Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts

Monday, July 29, 2024

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.

Monday, October 25, 2021

Happy Birth Week!

This is my official birth week. I actually start it the weekend before so that I get two weekends of festivities and general merriment. As you can see.


I promise I didn't drink them *all* myself. That's what friends are for, right? Friends also arrange beautiful flowers to be delivered to your house. Thank you to the Dairy Queen for these beauties.


What goes seamlessly with champagne? Oysters! Calamity Sue and I shared a couple of dozen, while Him Outdoors arranged fish and chips, with mushy peas and gravy of course. It was a perfect dinner to be shared with great company in our garden.


The next day Design Diva and I did a reccy of stage three of The Bloody Long Walk and needed to fortify ourselves with bacon half way round. In the spirit of full disclosure, I must point out that the angle and focus of the camera has slightly distorted perspective. Contrary to appearances, the breakfast butty is not actually bigger than Design Diva's head.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Friends and Festivals

I love a good festival. I like pretty much all festivals, because they are celebrations of things that matter to people, and I like the enthusiasm that brings folk together to share a common interest. We are at the start of the Italian Film Festival in Canberra - so many things to see. 


I have no idea what this festival was for, but I like the brightly-coloured lanterns strung through the bare branches of the trees above the market stalls.


Today's book and breakfast combo: I'm reading the novel because it was shortlisted for this year's Booker Prize (and I like the cover); I'm eating the breakfast because I like bacon and egg rolls.  


We had a sort of spring meal with a gathering of friends: this is some of the dessert selection. 


Our garden continues to do its spring thing with beautiful scents and colours. 


And the cool evenings are still the perfect time to enjoy a glass of spiced mead.