Fern Frenzy

Native ferns

South Island Bush

The West Coast

www.tuataratours.co.nz

Going Bush

Top: Truman Track; Centre: Bealey Track; Bottom: Cave Creek Track. Dec. 2008. Ajr

For the last four days I have been immersed in the lush greenery of the West Coast. I’m not a big hiker of note but, having invested heavily in a pair of expensive tramping boots, I decided to test them – just three days after pulling them from their tissue-lined box. Everyone had wise words to say about that foolish move but I’m pleased to announce that my boots and I bonded instantly and there wasn’t a blister in sight. I took on the West Coast Trail, a fantastic combination of walks over six or seven well known West Coast walks, organised by Tuatara Tours of Christchurch. Starting at Castle Hill in Arthur’s Pass and working our way steadily through limestone escarpments, beech forests, tussock lands, alpine bush, native rainforest and sub-tropical nikau forests, we ended up in the Porarari River Valley, north of Punakaiki – wet but otherwise no worse for the wear. The best bit for me, was the chance to exercise my camera finger. I came home with over 700 photographs and am now steadily culling them. There will be more! www.tuataratours.co.nz

First Prize For Window Dressing

Plume, Christchurch. Nov. 2008. Ajr

The team at Plume fashion store in High Street, Christchurch ALWAYS have the most fabulous window displays. Their 'crowd' of suspended mannequins are among my favourite and most photographed. Now they've gone all out to create best Christmas display in town - using graffiti art. Three cheers for imagination!

Billboard of the Week

http://www.untouchedworld.com/

One of our best exports

Christchurch Arts Centre

Pink People

Melbourne, Australia. Nov. 2008. Ajr

HOT PINK hair seems to be all the rage in Melbourne.

Anchored

YMCA Building, Docklands, Melbourne. Nov. 2008. Ajr

I know nothing about this anchor suspended off the YMCA building in Melbourne's Docklands Precinct, but I'm assuming it's an artwork, created by someone? It's sometimes hard to tell in Melbourne because the powers-that-be seem to consider naming public artworks a needless frivolity.

Small Moments of Beauty

Pastel Roses

All in a Spin

Spoiled For Choice

Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne. Nov. 2008. Ajr

You're never short of a good deli in Melbourne - there are hundreds of them; and if you want a concentrated choice, head for Queen Victoria Market, where temptations abound.

Behind Bars

The Old Gaol, Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia. Nov. 2008. Ajr

It was a blistering hot 36-degrees the day I drove from Melbourne to Castlemaine and after exploring the town, I was keen to investigate the old town gaol (if only to escape the heat), which is now open to the public - or so they say! I was most annoyed when they wouldn't let me in. I can only assume I look far too honest for my own good. Needless to say I left the building hot, bothered and very much in the mood for committing a crime.

Cool Cars - 29

www.paulkelly.co.nz

One Bright Blue 1971 Chevrolet Corvette 454 Stingray - spotted in the Paul Kelly Motors Classic Car Collection, Christchurch

The Continuing Cafe Crawl

Centre Place, Melbourne, Australia. Nov. 2008. Ajr

There was something about the way the light was catching this man's hat that sent me into a little camera frenzy. I think I took about twenty photos of him before I realised I was becoming annoying.

A Merry Billboard Christmas

Dec.2008. Ajr

From Christchurch

Riverside Architecture

Yarra's Edge, Melbourne, Australia. Nov. 2008. Ajr

Every time I return to Melbourne the Yarra River banks seem to have sprouted more and more high rise. I wonder who inhabits all these apartments?

Small Moments of Beauty

Brown Eggs

Nesting in Cardboard

Another Church........

St Peter's Anglican Church, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch. Oct. 2008. Ajr

I've always been drawn to the hefty stone architecture of St Peter's at Church Corner in Upper Riccarton, so I was thrilled when, on the day I went prowling around the church looking for a good photograph, the caretaker came arrived (I presume he was the caretaker) and unlocked the door for me so I could look inside. I'm not an especially relgious person but I do love church architecture and I have to admit, there is something very serene about being the only person inside an empty church. When the sun trickles in through beautiful coloured stained glass windows it somehow sets my imagination free.

A Sign For Sunday

Kyneton, Victoria, Australia. Nov. 2008. Ajr

Arrrhhhhh....the dilemma of choice!

