I arrived in Chicago last night and am just finding my way around. I will write about it once I am home so although I will be reading your posts I probably won't get round to commenting until I'm home.
After60 -thenext10 Part 2: 70 and onwards
This blog records my wanderings, achievements and disasters since retiring in 2011.
Wednesday, 7 June 2023
Wednesday, 31 May 2023
Piet Mondrian
This is an extract from a new exhibition at the Tate modern entitled Forms of Life. It features two artists - Hilma AF Klint (1862-1944) and Piet Mondrian (1872-1944). They both began as academically trained landscape artists and then developed a more radical approach to painting in the 20th cent. I had come to the exhibition to see Mondrian's work and his development. I have seen versions of his abstract paintings used many times in design from fabrics to architecture. I have posted some of his work here in chronological order.
Forest (study for the trees) 1912
Composition trees 2 1912-13
Composition trees 1. 1912-3
Wednesday, 17 May 2023
Punch and Judy
In 1662 Samuel Pepys recorded watching a puppet show featuring Mr Punch in Covent Garden. This event is celebrated each year at the Spring Fayre and Puppet Show in St Paul's churchyard in Covent Garden. Punch and Judy professors and puppeteers come from all over the country and some from other countries to perform and to show their hand made puppets.
It was by chance that I happened to be in Covent Garden on Sunday. I had missed much of the celebrations and shows but this is one for the diary next year.There were numerous puppet shows set up in the garden and it looked like lots of fun for children and adults alike.
The character of Punch originates from the Italian Commedia dell’arte theatre tradition and Samuel Pepys recorded seeing ‘an Italian puppet play – a great resort for gallants within the rayles of Covent Garden’. Punch was originally a string puppet but was introduced as a glove puppet by Giovanni Piccini who left Italy in 1779. He came to live in the Coal Yard in Covent Garden and died in the workhouse in 1835 aged 90.
Taken from Alternative arts website
Friday, 12 May 2023
The garden
Friday, 5 May 2023
The Coronation
Tomorrow is the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. I always like to get a look at these spectacular events but I realise that it will probably be impossible to get near enough to see anything so I decided to go this evening to walk along the Mall. The atmosphere was amazing. It was friendly and full of fun. Some of the costumes were very creative. People starting camping here on Monday so tonight there wasn't much room left.
This is what the Mall looked like on Monday.
This is what it looked like tonight at about 7pm.Lots of TV crews from around the world interviewing campers.
There were a couple of crossing places so you could get from one side of the Mall to the other.
There were also loads of portaloos for visitors to use.
First thing in the morning the tents will have to be cleared away.
I walked back from the Mall and into Trafalgar Square.
I am assuming that's a large screen at the back there in front of the National Gallery.
I'm pleased I went to have a look but tomorrow I will be watching it all on the TV. At the Queen's Coronation I was only two but I remember my mother telling me I enjoyed the street party.
Thursday, 4 May 2023
Bluebells
It's that time of the year again when the bluebells are at their best.