I usually run with a theme. This week, continuing my celebration of Spring we are going to Floriade. Floriade is held in Commonwealth Park a short walk from the city centre. It is a beautiful location at any time of year. There will be photos of flowers of course, but I am concentrating on the art and quirky fun that is dotted around the site.
Before I start: Kylie visited Floriade recently. There is always a dwarf painting competition. Kylie took an innovative approach and you can see the fun HERE. Big smiles.
And yes, there will be a myriad of photos in this post too. And probably next week when I revert to the floral theme.
Some of the art is permanent. Some of it will disappear with Floriade. I don't like or understand all of it, but I love that it is there.
This is Resting Place of the Dragonfly by Mary Kayser.
The kangaroo and her joey are permanent fixtures. Children love them - and they are not the only ones.
Many of the garden beds have designs planted in them. In years gone by there were ramps so you could see them. The ramps have gone and have been replaced with a ferris wheel. So of course we went up. For which I deserve brownie points. It was a very windy day.
Floriade is a lot more commercial than Tulip Top Gardens. You can buy anything from food and drink to clothing, expensive sculptures, jewellery, soap, chutneys and more. There is very little for sale that relates to gardens.
Just the same, we go every year and will continue to do so. And next week I will show you more of the gardens from this years display.
I hope next week to also have a blog linkage worked out so that those of you who join Sunday Selections can link up and have your posts seen. If anyone has any hints I would be grateful.
Here's to a bright, beautiful and safe week ahead.
so much art near you, I am envious, thanks for posting
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: My city has a lot of public art largely thank to a Chief Minister we had some years ago. I am very grateful to him.
DeleteVery interesting displays. Love it.
ReplyDeleteCaterina: We enjoyed it too.
Deletethecontemplativecat here.Wow. So utterly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: It runs for a month and is well worth a visit.
DeleteYour spring is bright and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe Happy Whisk: It is and I like the way the city showcases Spring.
DeleteI enjoy seeing the art, too, even if I don't understand all of it, so thanks for the photos. I don't know if I could bring myself to go on a ferris wheel. It's been a long time since I went on any kind of a ride. Rides for toddlers are probably more my speed.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie Junebug: It isn't a big Ferris Wheel. Just as well for my wimpy self.
DeleteI haven't been on a ferris wheel in a long time. Good for you going up on it. I loved your pictures.
ReplyDeleteMary Kirkland: Thank you.
DeleteGorgeous installations and flora. I am a sucker for flowers in a wheelbarrow as well. Thank you for sharing this bounty. x
ReplyDeleteBea: There were LOTS of those wheelbarrows dotted around the site - and I took lots of photos of them.
DeleteI always love the peek into your corner of the world. Those skylarks are wonderful, and yes, you deserve kudos for going up in the wind!
ReplyDeleteDJan: Thank you. I hope you are fully recovered from the covid beast.
DeleteRiver Fairchild - Wow… so much to see there! I would love to wander around and take in the sights. Thank you for sharing the bounty with us. I’m so impressed with your city and everything it offers!
ReplyDeleteThe weeks keep shooting by. I lose track of the blur of days, only stopping to remember to touch base with you on your weekend blog, so thanks for putting a stop sign up for me. :-) I hope you’re feeling well-ish and hanging onto spring for a bit longer before the summer heat descends on you. Hugs to you and say hi to the furry ones for me.
River Fairchild: I know what you mean about the blur of days. I am grateful you stay in contact. Huge hugs and purrs from both furry monsters.
DeleteI think you deserve a medal for going on a ferris wheel on a windy day! There is something about the dandelion puff (at least that's what I think it is) that keeps me going back to look at it again. And, of course, I love the kangaroo and joey.
ReplyDeleteKim: I thought of dandelion puff too. I liked it, but from memory couldn't even think about purchasing it at the price they were asking. The kanga and the joey have been and are loved by many.
DeleteIt's certainly a good view from the ferris wheel. I well remember the kangaroo and joey sculpture from our visit to Floriade. The sculptor died in 2022, just on 100 years old.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: Thank you for educating me about that sculpture. I hope they knew just how much it was loved - and yes, the view from the Ferris wheel is good. And different. I do miss the ramps we used to have though.
DeleteLove the metal blossoms, and the natural clothing.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: There was something for quite a lot of us to like wasn't there?
DeleteThe clothing…love it. Art all around is my idea of a perfect environment!
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: My perfect environment would have less shops, but I am still glad to go to Floriade each year.
