Sunday, July 29, 2012

Shadow Shot Sunday 157 - London


An obvious London 2012  theme this week with the Olympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville casting their shadows on the South Bank which right now has the most festive atmosphere ever. I have tickets to see the volleyball, rowing, and athletics and can't wait to get inside the Olympic venues and cheer the teams on to victory....


For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday...Enjoy!!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Olympic fever hits Hounslow.....


The whole of Hounslow was out today to welcome the Olympic Torch on day 67 of the Relay around Britain. Eager anticipation was on everyone's face as we heard it had arrived in Brentford and would soon hit Hounslow High Street......


Indian drummers created atmosphere and the union jacks were out in force - a number of years ago the union jack in Hounslow would have been a sign of the BNP and other fascist, racist groups - I remember refusing to allow a past lodger to hang out his union jack bedspread on the washing line as it would have been too provocative and inflammatory. Now the flag has been reclaimed from the far Right and can be waved as a sign of national support - even I was waving one!!


Everyone was dressed up and there was a real party, carnival atmosphere in this multi-ethnic London neighbourhood where I have lived and taught since the early eighties - everyone was chatting to each other and cheered when the torch came past - you can just see it in the collage below (top right) behind the security...


I have never seen so many local houses, streets, parks, and people decorated with flags, bunting, union jacks galore...


...And the fun continued with a Family Day in nearby Lampton Park....


Listening to the strong beats of this fantastic brass band aptly called "Brass Roots".....


And finally a big thankyou to this gentlemen who set himself up on Lampton Road simply to serve cold water and hot chai to passersby - totally free of charge....


This day will be remembered for not only when the Olympic Torch arrived and travelled through Hounslow, but also for when summer and smiles finally arrived in London this year - after at least 6 weeks of non-stop rain.....Now we are just waiting for the Games to begin....

Friday, July 20, 2012

Weekend Reflections 18 - Cannes


These spheres reflect the world famous seaside promenade of "La Croisette" in Cannes, home to impressive hotels, the stars of the Cannes Film festival, and a host of local flaneurs...


If you look closely at the collage you will see that the spheres form part of art work for sale along "La Croisette".....For more reflection shots this week, click HERE for Weekend Reflections. Enjoy!!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Shadow Shot Sunday 156 - Monaco


I am in London right now suffering endless rain and flash flooding, so here is a shot of the Presidential Palace up on the Rock on a bright sunny summer's day in Monaco.....For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!

Friday, July 13, 2012

Weekend Reflections 17 - Nice


Notre Dame in Nice is the subject of this week's reflection as it turns all wobbly and wavy in the next door office building......


For more reflections this week click HERE. Enjoy!!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Posing in Place Massena - Nice


One bare-chested man greets another in Place Massena, the square at the heart of the city of Nice....


Built in 1832 it is named after a local military commander and provides one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the city....


It is also home to both local landmark the famous fountain with its striking sculptures, as well as the seven seated buddhas by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa...


The seven seated figures represent the seven continents and represent a global dialogue in this installation by Plensa entitled "Conversation a Nice"....


Illuminated beautifully at night, the square and the sculptures take on a whole different mode beneath the moonlight....


Nice is home to a wealth of outdoor art and sculpture on public display - this square is just the start!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Shadow Shot Sunday 155 - Monaco


Looking over the edge of the Rock in Monaco, I noticed this empty playground below with its shadowy swing and shadowy trees simply awaiting children to come and play. The more conventional shot that everyone else was taking was this scenic view of Fontvielle harbour...


For more shadow shots this week, click HERE for Shadow Shot Sunday. Enjoy!!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Weekend Reflections 16 - Nice



Palm trees reflected at sunset in the fountain outside the Acropolis venue in Nice. For more reflection shots this week, click HERE. Enjoy!!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Art in Aix......


Most people head off along the Cezanne trail when in Aix-en-Provence visiting his studio, his country home Jas de Bouffan, and the Gallery that houses some of his works, as after all he is the city's most famous son - but you can also follow an op art trail by visiting the quirky Foundation that houses the work of Hungarian-French artist Vasarely. Considered the earliest pioneer of Op Art with his 1930s work "Zebra" in Paris, he certainly developed into a master of the movement.....





Wander around the various galleries and marvel at the large scale works on display which confound the eye with their impressive optical illusions...where flat surface shapes seem to be either bursting out at you or shrinking back from your gaze....


The building itself was designed especially by Vasarely to display his works, and was opened in 1976. It is well worth a visit when you are next in Aix......Enjoy!!