Plop Art. Seriously?

Just when you think you’ve heard just about everything (Is that really possible in these days of mass media?) I read of an urban sculpture described as “plop” art.  Wiki of course, has a definition but in essence it is public art that does not sit well in its urban environment.  “It’s been just plonked”.  So does that make it bad art?  Or perhaps architects, town planners, city workers etc. are to blame for not making integration easier.  

Seriously though, some of these artistic offerings are causing a little bit of frisson between the relationship of art and architecture, and statements about what is culturally acceptable.  Ah, now that’s more to the point!  So who is making these decisions?

Plop was used to describe Niki de Saint Phalle’s sculptures that enthusiastically grace New York Ave in Washington DC.  Washington is very formal, rather reserved and a tad grey.  That doesn’t mean I didn’t like the place.....  But there isn't a coffee shop on every corner and we did have to walk a fair way to find a restaurant or two, so it wasn’t surprising that at times the streets seemed empty, even dull.   

So, to see these colourful and energetic figures tingling with joie de vivre, almost skipping down New York Avenue was a bit like watching a natural energy (like kids at play or koi at feeding time- you know the kinda thing!).  Strange bedfellows maybe but to me, the works add another dimension to an already complex Washington. 

As to art that has come to a bad end, or bad art that has come to an end - perhaps not!  An acceptable solution I’ve seen for seriously bad art to be preserved for all time (just to make sure we are remembered at our worst) is the MOBA.  No relationship to the MOMA, but what a great way not to take ourselves too seriously.  When you’re done with that, join the queues to visit one of Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museums.  No one could possibly be offended there (because it’s cloaked in four walls?).

(As an aside, plonk used to describe sherry or fortified wine, popular pre-dinner drinks a few years ago.  We Aussies are wine and beer drinkers now, but some still say "it's a bottle of plonk".  Usually a cheap one!  Here's cheers and enjoy a tipple or two for the New Year celebrations.)

Exploring Blue Mountains

Quilt (or Guilt) Tripping No#2

(13 April 2011)

Well on the way to meeting our 12 step program (5 shops down, 7 to go) we launched on a trip to the Blue Mountains following guidance on The Western Quilt Trail.  April was great, not too cold and not too hot.  Again we travelled in the footsteps of our forefathers; searching for new and fertile territory.  But our search was for inspiration - to either start new projects or finish old ones…..any good excuse really to buy new fabrics!

We met for breakfast in coolish Blackheath.  After a satisfying coffee or two (we’re rather needy that early in the morning) we waited for Ribbons & Rainbows to open.  Sadly, this classic patchwork shop is now closed for good – but bargains were to be had that day, so we warmed the plastic for early use.  Our little group had grown somewhat with three others joining us for the day’s adventure.

Ribbons & Rainbows, Blackheath

Katoomba was slightly warmer, and we enjoyed the equally warm hospitality at The Stitching Post.  This labyrinth is home to an extensive collection of needlecrafts, guaranteed to please even the fussiest of visitor.  We had 3 cars this trip – don’t you just know that we would make use of all that boot space!

We were on schedule for lunch in Leura; not a good day with lots of work going on in town to get a new Woolworths ready for its opening the following day.  Still, we worked around the chaos managing to spend a little time in Picklemouse Corner before hitting the road again down for Springwood.

 
There was quite a nice collection of modern fabrics in Sew & Save and an extensive selection of sewing supplies to replenish our dwindling haberdashery stocks.  A nearby second-hand bookstore temporarily side-tracked us with bargains but our hectic schedule (and bossy tour organiser) demanded we move on downhill to Post Office Patchwork at Glenbrook where we made a few interesting purchases.  Isn’t it amazing that no two stores are ever the same.  We were in need of a break and sipped a coffee in a nearby café.  The homemade cakes were too good to miss too!!

Finally, we scooted off the M4 just in time to catch the last 20 minutes at Penrith store PatchworkHeart owned by Michelle Marvig.  (Sadly that store has also closed.)  Our day was over in no time, our bags heavy with goodies and quite a few bargains. We had a great day and can recommend the Western Quilt Trail to anyone looking for a textile treat or two.

(Ed Update: I've been told that Blackheath's Ribbon and Rainbows has since re-opened.  That's good news!)

Not Quilting. Shopping.....

Quilt (or Guilt) Tripping No#1

(5 Mar 2011)

The Randwick girls were inspired to spend a day together browsing (and not necessarily buying).  Sure!  Like early explorers keen to find fertile ground outside the city’s confines, we planned a trip in early March out to the historic Hawkesbury region.  First stop though, was coffee, before we surrounded ourselves in the sophisticated delights of Killara Village Quilts.  We did have a slow start but, following B’s lead, managed to come away with some Japanese delights, a few antique reproductions to bulk out our stashes, a pattern or two and vague plans to one day do a class perhaps.  Lofty ambitions indeed!

From here we headed west to Richmond where this fortunate and bucolic community manages to support two quilt shops… Oh, to be so lucky!  Our first stop was Fortunes & Fairies where we acquired a liking for William Morris before moving over to Diane’s Country Rose and her collection of Kaffe Fasset.  Any resolve we may have had to show restraint had collapsed by now; any sign of weakness largely due to our earlier caffeine fix wearing off.

After a brief stop at Y’s brother’s house in Windsor (where we raided a bountiful fig tree), we moved on to nearby Patchwork Addiction.  We had time for a quick, late lunch at a nearby café, and then moved on in to scour PA for stash builders.  I managed to find an amazing New York City photo montage which was perfect for my NYC memory quilt, now on the cutting board. 

We dallied too long and had to cut short our trip. Sadly, we would not have time to visit Dural.  Instead, we zoomed down the M7 to make Craft Depot at Pennant Hills.  Phew, 30 minutes to spare before closing time.  “Hardly a challenge!” we said in unison.

Later, our acquisitions were reviewed over a wine and dinner in Coonanbarra, at Wahroonga before heading home to pat our fabrics before introducing them to the rest of the gang.  Now, to hide that melting plastic!  It will need a little time to recover…..

Sadly, no photographic evidence exists of our “voyages bonhomie”.  Maybe it’s better that way!  At least we took one over dinner.  And we're not too exhausted.

Enjoying early dinner after a hard day shopping

Herding Cats

Can it be my last post was in May about an event in January.....I will simply have to do better!  Not to worry, we are home now with internet at our fingertips 24/7 - and a Bernina sitting, all lonely, out in the garden shed. 

The Kookies were the first to welcome us back and I suspect there's a baby in a nest somewhere - hopefully safe.  One of several babies on the island.  How things change in only a few months.

So, it's back to the keyboard and keeping thoughts contained is a bit like herding cats. 

Angra do Heroismo, Terceira. 
One of many amazing stops on our visit through the Azores