Small Moments of Beauty

One Light

A Myriad of Reflections

A Wavering of Shadows

Leaf Green

Linwood Avenue

Christchurch

January 2010 Ajr.

Small Moments of Greed

Strawberry Cupcakes

Lightly Dusted

Iced in Pink www.cucpcakecollection.co.nz

StreetscapeNZ - 65

Cumberland Street

Dunedin

November 2009 Ajr

Taking a Punt

I arrived on the Avon River bank here in Christchurch, at just the right moment last weekend. The rain was just beginning to fall and as I debated whether or not to leave my camera behind, this group of visitors came gliding along the river, complete with umbrellas. No shelter for the punter but the passengers seemed happy enough.

Billboard of the Week

I like this fun approach the Family Planning Association has taken to advertising safe sex.

Turn Me On.

Riccarton Mall.

January 2010. Ajr

Colouring a Cathedral

These two photographs pretty much sum up my approach to life - all or nothing!

In this case, I've gone the all or nothing way with colour in Christchurch's magnificent Cathdral interior, giving in to a little flight of fancy on PhotoShop. I've photographed the Cathedral interior many times before and you can see some of those images if you click on Christchurch Cathedral in the label line below this post. There's something about church architecture that keeps drawing me in and while I normally take a fairly 'regular' approach to photographing them, it's fun to let loose every so often and completely defy expectations.

Let there be Light

Lighting the way, up the escalators at Ricarton Mall.

When I'm shopping I find malls abominable places. I lose my patience quickly and leave as soon as possible. When I have spare time in one hand and a camera in the other, I'm prepared to linger - for as long as it takes - in the interests of snapping something interesting. I find a good photograph is not always where you expect it to be.

Barry's Provocative Unpublished Minutes - 79

"Still Life With Musical Accompaniment - Opus 1"

From 'Tales from the Overloaded Ark' 2010.

An aircraft carrier, dinosaurs and CDs - coming together under the creative shepherding of one of New Zealand's leading printmakers. For others in this series, click on Cleavin in the label line below.

Upstairs.

Another in my photographic series on staircases.

Click on Staircases in the label line below to see others that have taken my fancy.

Shoe Shuffle

Inky Black Stiletto

Merivale, Christchurch Click on Shoes in the label line below if you're a fan

StreetscapeNZ - 64

Tolaga Bay, East Cape

North Island

May 2009. Ajr

Cool Cars - 67

One Bright Yellow 1968 Volkswagon Beetle - Spotted at The Arts Centre, Christchurch

On Yer Bike

A Sepia Scene

Christchurch Arts Centre

Among the Columns

Christchurch

January 2010. Ajr

SOFA in Soft Focus

This has been a week of photographic posts - as opposed to anything wordy and more interesting. I blame the sore leg. I can't walk for long periods and I can't sit for long periods; hence I have resorted to the 'quick-fix' approach to blogging. Nonetheless, I hope some of you will find my photos a little pleasing. This one was taken at Christchurch Arts Centre - SOFA Art Gallery - last weekend and continues my preoccupation with architectural forms and art gallery signs.

A Gallery Re-Named

And on the subject of art galleries, signs and photography, I like the wit who altered this sign at Joanathan Smart Gallery, here in Christchurch, removing the 'm' and adding an apostrophe to allow Jonathan to 'take possession' of his own gallery. Very smart.

From the Food Files

One Fat Golden Brioche

@

Le Cafe, Christchurch Arts Centre

Barry's Provocative Unpublished Minutes - 78

"The Great Nor'West Cycleway in the Sky - 1" Our favourite printmaker turns his attention to that famous Canterbury phenomenon, the Nor'west winds - and cyclists - with entertaining results. You can see others in this ongoing print series by clicking on Cleavin in the label line below this post.

Here's That Light Again...........

......'Coral/Floral' by New Zealand designer, David Trubridge.

En masse in a Christchurch retail outlet.

www.davidtrubridge.com You can see this lighting design photographed in a myriad of different settings by clicking on David Trubridge in the label line below this post.

Playing with Shadows

No trip to Christchurch Arts Centre is complete without a batch of photographs and no batch of photographs is complete without me playing about with at least one of them. I took these black and white shots last weekend, my attention caught by the interplay of shadows and architeture. I started playing around with colour additions and although I don't normally favour bright orange, I quite like the graduated drama it creates here.

An Art Post(er)

I like multiples of things. Can't seem to help myself. If one image can turn into six variations on a theme I'm all the happier for it. In this case the multiple overlay of art exhibition posters spotted around the streets of Christchurch.

Cool Cars - 66

One Black and Pearl Irridescent Apricot 1955 Chevrolet - Spotted in Los Angeles, California. These images sent to me by my 'official' Los Angeles Car Spotter, my brother, Murray B Macy, who resides there. He caught up with the owner of this '55 Chevvy - a one armed man known as Lefty, hence licence plate - just across the road from his office.

StreetscapeNZ - 63

Colombo Street & Bealey Avenue Intersection.

Christchurch, South Island.

