last ride in a hot air balloon

Yesterday Beth and I went on an excursion that involved a day of art, to replenish the mind and spirit, and frequent stops for delicious food and coffee, to replenish the body and lift the energy levels! We visited a variety of galleries in the central city that are participating in the 4th Auckland Triennial - Last Ride in a Hot Air Balloon. Curator Natasha Conland writes that "adventure and it's incumbent risk has been central to modernity's geographic and economic expansion. But are also vital to it's exploration of the mind, the body and society at large." Artists from all over the world were invited to respond to the theme and to interpret it's meaning through their chosen art forms. Installations include 3 D, sculpture, film, 2D and performance art.
We started at Art space on K Rd, then headed on to Shed 6 in Wellesley St, then the George Fraser Gallery in Princes St, the St Pauls St Gallery at AUT and finally the Auckland Art Gallery. I loved the variety of the artists responses and the way it really makes you think about your own response as the viewer.

Some highlights were....

Mike Parr's Facts About the Room (1970). Just a whole lot of one sentence descriptions about the physical aspects of the room stencilled on the wall but managing to engage the viewer and stimulate thought, laughter, irony, a sense of peace, unease....

The Room with a Bird (2010) by Bundith Phunsombatlert evokes a similar feeling to Alfred Hitchcock's movie The Birds (but without the birds!) Empty bird perches hang down a narrow hallway and as you pass through they move and make noises of the bird flying away. "The known has become unknowable."

Jorge Macchi's 12 Short Songs (2009) manages to contrast the doom and gloom of the current global financial crisis by displaying text on cheerful looking banners that are then played on music boxes that make them sound lighthearted and delightful.

The Last Tour (2004) by Marine Hugonnier is a beautiful film of the Materhorn where the juxtiposition of images and ideas challenges the way that we perceive our world. As you observe what is before you "you cannot help but map postcard images of what you want to remember." I love the way that art can challenge the way we perceive things and how we embrace our world. It's a reminder that we need to see more, to look deeper, to not be trapped into taking snapshot images instead of fully participating in the whole of life and all that it has to offer.




Pitstop and lunch at Deus Ex Machina in Wellesley St, heaven for bike and motorbike enthusiasts. Check it out.... It's a fantastic blend of shop, merchandise, workshop and cafe. Beth and I came away loving the food, the best bathroom ever and pining over BMX bikes!

We also visited Jason's Books with it's amazing selection of secondhand books. It's a quiet haven in the centre of the city. Here's some of the shipping ephemera Beth purchased. They provide a fascinating window into another era where travelling on a ship was the height of romance and adventure!

And we finished the day with a creative burst of crafting. Beth has been developing ideas round jewellery that is created with traditional crafting methods. This is her Hundertwasser inspired work in progress and I have started embroidering multi-faceted fabric jewels. Watch this space.....

matakana

Last Saturday morning I headed out of Auckland up to the Farmers Market at Matakana. It's such a great feeling to be on a road trip on a lovely day. As I arrived in Matakana it was bustling! There were people everywhere. Before I headed into the market I went for a wander....

The Farmers Market operates every Saturday morning and draws huge crowds of people. They do not disappoint. Everything is locally produced. Freshly picked and prepared. You are so spoilt for choice. I feasted on a delicious breakfast of polenta, figs and plums with a dash of cream. Amazing!! It melted in my mouth! The markets are a visual and literal feast....

While the Farmers Market is full of fresh produce and food, there are great vintage finds at the stalls by Matakana House. I spent ages perusing the unusual array of objects on display. Where else could you purchase old nets, floats and anchors? I wasn't really in the market for them. My purchases included two vintage blankets (for cushions), some old rose prints, 1960's Kiwi Bacon playing cards, NZ souvenir teaspoons and embroidered tray cloths. All in amazing condition and at bargain prices.Check out the market for yourself. It's a satisfying way to spend a Saturday. Delicious treats for the body and visual treats for the eye....

2 x 2

Today I went to two birthday parties to celebrate the birthday person turning two. It's a really momentus occasion. In the year that's passed, you've lived half of your life. You've achieved massive milestones (walking, talking, independence....) and grown a whole heap. It really is something worth celebrating!

So in the morning I was at Mission Bay with Ruby's family and friends. The theme - pretty, pink and butterflies....

Happy Birthday Ruby!

Then in the afternoon I drove out - way, way out into the country to celebrate Lewis' birthday with his family and friends in Kaukapakapa. The theme - cowboys, cake and cars!

Happy Birthday Lewis!

Even though both parties were different theme-wise, they were similar in so many ways....

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  both sets of parents had put in a lot of time and effort to make each party really special.
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  lots of people gathered to celebrate how far the birthday people have come (in their action packed two years) and everything that makes them special.
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  everyone wanted the best for them and to show them how much they are loved.
• 
  
  all the presents were thoughtfully chosen to suit their particular personality and interests.
• 
  
  we were all keen to sing "Happy Birthday" and eat cake!

It has been a privilege to be part of these little people's lives over the last year or so and I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with them. I bet Lewis loves cake just as much when he's 21! It will be interesting to see where Ruby stands on pink when she's 21.......

wellington

On Saturday I boarded an early Jetstar flight bound for Wellington. We had the best landing ever. Smooth as silk, no turbulence, no wind. Is this really Wellington? Yes! Windless, blue sky, warm morning sun. And so began my perfect day in Wellington.....

The primary reason for my visit to Wellington was to see Yayoi Kusama's Mirrored Years exhibition on at the City Art Gallery. I arrived at the gallery as it opened and there was already a queue right out into the square. So many people keen to view Kusama's distinctive installations using repetitive patterns, forms and spots to explore visual and sensory perception and concepts of infinity. My favourite was "Fireflies on the Water". Here Kusama's dots are transformed into coloured lights representing fireflies. The room is totally dark except for the coloured lights that are reflected in all directions by mirrors and pools of water. As I stood on the platform, seemingly suspended in this amazing world, with all the reflections resonating out into infinity/eternity, I was overcome by the bigness of God and my place in his universe. It really was a spiritual experience.


After my gallery experience I wandered round Wellington......

....along the waterfront, Frank Kitts park and walkways.

....up Victoria and Cuba Streets to view the eclectic, interesting shops.
It's like wandering down Brunswick St in Melbourne but so much closer to home!

I loved Swonderful - full of wonderful handcrafted jewellery, clothes, accessories and so much more. Very inspiring!

....lots of vintage shops full of treasures at great prices. So much to see.....

....stopped for a refuel at Le Metropolitain.... beautiful food and friendly staff. A genuine taste of France in the heart of Cuba St.

....caught the cable car to capture spectacular views of the city.

My visit was rounded off with a visit to Te Papa and the Pompeii exhibition. A poignant, touching experience that left me a little overwhelmed.

My delicious, beautifully presented tart at Le Metropolitain.

Sevens fever was in full swing!

Guess what these guys are........

Views of the harbour and city from the top of the cable car.

Sigh! Bye Wellington. I had fun spending the day with you!