Traditional Food Gathering

Eel Catching, Waihao marae. Nov. 2008. Ajr

Last week when I was down at Waihao Marae, near the coast just south of Waimate, I managed to get this photograph (right) of a traditional Hinaki - or eel pot. These were usually made from mangemange, a climbing vine. The eels would swim into the narrowing ‘tunnel’ of the hinaki and not be able to get out again. Eel – members of the Anguillidae family and known as tuna to Maori – live in streams and lakes and form an important part of traditional Maori diet. The one shown in the left photograph, ended up as part of our lunch – served as a garnish for a very tasty tomato soup.

One Bronze Dog

Melbourne, Australia. Nov. 2008. Ajr

I have a certain inexplicable fondness for this strange little fellow.

Maybe it's about his studded collar?

Or his Hanging-Out tongue?

He stands near City Square on Collins Street

In Central Melbourne

Seagulls - A Tryptych

Gulls on the Wing

Waihao River Mouth

Waimate District

Nov.2008. Ajr

Infinite Strangeness

Hot on the tail of my entry about Wunderkammer and Fiona Hall’s Force Field comes Wunderbox. (I’m beginning to feel like I’ve slipped through a crack in my verandah and landed in the 16th century). It’s now showing at Christchurch Art Gallery – a series of works drawn from the gallery collection, which act as perfect partners for the wonderful whackiness of Fiona Hall’s show next door. In short, it’s a comment on collecting, based on the 16th and 17th century ‘wunder cabinet’ concept – “an exhibition of bell jars, boxes, cabinets, dolls, display cases, two monkeys, several bees, hundreds of hooks and one miniature coffin……..of secretive spaces, model worlds, fictitious collections and idiosyncratic trophies by contemporary New Zealand artists.” All ‘very me!’ I loved it and came home with my fingers twitching with the urge to make things – and to stuff other things in jars. It’s not as if I’m not surrounded by surplus visual paraphernalia after all and putting some of it in jars and under glass domes might at least keep the dust at bay. (I think I'm a frustrated museum-keeper). The (much-reduced) work shown above is Neil Pardington’s superb photograph, “Land and Marine Mammals Store (tryptych) Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand. 2006-2007. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery. Purchased 2007. www.christchurchartgallery.org

A Slice of Hawke's Bay Luxury...

Greenhill Lodge, Hawke's Bay. Dec. 2008. Images Supplied.

I’m a sucker for an old homestead, so Greenhill Lodge in Hawke’s Bay is right up my alley. Designed by architect, George Sollitt (1834-1912) it features a grand three-storey central viewing turret, where lodge owners, Neil Barber and Craig Hay have created a small sitting room complete with telescope. The homestead was built by Archibald McLean and was started in 1897. Its many gorgeous features include the grand, wood-panelled billiard room, elaborate hand-painted lead lights, elegant carved archways and now, five elaborate guest suites, each with its own ensuite. The old stables have been converted into a gymnasium and a pool awaits. Greenhill was owned by six generations of the same family and their most esteemed guest was Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother in 1958. The property finally sold in 2001 to Neil and Craig, who have established it as one of Hawke’s Bay’s star properties. www.greenhill.co.nz

Sky-High Living

Eureka Tower (left), Southbank, Melbourne, Australia. Nov.2008. Ajr

During my recent time in Melbourne I think I photographed the gorgeous Eureka Tower from every direction. Designed by the Melbourne practice, Fender Katsalidis Architects, it opened in 2006 as the second tallest all-apartment building in the world…beaten only by Q1 Tower on the Gold Coast. It stands 297m/975feet tall beside the Yarra River in Melbourne’s Southbank area and it has 550 apartments within its sleek form. Fender Katsalidis have a super-cool website featuring some stunning architectural work and photography – check it out at www.fkaustralia.com

Cabinets and Curiosities

Yesterday I visited the Christchurch Art Gallery to take a look at “Force Field,” an amazing exhibition of work by major Australian artist, Fiona Hall. Sadly, the two photographs I’ve posted here in no way illustrate how truly incredible it is as a body of work. The intricate workmanship (especially in the beaded exhibits) and the detail in each piece is unbelievable; the concepts and ideas are wondrous and thought-provoking; the displays – with their entanglement of shadows, reflections and lights – quite stunning. I was transfixed. It was like walking into some twisted little private museum where every exhibit is slightly left of centre, where some mad scientist has been fiddling with Nature to extraordinary effect. I especially loved Tender – a breathtakingly beautiful collection of birds’ nests created from shredded American banknotes. As someone who has collected birds’ nests, I was in heaven. Two huge glass cabinets contained an amazing array of nests from multiple species – each replicated in shredded money. The glass on one cabinet was printed with the Latin names of each species the nests were modelled on; the second cabinet was printed with scrolls of numbers - the serial numbers of over 3,000 one dollar notes that Hall shredded to create the work. I was dazzled. I came away wondering what Fiona Hall might be like in person - for her intense, detailed and exquisitely perfect works seem to hint at a degree of obsession. Not that that should be seen as a criticism – I can be a little obsessive myself. But oh for a glimpse inside her mind!!! The works illustrated above are: Top: “Holdfast 2007” tin and aluminium; Collection of the Artist. Image courtesy of the artist and Roslyn Oxley, 9 Gallery, Sydney. Bottom: “Cell Culture” Detail 2001-2002. Glass beads, silver wire, Tupperware. South Australian Government Grant 2002. Art Gallery of South Australia. Image Courtesy of the artist and Roslyn Oxley, 9 Gallery, Sydney.