November 2009. Ajr

Corrugated Iron - Unexpected Beauties

Following on from yesterday's post (below) about Wood's Mill in Addington, I thought I'd say again how much I love corrugated iron as a building material - and, as it turns out, as something of an art material.

I took these photographs of graffiti on the old, corrugated iron grain and storage sheds that sit beside the railway lines. I love the way the iron has aged, rusted and buckled and how the applied paint has settled into the grooves to create unexpected textures and dimensions. I spend hours in places like this, photographing the random markings of phantom graffiti artists.....and what is it about the connection between railways and graffiti? I've noticed that that's an international partnership. The two just seem to go hand-in-hand.

Of Mills and Silos

It’s true that throughout New Zealand many fine old buildings have been demolished, that much of our architectural history (short as it may be) has been obliterated. That said, many fine examples remain excellent condition and many more are being restored. One set of Christchurch buildings that always stand out for me – for a number of reasons – is Wood’s Mill in Addington. Ever since I came to Christchurch (almost 20 years ago), I have been intrigued by it and I’ve watched a number of attempts to give it new life falter miserably. The main complex (above) was designed by Christchurch architect J.C. Maddison (1850-1923) and was officially opened in 1891. William Densley Wood had founded Wood Brothers Limited, Mills & Grain Merchants back in 1856 and the above structure was a follow-on from his original mill in Riccarton. In 1891 the flour mill was powered by steam, lit by electricity and serviced by the railway line it sits beside. Architects Sidney and Alfred Luttrell were commissioned to design a major extension in 1913 – the tall, brick grain silo (pictured below); and storage buildings (also below) were added in 1924. By 1936, Wood’s Mill had the largest output of flour in the South Island – 33 sacks per hour. Wood Brothers sold the mill in 1970 after four generations of the family had contributed 114 years of history to the city.

Since then, it has been through a number of ownerships, all of them starting off with grand restoration schemes that have, for the most part, faltered. The complex – or parts of it - has been used as a gymnasium, an exhibition space, a home to small businesses, a bakery and a theatre company. There was also a plan, in 1989, to convert it into a film and television production village for the South Island (which never got off the ground); and there have been at least three attempts to converts parts of the complex into apartments. One or two of these have succeeded in part. Four apartments were created initially and in 1993 another owner added another ten apartments. I’m not sure if these are occupied or not. When I drove by to take these photographs last week the place looked empty and abandoned. Certainly, if there is anyone living there they are keeping a low profile. Oh to have the money to do something spectacular with a handsome set of structures like these.

A Name Change

inform contemporary jewellery in High Street, Christchurch has re-branded.

It's now called The National.

A place of dreamy collections of handcrafted jewellery by some of New Zealand's top jewellers.

www.informjewellery.co.nz

Barry's Provocative Unpublished Minutes - 77

"Arise Sir Peter."

A New Year's Honour thought from one of New Zealand's top printmakers. To see others in this ongoing series, click on Cleavin in the label line below this post. You won't regret it. It will give you an insight into the highly active creative mind of a leading artist.

Signs and Shop-Tops

Don't ask me to explain either of these photographs.

Both simply slot into my passion for signs and colour.

CINEMA in Hokitika

Graffiti in Sydenham, Christchurch

From the Food Files

Banana Tart with Feijoa and Vodka Sorbet

An Edible Delicacy

By Chef Ben Batterbury

True South @ The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments

Queenstown

www.therees.co.nz

Southern Comfort

New accommodation continues to spring up in Queenstown like mushrooms on a damp day. One of the highlights I discovered on last year's Frommers New Zealand research trip, was The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments, that sits on Frankton Road, with spectacular views over Lake Wakatipu to the Remarkables mountain range. It is a spot so quintessentially Queenstown that you'd be silly to miss it. The suites and apartments are modern and roomy and every one of them has that same memorable view. I always play down views as a travel guide writer. It's my belief that most tourists are out exploring all day and by the time they get back to their rooms, it's usually dark and they can't appreciate the view anyway. I ate my words at The Rees. It's one stay where the view really counts! www.therees.co.nz

If you'd like to see other New Zealand hotels, lodges and B&Bs I've written about on this blog, click on accommodation in the label line below this post.

A French Market

Christchurch's French Market started life in an obscure, hard-to-find location in SOL Square. In what I can only assume to be a bid for higher visibility, it has shifted to Poplar Lane and you'd have to be blind to miss the proliferation of red, blue and white signs that point the way. It's a good thing the signs are there, because again, they have opted for the most out-of-way part of the laneways - perhaps it's more sheltered there?

I've visited this market several times over the last year and I must say that I always come away disappointed. Apart from a few crusty sticks of bread, there's little that I can find that is genuinely French. Herbs grow anywhere; imported scarves (not French) can be purchased from a shop; whitebait is much more iconically Kiwi than it is French; and we can all make our own muffins, or buy them at any cafe. In its old location there were at least French macroons and French antiques. I wonder what happened to them? I think it's all a bit of a missed opportunity really.