Gold Rush on Scarborough Beach..

We set off yesterday late afternoon to take some sunset shots of the sculptures on Cottesloe Beach. HUGE mistake! It was insane! I should have realized, Saturday evening and all that, there was not a parking spot to be had and looking down onto the beach it was busier than Piccadilly Station at rush hour. Ah well, another evening. Thankfully we have beautiful beaches all along the way home. We stopped to watch the sunset atop Sunset Hill at Scarborough Beach. Not a bad way to end a warm, balmy Perth day. Happy Sunday, take care and stay safe..

Sculpture by the Sea IV.. Extending the Horizon.

If you are wondering how it is possible to see the Indiana on the left in the pic above and on the right below it's thanks to the incroyable 360 degree angle of 'The Desert Island'. Constructed for Sculpture by the Sea 2018 using timber frames, steel brackets, plywood and glass mirrors it was designed by Dutch architects Gjøde & Partnere Arkitekter.. the ultimate reflection foil.. So worth watching the short video here of the architect explaining the installation plus the bonus of spectacular views over Cottesloe Beach. Definitely going back to take some shots of this one as the sun goes down tonight. Bon weekend, take care and stay safe.. P.s. you can tell how early in the morning I took these shots by the dark shadows..

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Sculpture by the Sea III..

More to see at Sculpture by the Sea 2018 on Cottesloe Beach. There are seventy installations in this years event, did I hear a *gasp*.. don't worry I'm only picking a handful.. or two :) to show you here. 'Damien Hirst Looking for Sharks' created by Danger Dave & Christian Rager using PVC tarpaulin and ripstop nylon was a huge hit with youngsters poking and prodding it's huge nose. As much as I tried I could not get the ocean horizon to match the water level in his goggles, close though :)  The artists 'Paying homage to one of Damien Hirst's most important works The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living'..

 

I loved 'A Rhythm of Landscape' below, created in stainless steel and granite by Japanese sculptor Tsutomu Matsunaga. The artist's statement explains perfectly how I viewed this work. 'Interacting with nature by rhythmically reflecting the surrounding landscape and interacting with people by reflecting expressions in the environment. This work is born of vitality by having movement and expression'. In the close-up shot many mini views captured and in the bigger shot with the artist himself the piece, in parts, is almost invisible as it blends with its surrounds.. parfait!

This too was a favourite. 'Sunny Moon' created in corten steel by Israeli Sculptor Zadok Ben-David. There is no artist statement.. non needed, to admire and appreciate was enough!

Standing reaching up to the blue skies is 'The Elder'. Created in marine grade aluminum by Ron Gomboc 'The Elder and son are represented as two independent figures with wings, demonstrating the freedom that can be gained by compassion and mutual respect'.. 

Below WA artist Kevin Draper's 'Configuration' created in forged, painted steel references 'a plantation where only upright trunks remain of the original living plants. These trees were planted in a gridlike configuration, contrasting with surrounding endemic vegetation'.. Looks amazing against the blue of the ocean and the sky..

 Last but not least for today 'Resonating Circle' created in steel and polished concrete by South African sculptor Simon Youngleson. 'This work explores the resonance of a sequence of circles, in ratio, all embedded in the design of the human form'..

... and here my own homage to the beauty of our environment and the perfect foil for these artistic endeavours, the turquoise blue waters of Cottesloe Beach.. Happy Thursday, take care and stay safe..

 

Sculpture by the Sea II..

If you have a look back at my pics of last year's Sculpture by the Sea the sky was peppered with tres photogenic cloudettes! Not a one this year which is a shame, the clouds add texture to an otherwise too blue sky! Here we are back on Cottesloe Beach to see more.  Above and below 'Flight' by UK artist Rhiannon West. 'A playful and inviting sculpture for that 'Kodak' moment. Reflective and vibrant when the sun is high in the sky, solid and bold at sunset. Dichroic lenses form human sized wings to refract and reflect the sun.' Will go back to take this one before sundown..

   

Below my own angel :) 'Waiting in the Wings.' Beautifully created in marine grade aluminum, coloured mirror finish and stainless steel by WA artist Denise Pepper. The artist's statement 'Cottesloe's inspiring vista gifts a beautiful place to muse whilst waiting between the wings. The wings, symbols of lightness and imagination are used as an expression of our aspiration towards a higher possibility.'

The symbolic work below created using galvanized steel, carbon fibre and timber oars is by NZ sculptor Rebecca Rose. The artist's statement 'What prompted our ancestors to pick up their oars and make journeys across the ocean? Adventure, opportunity or necessity. New waves of migration continue. The oar is a symbol of guidance and teamwork. There is strength in unity'.

While I was snapping details below the redhead was doing the same from another angle :) Loved the sensuous smooth granite lines of 'The Place Where a Heart Could Stay' by South Korean sculptor Sang Sug Kim. 'The relationship between a human and their homeland. The negative space left in the torso of the figure represents home.. its location in the middle of the human body represents happiness in our very core.' I find the artist's statement so moving, considering the number of people around the world today who have been driven from their homes not knowing if they will ever see them again.

Below coming in for the 'Final Approach' a piece created in aluminum, steel and polyester by WA artist Geoff Overheu. The artist's statement 'Modernism is in retreat. There is a sense of finality in the work.. an ending, out of energy, out of space, with nowhere to go except down'. Hmmm! Just what I want to think about with trip to Sydney coming up :) That's the Indiana in the background, but you knew that already right! More tomorrow, happy Wednesday, take care and stay safe..

 

Sculpture by the Sea 2018.. Knitting with wire.

Here we go again, Sculpture by the Sea 2018. It's that time of year where hopefully I can warm up the cockles of northern hemisphere reader's hearts with a lot wee bit of  sunshine, sea and art! I hope you enjoy seeing the fabulous, often quirky, sculptures on Cottesloe Beach as much as I do showing them. WA artist Tanya Spencer, working with drills and hand bending jigs instead of needles, and wire instead of yarn, created this incroyable piece 'Inspired by Rosie'. You can see more of her work here. Viewing the azure blue of the Indian Ocean through the intricate lacework at 6.30am was a wonderful experience. 

Below when we arrived at Cottesloe Beach all was calm and serene, just a few early birds...

By the time we left an hour and a bit later.. it wasn't :) On occasions like this early rises are so worth it!  More tomorrow, Happy Tuesday, Take care and stay safe...

Where To?

Street art.. on the street! One of the cool new floor murals in Maylands commissioned by the City of Bayswater. Travel the world by artist ill Withers most appropriately on the pavement in front of Flight Centre on Eighth Avenue. You can see where I am..

How about you? Where are you off to next? Shocking weather has made it impossible for many in the Northern Hemisphere to travel, holiday plans cancelled or postponed. 35C here in Perth yesterday and today, I truly wish I could send some sunshine your way! It's Labour Day long weekend here in WA, time to get into the garden and show it exactly who's in charge :) Happy Monday, take care and stay safe..

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Everything sparkles under a chandelier..

The expression 'chandeliers are the jewellery of architecture' comes to mind whenever I see the sparkle of the many multi-sized spheres of the chandelier hanging in ENEX in the city.. it's like Christmas every day :) The myriad of reflections thrown out onto the glass balustrade and surrounds make it difficult to tell what is real and what is reflection. It may not be 'classic' but it is still drop-dead gorgeous! What are you up to this weekend? I'm off to see the 2018 Sculpture by the Sea today, looks as fabulous as ever, will be an early start to beat the heat, 35C! Happy Sunday, take care and stay safe..

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