Sunday, August 15, 2010

SO WHAT IS ART?

Illustration by Donovan O'Malley

So what is Art?

Is art just pictures and sculptures in a museum? The safe bet?

A recent BBC program suggested that the largest galleries in the main capitals "decide" what is to be art in order to make money. Is a sheep cut in half and put in formaldehyde in a plexiglass case, art?

Would that sheep in formaldehyde, in the plexiglas, be considered art if it stood in an old barn close to other living sheep? With no one to view it except the living sheep and the farmer? Would the farmer be apprehended for cruelty to animals?

Or does the sheep in formaldehyde and plexiglas only become art when someone who specializes in finding groups of words to glamorize this "art" -- reassures us, the followers, the lemmings, and those with masses of money to invest, that this is indeed art, and yes, spend your money on this. And it might be a ticklish delight to be able to say that one likes art with animals in formaldehyde. One needs to set oneself apart. What to do when you own everything and there is no more room for tattoos.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

WORK OF ART

So what famous painter was it?

Could it be...

No, more like....

Maybe it is the latest from the fashionable gallery in...

Well....

I am not for keeping anyone on tenterhooks,

Here is the answer

Monday, August 9, 2010

OFFENDING LID ?

When American customers bought Häagen-Dazs ice cream in 1985, it was made in America and of the highest quality. But the the lid implied it came from Scandinavia. Oslo and Copenhagen are there on that lid but Stockholm is strangely absent (was Sweden not politically correct then?)

But today, when Häagen-Dazs ice cream is sold in Europe and made in France, they wish to imply that it is an American ice cream! Interesting turnaround. I suppose they would now prefer to forget about that darn lid...?

Sunday, August 8, 2010

THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW !

THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW is the most well known Flower and Garden show in the world. It receives an enormous amount of publicity the world over. It takes place every year at The Royal Hospital in Chelsea, London on a total of 11 acres.

An enormous amount of money, talent and prestige is involved and a lot of artifice too, in creating the stunning show gardens where the flowers are magically in full bloom on the opening day in May. How they manage all that is beyond belief. Many awards are handed out. And then, five days later, the elaborate constructions, the temples, the rural stone cottages, the large trees, shrubs, hedges and all the plants have to be uprooted and moved. Sad indeed.

Everyone wants to visit, but the five days are a limitation. The first two days are reserved for the royal family, celebrities and members of the Royal Horticultural Society. The remaining three days are left for the public.

Only 157.000 people have a chance to visit when probably millions would love to come. So those who cannot be there in the flesh, can enjoy the pictures taken by those who were there. An official DVD of the show is also produced on behalf of the RHS.

The talented photographer "UGArdener" was there in 2007 and has been considerate enough in arranging several albums (sets) on the photo sharing website Flickr. But first an introduction by Gardenvisit.com

The bigger show gardens are the big attraction and they are sponsored by various companies, countries and institutions. I think we can start with the Flemings Australian garden, and then The Fortnum & Mason Garden.

The Japanese Moss Garden is simply wonderful and exotic.

The garden called 600 Days on Mars, by Sarah Eberle, a futuristic garden, was awarded first prize.

In between looking at the gardens, I suggest we follow on a general tour of the various exhibitors.Then back to more gardens:

-The Linnaeus Garden

-Lloyds TSB Show Gardens

-The Chinese Moon Gate Garden

-Chris Beardshaw's Hidcote Centenary Tribute

-Karl Foerster Garden

-Jinny Blom's Laurent Perrier garden

-There were other large gardens shown together in one album.

-We must not forget to visit the inside Floral Pavilion, a most amazing place.

-Before we leave, a visit Courtyard and City gardens.

There! We have had a lovely day and a chance to enjoy the beauty of the gardens and to catch up on current trends in gardening. Thank you so much Mr. UGArdener for this lovely tour of the 2007 Chelsea Flower Show!

Have a look at the 2010 Chelsea Flower show !

Thursday, July 29, 2010

IN LOVE WITH ENGLAND

All pictures published with the kind permission of UGArdener.

"I am a middle aged American man living in the North Georgia mountains near the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. My wife and I are active hikers. We love to travel in England because of the cool weather, the extensive public transportation and the thousands of miles of public footpaths. I have been working on a garden of my own for twelve years. I have used many of the ideas that I have gotten from English gardens."

These are the words of "UGAardener", a wonderful and prolific photographer. He has most generously shared his experiences in many albums of English villages and gardens. His pictures are artistic and inspired as you can see above.

Many visitors to England, never get beyond London (and some people never get a chance to go on a vacation at all) so this is a fantastic opportunity to see England at its best and most beautiful. Here is the perfect guide!

Below are some of his many albums (many days enjoyment) presented in no particular order. (Playing music is recommended, and also using the "full screen" mode. Click in the right hand lower corner where there are four dots. To leave the "full screen" mode, press the "esc" key.)

-The Gardens, Park and House at Chatsworth in Derbyshire (the house used as Pemberly, the estate belonging to Mr. Darcy in Pride and Predjudice)

-Wakehurst Place, Sussex

-Broadway, Cotswolds, Worcestershire

-Snowshill Manor, Cotswolds

-Bourton on the Hill, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire

-Batsford Arboretum

-Bourton House Garden, Cotswolds

-Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire

-Tissington, Derbyshire

-I do not like hiking myself, but I certainly enjoy the photos from the walk in the Shropshire Hills and Tissington Trail in Derbyshire.

-More hiking: Dovedale, Beresford Dale, Wolfscote Dale, Milldale and Biggen Dale in Derbyshire and Heart of England Way near Sezincote

-The Cobblestone Streets of Rye, East Sussex

-Haddon Hall, Derbyshire

-Eyam and Stoney Middleton

-Sissinghurst the famous garden created by Vita Sackville West

-Hidcote Manor Garden, one of England's most interesting gardens.