DeleteI particular love the dresses and well done on the Ferris. Last time I was on one I freaked out and resolved never again. Age. I used to love the thrill.
ReplyDeleteFlowers are glorious and seen from above breathtaking.
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: That seen from above perspective is great isn't it? I still miss the ramps. Not as dramatic but you could still smell the blooms.
DeleteThe parrot head is really good and I love the wheelbarrows with tulips. Love the rainbow collection of paddle boats too. I don't always like the art I see but do admire the skills and talents needed to produce it. Kudos for braving the Ferris Wheel. I love them myself.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I really liked the cockatoo head - though the cost was in the thousands. I just remembered that its title was 'Frequent Flyer'. Like you I appreciate art and am grateful for those with the requisite skills and talents.
DeleteIf someone were wearing the flower dress I would politely ask if I could smell the flowers.
ReplyDeleteMike: I wonder what the response would be?
Deletekangaroo and her joey are very dear
ReplyDeleteCloudia: They are. And much loved by generations.
DeleteI am delighted that Blogger is letting me leave comments again, because I didn't want to miss Floriade. Good for you going up in the Ferris wheel. I am afraid of heights, so I applaud you. Some of the art I understood,. some IL didn't. However, I enjoyed every photo you shared. Beautiful sculptures and lovely art. I especially liked the wheel barrows with tulips.
ReplyDeleteBleubeard and Elizabeth: I am thrilled you are able to visit and comment again - and hope you will be able to visit again next week when there will be another Floriade post.
DeleteYou guys sure do know how to have a good time! Many smiles!!
ReplyDeleteBill: I am very glad to make you smile.
DeleteI’m crossing my fingers this doesn’t float off in space. I’m finding blogs not appearing (on my reader) and comments not appearing on others blogs.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, what a great day you had….I’m living vicariously through the pictures you post each week. I wonder where the enormous tortoise will end up as well as what I thought was a green jumping croc but now looks like ‘a metal leaf’
Cathy: I have similar problems with blogs disappearing from my reading list temporarily. Disappearing comments generally mean they have gone to spam and most people rescue them quickly.
DeleteI wondered about the tortoise too - and you are right. It is a metal leaf.
All is wonderful, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are game going up on the wheel, good on you.
Margaret D: The Ferris Wheel is fairly wimpy, but the windy day made it a bit anxious making.
DeleteNow, Sue, far be it from me to encourage theft in your area, but if you could arrange, under cover of darkness to go down and remove the kangaroos, mother and child, and have them shipped to me, I would be very grateful. They will be allocated a place of honour in my garden. It will become a veritable corner of Australia, the talk of the town. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Postage would be prohibitive.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this part of your visit. It is always so lovely to be able to join you. The view from the Ferris wheel was worth it . I particularly liked the floral or animal based sculptures. I'm looking forward to the next instalment...
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: I liked the bird and animal based sculptures too - and understood them. Be prepared for another explosion of colour.
DeleteSome of the art is weird, but overall it's a cool festival. Certainly worth it to go on the Ferris wheel to get the view.
ReplyDeleteAlex J. Cavanaugh: The view from the Ferris Wheel is great isn't it? And it is virtually our only expenditure at this very commercial festival.
DeleteIts been long time since I was up in a ferris wheel. You got some great photos from up high though. I like the wheel barrows full of flowers. And the lake of course.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: Lots of us like those wheelbarrows packed with flowers. The lake is lovely isn't it?
DeleteGreat photo and awesome artwork. After wandering around seeing all that I would probably take a break and sit down on the turtle sculpture I saw, I hope you have a wonderful new week,
ReplyDeleteRasmaSandra: Thank you. I don't think sitting on the turtle would be encouraged. It was good to get home but we were both glad to have gone. You have a great week too.
DeleteHi EC - it looks like lots of fun with some interesting ideas to think about, as well as to see ... glad you made the ferris wheel trip - it looked to be worth it. I have to admit the wheelbarrow tub tinkled me pink ... !?!? Glad you'll keep visiting ... thanks for this range of pics - then I look forward to next week's ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHilary Melton-Butcher: The trip on the Ferris wheel is worth it. I wonder whether it operates during NightFest - which we are yet to go to.
DeleteI don't blame you for going, you can ignore the commercial and just enjoy the beauty, and it is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure i could have gone up in the Ferris Wheel.
What a nice idea, having a link-up! If you go with LinkyTools, the basic one is easiest, it's the only one i know how to use and it's enough.
messymimi: Thank you. We do manage to avoid most of the commercial aspect though I suspect it is a very expensive outing for many people. Thanks for the tip about LinkyTools. I will explore further.