www.christchurchartgallery.org

Barry's Provocative Unpublished Minutes - 39

"Beavering Away."

Here's another in the ongoing series of inkjet prints from one of New Zealand's most highly regarded printmakers.

For others in the series click on CLEAVIN in the label line below.

Ceramic Celebration

I’ve just caught wind of an exciting 2009 touring exhibition that, sadly, is not coming to Christchurch. If the preliminary photographs I’ve been sent are anything to go by, “Len Castle: Mountain to the Sea” looks to be a spectacular show. Organised by the Hawke’s Bay Museum & Art Gallery, it opens in Whangarei on December 14th this year and travels to Auckland, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Nelson and Invercargill in 2009. It presents a stunning collection of Castle’s ceramic work – approximately 60 works from his Volcanic and Sea Secrets series that he has been developing since the 1990s – in partnership with photographic images of the landscape that inspired his works, plus poetry by ten leading New Zealand poets. Castle, one of our best known ceramic artists, has been photographing our rugged volcanic landscapes since the 1960s and I expect it will be quite something to see his dramatic images in unison with the spectacular ceramic works that mimic elements of the land.

www.hbmag.co.nz

Supplied Images: Top: Tongariro Emerald Lake c.1985. Photo by Len Castle; Centre: Len Castle 2008, Photo by Chris Hoult; Bottom: Sea Secret, 2005, Earthenware. Photo by David Frost.

Victorian Vines

Hanging Rock Vineyard, Woodend Victoria, Australia. Image Supplied.

I love this view of the sun-burnt grape vines at Hanging Rock Winery, near Woodend, where I stayed recently. As unrelenting and brutal as the sun can be in Australia, I do love the deep blue skies that come with it. And it's got to be good for wine production. Hanging Rock Vineyard is close to the Macedon Ranges, one of the coolest grape growing regions of Australia and they produce an impressive array of award-winning red and white wines. http://www.hangingrock.com.au/

Cool Cars - 28

One Turquoise 1967 Chev Sedan Impala - Spotted in Chewton, Victoria, Australia

For others in this series click on Cool Cars in the label line below this post.

Crossing the Divide

Paintings by Kathryn Madill; Images supplied by Guy Frederick.

When I walked into City Art this morning to see Kathryn Madill’s latest exhibition “Crossing the Divide,” I felt like I had fallen down a rabbit hole and landed in a ‘wonderland’ where I might, at any minute, have encountered the mythical Alice. Kathryn’s paintings are moody and intense – and peopled with follow-the-leader trails of broody people accompanied by dogs, ducks, owls and angel wings. Beautiful and compelling yet somehow unsettling. And, in one of those special synchronititous moments, a beautiful shadow on the gallery wall in the shape of an arched ecclesiastical window - directly over one of the paintings of a white angel. If you’re in Christchurch, you have until December 20 to see this lovely collection. www.cityart.co.nz

Shoe Lust

Black Shoe

By Prada

Just For Anna in Auckland

:-)

I Hope you've noted the cool ceramic heel

Where Graffiti Rules.....

Union Lane, Melbourne, Australia. Nov. 2008. Ajr

This is Union Lane – one of the many narrow lanes in Melbourne Central Business District that has been generously embellished by colourful street art – WITH the approval of Melbourne City authorities. Several of the lanes are even mentioned in city tourist guides. I wish something like that could happen here in Christchurch……where everyone seems to be terrified of the free spirits who can create such amazing work; either that or they’re unable to tell the difference between good street art and mindless tagging.

Shoe Shuffle

Black Shoe

By Lipstik

Footwear Freaks should click on Shoes in the label line below

Introducing Hong Kong's Salon de Ning.......

