Blog 93: Searching in the sunshine

A quote I have recently come across, which I understand is from Edgar Degas ‘Art is not what you see, but what you make others see’ is now my starting point.

An enameled door in the Le Corbusier’s Ronchamp chapel in France grabbed my attention. Images on a door, in a white washed building with a grey stunning roof . IMG_1841

Its what others see, alongside an architectural extravaganza on a hill in the Ronchamp French sunshine which might make this door open.

Blog 91: Remembering our people landscape

‘The Portrait of Sakip Sabanci’ by Kutlug AtamanIMG_1743

With ‘selfies’ and a ‘look at me’ culture, it was a welcome relief to find a piece of work at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, which was a reminder about the people around us.10,000 LCD panels, hung from the ceiling like a large sheet quivering in the wind. ‘The Portrait of Sakip Sabanci’ by Kutlug Ataman was a work, which really focused on people, but it was the people whom Sabanci had encountered before his death 15 years ago. It was a reminder of my own people landscape and a great choice for the exhibition.

Blog 90: Something beautiful

Anke Birnie ‘Acrobat’ IMG_1698 - Version 2

I visited the Affordable Art Show in London at the weekend and fell in love with so many pieces of work. I spoke to the Artists and saw the excitement in the eyes of people who knew they had found something absolutely made for them.

‘Acrobat’ is my pull out photo today because I was drawn in like a bee to a honey pot by Anke Birnie’s work at the Store Street Gallery stand. The tension in the acrobats arm, her hand clinging to the rope, the bronze and her clothes draping are all part of her appeal, but with all arts there is always something else which is indescribable. Something beautiful.

 

Blog 88: Stretching the imagination

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Wow a location where the arts and sciences are in unison. Being outside, enjoying a structure which just has a very calming effect is a must for anyone feeling they just want to get out away from the rat run. I don’t know if it’s the stretched fabric, the idea of a robot behind a screen and of course the colourful environment surrounding, but without doubt engineering has suddenly become live for me.

Elytra Filament Pavilion V&A Engineering Season – 6 November.

Blog 87: Exercising my imagination

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Another day enroute to my goal. I know it’s not the destination it’s the journey that’s important, but there is no doubt in my mind having a goal is more exciting than frustrating. Well today it is.

Prior to my next injection of cultural activity, I turn to my bookshelf for some useful prompts and inspiration. My latest amazing find is ‘How to have great ideas’ A guide to creative thinking by John Ingledew.

My day starts with ‘Exercise your imagination’ and that’s exactly what I intend to do

Blog 86: Finding Bees

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I plan to stop numbering my blogs once I get to 100, but getting to 100 has been a greater challenge than I expected. I’m presently feeling like one of the few people on earth who is not on face book, but no worries, I see this blog as putting my head above the parapet and my attempt to join the other side.

Well for the moment number 86 continues to be my memory bank, which is essential and today I return to my trip to Oxford University Museum of Natural History and finding Bees, in particular Kurt Jacksons Bees exhibition.

Amazing creatures in an absolutely amazing place.

http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk

Blog 85: Upward and Onward

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Finding the prompt that helps you move forward is often a challenge. A change of environment, a visit to see something new and or a good book with a cup of coffee is my recommendation.

Red flowers, upward, onward and a good read. ‘The person who doesn’t make mistakes is unlikely to make anything’ a wonderful quote from an excellent read by Paul Arden. ‘It’s not how good you are, it’s how good you want to be’ is really motivational, accessible makes you smile and with quotes which I am sure I will be referencing for some time.

Blog 83: Community spirit on the Southbank

Back from a trip to the Southbank and I still have goose bumps.

37 screens showing scenes of Shakespeare plays along the River, mentioned on Radio 4 on Saturday evening was my first prompt.

My plan was to negotiate the crowds attending the Marathon and off to Blackfriars bridge tube station I went.

I have always been a supporter of the marathon but from afar, not really engaging but this has definitely now changed!

As I crossed the Bridge on my way to the Shakespeare events I could hear the cheering and feeling already the support and community feeling around the activities taking place below. Runners at the 24-mile point and people lining the road and on the bridge above shouting encouragement for them to keep going. I never imagined the impact this would have on me. Not meant for the visitor aiming for the cultural experience; the crowds, cheering and community spirit surrounding me has been like a shot in the dark and has opened another door to the inspirational experiences and opportunities around me.