DeleteWhat pleasure for my eyes. Especially the ‘leaves, flowers and branches’ dress caught attention.
ReplyDeleteSean Jeating: There was a LOT to catch attention. Not only my legs but my eyes (and brain) was tired by the end of the day.
DeleteLook at those vibrant colors and stunning sculptures. I'm glad there's camera and internet now. It's like experiencing the place without being there. I bet seeing it in person is so much better though.
ReplyDeleteLux G.: It is excellent being there - and I am happy to try and share some of the beauty.
DeleteAmiga, Sue, tu nunca te preocupes por la cantidad de fotografías que pones, y más, sin son como estas con esa explosión de colores, y esas bellezas de tapices de flores y la variedad de esculturas contemporáneas que enriquecen y decoran tan bellos jardines.
ReplyDeleteHa sido una gozada verlas, así que gracias por compartir.
Un abrazo.
Manuel:'Friend, Sue, you never worry about the amount of photographs you post, and even more so, if they are like these with that explosion of colors, and those beauties of flower tapestries and the variety of contemporary sculptures that enrich and decorate such beautiful gardens.
DeleteIt's been a joy to see them, so thanks for sharing.
A hug.'
Thank you so much. There will be many more photos next week - and even more colour.
Thank you for sharing my silliness!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you have shown the art works, I didnt take a single photo of them. We had brunch at the Walter cafe before Floriade. What a wonderful day
kylie: Himself and I both thought that your silliness was inspired. I am so very glad that you had a wonderful day.
DeleteThe art is interesting but the tulip displays steal the show!
ReplyDeletegigi-hawaii: The tulips and the other flowers delighted me. And there will be many more photos of them next week.
DeleteHow lovely to see all those flowers, such colours! A real welcome to the spring season. That was very prave of you going up in the Big Wheel, especially on a windy day.
ReplyDeleteShammickite: It was a real explosion of colour. The Big Wheel isn't very big - for which I was thankful.
DeleteFirst of all many thanks for the link to Kylie's blog, I did enjoy seeing Carl and Edna :)
ReplyDeleteSecondly, thank you for sharing all of these lovely photographs, I did enjoy them.
Can you believe as I type this it's October!!
I do hope it will be a good month for you.
All the best Jan
lowcarb team member ~Jan: Carl and Edna's adventures were great weren't they? I am glad you enjoyed my photos. October already? The year is whizzing by.
DeleteWhat a lovely way to share and celebrate the beauty of spring through art and nature! Floriade sounds like a fantastic experience, especially with all the quirky installations. I can’t wait to see the photos!
ReplyDeleteRead my new blog post on www.melodyjacob.com. Thank you!
MELODY JACOB: Floriade is good for my city's finances but it is still a treat. The next series of photos will mostly be the explosion of colour that the plants gave us.
DeleteSo pretty, the kangaroo and the joey in my book compete with the giant cockatoo head for the best piece.
ReplyDeleteYou deserve a heap of brownie points for going up that ferris wheel!
Thanks for beauty, shivers, and smiles!
Charlotte (MotherOwl): I take photographs of that kangaroo and joey every time I visit Commonwealth Park. I love them and I know others do too. I could find room for that cockatoo head as well.
DeleteWhat a wonderful time. Great colorful photos.
ReplyDeleteHena Tayeb: The park was blazing with colour - which is lovely.
DeleteYou do deserve brownie points for going up on the Ferris Wheel. I haven't been on one for years and not sure I can now, so applauding here. A delightful series from Floriade. I adored the cockatoo and kangaroo and joey, but they are all marvelous. Thank you so much for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: This is the only Ferris Wheel I have been on in decades and I will mourn when the day comes and I cannot see Floriade from about. Your favourite sculptures are probably mine too.
DeleteA ferris wheel is such a smart way to get the 'big picture', and kudos to you for braving it in a high wind! I have a love-hate relationship with ferris wheels. The height in itself doesn't bother me, but when I'm that far above the ground, I start wondering, "How well-constructed is this thing, anyway? And how old are the bolts holding it together?"
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the beautiful flowers and art!
Diane Henders: Height isn't an issue for me. I am claustrophobic rather than height averse - like you I wonder about the maintenance schedule and this Ferris Wheel is NOT new.
DeleteMore flowers next week. And an explosion of colour.
Great photos, Sue! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: Many thanks. More photos from Floriade to come. Lots more.
Delete