The Peninsula Hong Kong Rolls Royce Fleet. Image Supplied

Ever since it opened its doors on December 11, 1928, The Peninsula Hong Kong has been welcoming the rich and famous from around the world. In a modern city ‘bejewelled and bedazzled’ by contemporary architecture, ‘The Pen’s’ sedate 1920s style had endured to become an internationally known and loved landmark; and thousands of visitors to Hong Kong have walked through its famous lobby, or stopped for their famous traditional afternoon tea. The last time I was in Hong Kong, I planned to do just that but time ran out – or, if I’m truly honest, the money ran out. Now there is something else to look forward to…….. as of December 6th The Peninsula opens its super-chic ‘Shanghai Deco’ style lounge, Salon de Ning – a sumptuous spot that is set to become one of Hong Kong’s most-talked-about new bars..........

Top: L'Afrique Room; Bottom: The Bailar Room. Images Supplied By Ink Publicity

Inspired by the 1930s Shanghai socialite, world traveller and international hostess, “Madame Ning,” who presided over salons in her eclectic residences around the world, Salon de Ning is a seductive, intimate fusion of east and west, antique and modern.

From the Moroccan lanterns, wood-carved ostrich sculpture to lions’ heads and leopard skin-look walls of L’Afrique Room to the sultry glamour of the Bailar Room and the sexy intimacy of the Boudoir Room with its Lalique crystal door handles, Salon de Ning has something for everyone. There’s even – rather surprisingly - a Ski Room which pays homage to Swiss Chalet style. All are designed by Henry Leung, the Hong Kong-based design director of Chhada, Siembieda, Leung Limited; and all are framed by giant gilt picture frames, giving visitors the illusion of walking into a photograph.

I think all this calls for a change of plans ….I’ll definitely be shelving the idea of afternoon tea. I rather fancy Salon de Ning as a decadent alternative...... I can just see myself lolling about in a room lined with 'leopard skin' being waited on by staff in chic uniforms custommade by Hong Kong fashion designer, Ranee Kwok.

http://www.peninsula.com/

PS: And let's not forget the light refreshments!

The signature Ning Sling, which combines Absolut Mandarin and lychee Liquer, garnished with mint leaves and lychee; and/or Salon de Ning Rose Champagne, an exclusive label created by Deutz of France.

Uncommon Senses - The Collectors

"The Living Room Project" Lee Mingwei. Image courtesy Govett-Brewster Gallery

Taiwanese-born, New York-based artist, Lee Mingwei is all for inter-personal exchange inspired by ordinary human events and activities; and in his first New Zealand exhibition at New Plymouth’s Govett-Brewster Gallery – “Uncommon Senses” – he presents two projects that include the participation of Taranaki locals. “The Living Room Project” (pictured) becomes the setting for one of my favourite kind of people – COLLECTORS! Assorted Taranaki collectors will ‘take the stage’ in The Living Room, each showing off their collectables for a two-week period. The collectors also become hosts/guides for a day, sharing their passion for collecting and showing off their respective gatherings of chosen objects to the wider public. Great concept; I love it! Included in the project will be collections of: Masks and carvings from Micronesia, West Africa and Canada; Tea cosies; Meccano; Taranaki transferware; Indian saris, shawls, scarves and brassware from the Arabic states; LPs and Posters; and Maori Potatoes. Lee’s exhibition kicks off on December 6th and runs through to March 16, 2009. If you’re a collector keen to see any one of the above collections, go to http://www.govettbrewster.com/ to check the dates for individual collections. The architecturally-minded meanwhile, might enjoy Lee’s second show, “Nomad Exquisite,” which showcases his abiding interest in architectural space, inspired by the work of Japanese architect, Tadao Ando and Ch’an Buddhist aesthetics.

Modern Classics

BISON, Howey Place, Melbourne, Australia. Nov. 2008 Ajr

I discovered a terrific shop when I was in Melbourne recently – BISON Homeware, which was founded by principal designer, Brian Tunks. According to the little leaflet I picked up in the store about “Caring for Your Bison’ (and doesn’t that conjure up some comical images?), Brian trained in classics and archaeology at the Australian National University, which is where he developed his love of ceramics. While studying ancient Greco-Roman excavations in the Middle East, he unearthed a wonderful array of artefacts – everything from decorative vessels and domestic bowls to pottery shards. It’s a wonderful background for someone now producing a colourful, sturdy range of Australian stoneware – chubby little vessels that have a feel of strength and durability. It’s easy to imagine them as the artefacts of the future – and I do like the fanciful notion of someone digging up my porridge bowl in the back garden 1,000 years from now. I wonder what else they’ll find – and what they’ll make of me when they study ‘the shards of my life.’ www.bisonhome.com