Weekending

After days of rain the sun came out on Saturday and we celebrated Bastille Day beneath blue skies. We enjoyed baguettes, macaroons, markets, music and people watching at the French Festival. I couldn't resist some French inspired home wares purchases. Cohen was suitably impressed with a helium balloon and an ice cream, (though he sadly informed me Sunday morning that his balloon was "not well," when it no longer floated.) We left as grey clouds rolled over and the threat of rain hung over us. As we drove home both children slept but the rain held off.

Buddha's birthday

Night adventures in the City to see fireworks and Buddha's birthday celebrations. Cohen was more than a little excited from the moment that he heard mention of the word 'fireworks.' He counted down the hours before the "pop pops" began. We ate, danced and watched as Cohen sat wrapped in the display, calling out the colours as they exploded in the sky. 

I remember that same anticipation as a child. I too watched fireworks over the same river, calling out the colours in unison with my sister. And I still love fireworks.

PS. Be sure to visit again tomorrow for a lovely giveaway from inHomewares.

Sunday in the City

"Ice-keem tuck! Wow!"

Also while in the City yesterday.
Ice cream, sunshine, music, lunch and a sleeping baby.
A wonderful day, followed by one very tired toddler.


PS. Those daggy sun glasses Cohen is wearing? They are Dave's safety sunnies and Cohen is in love with them. Possibly because they are Dadda's? They are amusing, but at least he is wearing sun glasses, right?

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As preparations begin for our birthday picnic party tomorrow, I thought I would leave you with some images of our actual birthday adventures...

 

Noticing, appreciating, participating, celebrating.
Southbank. GOMA. City.

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“As far as I am concerned, taking photographs is a means of understanding, which cannot be separated from other means of visual expression. It is a way of shouting, of freeing oneself, not of providing or asserting one’s originality. It is a way of life. “ Henri Cartier-Bresson

I need to allocate more time for play, culture and exploration. For together they make for wonderful days. Days balanced by the laughter and noise of a water park at Southbank and the quiet contemplation of the Henri Cartier-Bresson exhibition at the Qld Art Gallery. Days enjoyed by Fiona, Cohen and myself. And surely days like this are wonderful experiences for a child learning about the world.

 Having studied Cartier-Bresson at University (once upon a time), it was a remarkable feeling to witness this collection, reverentially hung upon the gallery walls. Pages from books and slide projectors, brought to life in a way that only gelatin silver prints can master.

I thought the exhibition well curated and admired the grey walls, bentwood chairs and the quotes writ large upon the wall. The collection was selected as personal favourites of, and printing overseen by, Cartier-Bresson in the last years of his life. Not just an impressive photojournalist documenting historically important times and places, Cartier-Bresson’s works are technically brilliant with their tonal qualities, use of thirds, shadow, framing etc, but they are also simply beautiful exchanges between photographer and subject, summed up so well by the phrase used to characterise his work – ‘the decisive moment’,” which can illustrate action, emotion and an entire story in a single image.” ( Taken from the wall of the gallery.)

$12 well and truly well spent and if you find yourself in Brisbane City at some point this month, certainly an exhibition I would recommend. (So too the new water park at Southbank, which Cohen adored, his smile plastered to his face much as his hair was plastered to his head. No photographs I’m afraid, as I was just as soaked as Cohen.)