Thursday, May 28, 2009

ECSTASY

Bird-cherry tree (with a magpie nest)
Cherry tree
Lilacs

We have a short summer in Sweden.
When Spring comes, it comes with a vengeance, during what we call the"period of ecstasy" (between the blooming of the bird-cherry tree and the blooming of lilacs).
So many trees and bushes bloom simultaneously. Nature wants to do it all at once it seems.
It is a precious time. So short. So intensive. But oh so sweet!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

WISHFUL THINKING?


Illustration by Donovan O'Malley

ELECTRIC FASCINATION


ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS 1883
Gas lamps were on their way out.
Electricity was this new fantastic things and advertisers used the fascination with electricity to make idiotic claims.
An electric hairbrush? Not even connected to an electric cord!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

VINTAGE STREET FASHION



What is more fun than to sit on a bench and watch interesting people walk by?
If you are not fortunate enough to live in New York, where you can see plenty of original people, you can let the blog ADVANCED STYLE do it for you.
The founder Ari Cohen thinks that personal style advances with age.
His blog is one of my favorite blogs because of the stylish, original (elderly) people and the life experience and confidence these human beings radiate.
Sometimes the people who are stopped in the street and asked to pose for a photographs, express surprise and gratitude for the attention. Not surprising. Our society is over-focused on youth, and the elderly are probably not that used to being "seen".
It takes a certain interest and sensitivity for a young person to have an eye for these things and Ari Cohen and friends are to be complimented for their insights and their clever blog.

All photos from http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/

Monday, May 25, 2009

PRESSING BUSINESS

Is this a sculpture?





People who see this contraption do not immediately understand what it is meant for.
Most likely because this English made  juice press is not manufactured anymore. 
This one is called "Instant Juice press No 2"
So there must have been a smaller one and a larger one?
To the inventor, it probably seemed like something that money could be made from since it is patented. Patent 409503
The dinosaur-like shape is interesting and decorative. The shape is even registered.
Reg. Design 791406
It is made from cast aluminum and has some signs of being filed/sanded by hand.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

"THE MEETING"


This sculpture named "The Meeting" is one of many sculptures in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Many wealthy people have been generous to their home town. The largest donation ever came from Charles Felix Lindberg for the purpose of making the city beautiful.
So wherever you go in Gothenburg, you come across various kinds of sculptures.

WHAT A SPLENDID WEEK IN MAY

May 14: Renèe Fleming: Strauss Last scene from Capriccio.
May 13: Gustavo Dudamel:Beethovens 5 th Symphony.
May 12: Cecilia Bartoli: Maria Malibran - Romantic Revolution.

Imagine the world's two most famous sopranos Cecilia Bartoli and Renèe Fleming, and Gustavo Dudamel, one of the world's hottest conductors.
The same week!
In a small city like Gothenburg (Sweden).
What other city can match that for three days?

GARDEN SOCIETY: Spring




In the very city of Gothenburg lies the GARDEN SOCIETY (Tradgardsforeningen).
Here are some pictures to show the progress of spring.
Spring is late in Sweden (we are on the same latitude as Alaska and Siberia, but the Gulf Stream keeps the climate temperate by bringing warm water to our shores).
For more pictures. Click here!

DISCOVER POSEIDON





Poseidon, the imposing sculpture by Carl Milles, stands at the Center of Gotaplatsen in the city of Gothenburg Sweden.
If you ever visit Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden (population around 600.000), be sure to look all around the fountain of Poseidon. There are many interesting and strange figures to behold. Click here to see some more.