-Bakewell, Derbyshire

-Ludlow, Shropshire

-Sezincote Garden, Cotswolds

-The Oxford Botanic Garden

-Chastleton House and Village

-Oxford - City of Dreaming Spires

-Moreton in Marsh, Cotswolds

-Stow on Wold to Lower Slaughter, Cotswolds

-Hatfield House, Hertfordshire

-Blockley Village, Cotswolds, Gloucestershire

-Nymans Garden in East Sussex

-Dedham and Flatford Mill - Suffolk

-The Garden at Henry James' Lamb House, Rye

-The Arts and Crafts Garden at Standen, West Sussex

-Mill Dene Gardens, Blockley, Cotswolds

-Baslow Hall and Village, Derbyshire

-And of course there is dear old London. Walk one, two, three, four and five

So what influence have all these trips to England had on UGAardner's own garden in Northern Georgia in America? I have discovered many.

Our UGAardener has been a big contributor to the English Garden Group where there are masses of pictures to enjoy!

UGAardener has many more albums, here grouped in "collections" to make it easier. Here are the "500 most interesting" photos from all his albums.

There are other photographers also in love with English gardens and I particularly like this selection by Nigel Burkitt.

GOTHENBURG VINTAGE TRAMS

Gothenburg, Sweden, has only trams and busses (no underground).

During the tourist season, the vintage tram association (Ringlinien Tramway Society), operates the old trams from the railway-station to the Liseberg Funfair Park. These old trams are a bit rattly to ride in, but a joy to behold. Want to see more pictures?

NEW BOOK!

Much of human activity is centered around food. We think of food whether we’re hungry or not. We spend a great deal of time buying it. We take hours preparing it (well, some do). We talk about it. We read about it in cook books. We watch television when chefs talk about it (sometimes to excess). When we socialize, it is often centered around the communal intake of it. We give it as gifts. Food, we can’t escape it! Some people become keenly interested in preparing food for themselves and others; many have become what we call “good cooks”. Usually a degree of creativity is involved together with a keen interest to entertain and a need to take care of others, to be a good host. It is such people that one remembers, and that is how I got started on Food & Folk, remembering, for example that excellent couple, Beatrice and Clayburn La Force on their ranch in Alpine California. After that I just kept going.

MY HOMETOWN GOTHENBURG

A series of closeups (224 photos) of Gothenburg, Sweden. Language: English and Swedish.----- This book consists of a series of closeups of Gothenburg. It is no history book but, hopefully, it will generate some curiosity about our city. When you walk in a city like London you are struck by Britain’s colonial past and its enormous wealth which manifests itself in buildings and institutions all over the city. When you walk in “Little London” as Gothenburg is often called, one is keenly aware of its importance as the best fortified city in Northern Europe. Two forts still watch over it. Remnants of the seventeenth century wall, and the meandering moat are a reminder of the city’s military past. Positioned on the West coast of Sweden, Gothenburg was once a world leader in ship building and shipping and evolved naturally into a merchant’s city. The English and Scottish heritage here is very important. There are clues and traces everywhere. One has only to look.

A GARDEN IN MY HOMETOWN

A book in English and Swedish about the Garden Society of Gothenburg--TRÄDGÅRDSFÖRENINGEN -----The Garden Society of Gothenburg is one of the best preserved early 19th century parks in Europe. It is situated directly downtown, offering lovely walks in the park or in the shaded woodland areas along the canal/moat, waterfront. The garden recently went through a major renovation under the auspices of Ulf Nordfjell, the internationally known landscape designer. The aim was to bring the garden back to its old nineteenth century glory. Carpet bedding returned and five new woodland areas were designed by five international garden designers. A superb new rose park was added, a successful blending of historical roses and perennials.

Love letters from my Swedish grandfather Folke to my American grandmother Olga 1909 - 1961

My American grandmother, Olga, met my Swedish grandfather, Folke Jonsson, in Brussels in 1909. Olga was 18 and Folke, 23. They settled in Gothenburg and Särö, Sweden. Olga, being American, had her family in Florida, and Folke soon came to realize that if you marry a woman from another continent, and this woman is charmingly independent, innovative and brave, and has her own means to boot, she is bound to want to visit her native country some time -- or several times -- or more than several times. To Folke, a sensitive soul, the long separations were quite painful and he suffered till his darling Olga returned. He “talked” to her in his frequent letters. Olga saved all his letters, in their original envelopes, in neat little bundles held together with different coloured ribbons. They were a treasured lifelong testament of his love. Olga and Folke corresponded in English as Olga was American and preferred writing in English. Had my grandfather Folke married a Swedish woman who had stayed at home, there would not be this stack of his letters today. He never intended the letters to be shown to others, but more than one hundred years have passed since Folke wrote them to his darling Olga. I have enjoyed getting to know my grandfather in this manner and I think others, not only relatives, should also share that privilege.

A pictorial Companion to the letters in the book above: 150 pictures of Olga & Folke 1909-1978

NEW BOOK BY DONOVAN O'MALLEY

REVIEW: "...O'Malley continues to prove that he is one of the more important writers around, a writer who with every book brings into our lives some very strange, often exceedingly humorous, and now, frequently very lonely people. His ability to create language for each of his characters is sharp, well studied and written, and without belittling anyone he, in language, shows the difference between class, and education, and exposure. Likely that comes from his experience in writing plays where characters are alive and moving, but with his considerable literary skills he makes his written page people morph into real life folks. He is in top form here ... " Grady Harp, June 12 (Hall of Fame reviewer)