even when still. Every curve crafted to draw out a depth of colour that changes with the light around it. 

"As you wander through the activation explore the way colour moves, shifts and creates new shades. Throughout the day, you'll notice how the natural movement of the sun casts unique reflections, making every moment its own creation." 

I had a fun evening out with the cast members of Dead Man's Cell Phone, where we played games, drank cocktails and talked of many things including relationships and dating apps. Here are a couple of the cast looking at what is 'out there' in terms of on-line connections.

In the morning we walked out to breakfast at Two Before Ten

And later in the day, we played with the cats in the sunshine.