Weekending

How busy the days are in December! The most hectic month in a jewellers calendar, and a Mothers too I would argue. Between an influx of orders, school craft days, a looming seventh birthday, preparations for Christmas, and a holiday by the beach, it's a time for breathing deep when the to-do list threatens to overwhelm, A time to ensure there are scheduled time outs to enjoy life as a family and not get lost in the hustle and bustle of break up parties, school assemblies and swimming lesson blocks. And so was our adventure last weekend, as we explored the GOMA markets, APT and the museum. Amidst the visual feast. we were all taken by the carpet of flame tree flowers between the galleries, and they way their colours popped against the green of the grass.

I hope you are enjoying the season of celebrations, and finding time to explore and discover as well too! xx

33!

I celebrated my birthday this past weekend with some of my favourite people and favourite things. Having already had an early birthday present farm stay didn't stop my sweet family from making the weekend all about me. Dave took the children to visit the big dinosaurs so that I may wander through the wonderful Bristyle markets in the Whale Mall, we all explored the children's art room at GOMA, and then I left them busily making their own Magic Lands (and you can too) while I visited the Future Beauty exhibition, luxuriously alone. 

It's such a shame photography wasn't permitted, as words alone can not do justice to the experience. The space, the designs, the elegance and the outrageousness. If you are a lover of design, fashion or art, there is something in this collection for everyone - except possibly children. We meandered back to the car through the museum and gazed at dinosaur bones, pinned beetles and a formaldehyde shark. I stumbled upon a crystal and mineral collection tucked away on a landing in a stair well and drooled over the contents until my husband dragged me away. (I shall share pictures with you tomorrow.)

Yesterday there was flowers, wine, a lovely lunch and even a delightful nap.

Happy birthday to me and my beautiful twin sister! xx

Weekending

Biosphere by Tomas Saraceno

I used to love working in the City; dressing up, the hustle and bustle, the people watching, the sense of being part of a bigger picture, the constant state of flux. There was always an air of possibility, and I feel it still when we go exploring in the City. There is always so much to see and do, especially if you know where to look.

Saturday there was not only the new Harvest exhibition to discover - complete with children's activities, there was also the GOMA Store Winter Design Market, and Southbank's Regional Flavours. As a result I came home with handmade goodies, beautiful wine, roasted honey macadamia nuts (that didn't last long) and worn out children. 

Sunday we indulged our homebody-ness as we pottered around the house and worked in the garden. It was  so satisfying to stand back at the end of the day, brush the dirt off my hands and the hay off my knees, and survey the two freshly turned veggie patches, the 25 strawberry plants, 12 cherry tomato seedlings, eight baby spinach seedlings and potted flowers.

Yes, it was a good weekend indeed. 

I hope yours was too.

'Falling Back to Earth' at GOMA

Heritage 2013

Eucalyptus 2013

Visitors are invited to slow down and enjoy a Chinese tea ceremony.

Head On 2006

The Gallery of Modern Arts latest exhibition does not disappoint. 'Falling Back to Earth' features the work of Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang, arguably one of the worlds most innovative contemporary artists. Of the three installations featured in the exhibition, two are new works, Eucalyptus and Heritage. As you enter the exhibition an enormous Eucalyptus tree lays uprooted and suspended mid-fall to earth, stretching through the length of the large gallery room it fills. One can't help by approach the tree with awe, firstly at the practical concerns of moving such a giant into the space it rested, a feat in and of itself. And then at the striking beauty and contrasts expressed between nature and humanity. The viewer is invited to sit on log stumps to sketch and interact with the 31 meter tree, which was removed from an urban development near Springfield.

The beautiful and disquieting Heritage features 99 animal replicas from 5 continents, drinking side by side from a serene blue lake, surrounded by white sand - inspired by Cai's visit to Morton Bay's Islands. Concrete, steel and soil were excavated from the galleries foundations to create the lake, which is disturbed every so often by a drop of water from the ceiling, sending ripples through the still surface, as it falls back to earth.

The third installation in the exhibition, Head On, features 99 replica wolves hurtling themselves at a glass wall. The piece was created for the Guggenheim in Berlin in 2006 as a response to Cai's time in Berlin and is being shown in Australia for the first time. Said to be a metaphor for humanities ability to repeat it's own mistakes, the glass wall is the same height as the Berlin wall. 

The exhibition also features an interactive children's component, where little ones can join in and create their own Cai Guo-Qiang inspired masterpieces. Running until the 11th of May, it is well worth the $15 admission fee. (Children under 12 are free.)

30/52

 

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013." Che and Fidel.

 

Cohen: Sitting on a million dollar elephant.

Emerson: A look of nervous triumph, as she reached her goal.

 

I've been especially mindful this week to enjoy the pace of our slow mornings, the simple structure of our days, and the one on one time I am afforded throughout the day with my little ones. It makes such a difference when I remember there is not so much I 'have' to do, rather things I 'want' to do, and take the pressure off accordingly.

 

Two of my favourites from last week - my milky way and this jen day.

Souvenirs

One of my favourite places to explore, alone or as a family, is the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane. GOMA is currently hosting the 7th Asia Pacific Triennial, which I have been frequenting since I was a teenager. Today we spent a couple of hours taking in the exhibition. Seeking out the pieces that most appealed to us. Pausing before the skill and craftsmanship of many of the pieces. I found myself drawn, as always, to the paintings of interiors and sculptures displaying craft elements. (There are more photos on my flickr account of some of the pieces that caught my eye.)

It was quiet at the gallery today. Quieter than I had expected, given that it is a school holiday weekend. I love feeling like I have the place almost to myself. There were no queues, no rush. We wandered into this interactive exhibit and had a wonderful time. These images are our souvenirs of this mornings adventure. I love them all, but particularly the one of my little man alone, pulling a cheeky face.

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APT last year on the blog.

'Sculpture is Everything'

Gummo IV Lara Favaretto

 Wolken (Clouds) Michael Sailstorfer

Balmarra Alan Griffiths

Wanydjalpi (Yam sculpture) Elizabeth Djuttara

Glass Vehicles Heri Dono

Fiona Hall's interactive children's artwork Fly Away Home and Pooja (Loot) Simryn Gill


Phoenix, Indian blue peacock (Pavo Cristatus) Louise Weaver

I took photos of some of my favourite pieces from the 'Sculpture is Everything' exhibition we visited at the Gallery of Modern Arts on the weekend. I quite often find myself drawn to those pieces with a craft element to them. I love the blurring of boundaries between what is traditionally considered 'art' or 'craft.' A combination of two of my great loves. I enjoy spotting knitting and crochet in art galleries, like the taxidermy peacock with a crochet 'skin.'

I have found that Cohen is more interested in sculpture than painting. He ran to some exhibits, fascinated by them at length and circling them up close. The kinetic sculptures brought him the most joy.  He also lead the way to the Children's Art Center where we made our third bird at the Fly Away Home exhibition (which is free and runs until the 7th October.) Named "Sarah" by Cohen, our bird found it's home in an empty niche in a wall full of down lit birds. Cohen dictated the other information to be added to the tag. Under heading 'diet' Cohen requested I write "scissors." For 'behaviour' I dutifully wrote, "drinks milk in nest." For 'other interesting facts' Cohen advised, "also eats chips." 

How wonderful, the imagination of children.

When do you last visit an art gallery or museum?

Who is one of your favourite artists? 

Do you prefer painting, sculpture or something else?