Lawrence Sellers, ‘Disconnect (2014). Seen at Brick Bay Sculpture Park. Image: Su Leslie, 2016
Not sure this needs explanation given Lignum Draco‘s theme for this week’s Daily Post Photo Challenge | unusual
Marijke de Goey, “The Mermaid” (1999). Sculpture located at Gibbs Farm Sculpture Park, Kaipara, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2015
…. when it’s a sculpture.
“My jewellery is sculpture for the body,
my sculptures are jewellery for the landscape.” — Marijke de Goey.
For me, art can bridge the gap between the mundane and the profound; the taken-for-granted “real” world and the dreams and imaginings of our souls.
Sharing secrets? Girls at the LUX Light Festival, Wellington, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
The LUX Light Festival of Wellington has ended. Over 10 nights, thousands of visitors came to watch an ever-changing play of light and dark in a series of sculptures and installations around the city.
The cinema of the washing line. Images projected onto giant petticoat and bloomers. The Light Launder, by Raysordoll, seen at the LUX Light Festival, Wellington. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
LUX. Light Festival in Wellington, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
LUX. Light Festival, Wellington, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
Daily Post Photo Challenge | evanescent
Out on the street. Couple at the LUX Festival, Wellington, NZ. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
I spent last weekend in Wellington, visiting friends and enjoying the LUX Light Festival; a free public event that attracts thousands of people onto the streets and waterfront area to enjoy clever, whimsical and creative light sculptures.
LUX is incredibly family-friendly; the works are easily accessible and there are performances, activities, street food, and a range of glow-in-the-dark merchandise (including ice-cream) to delight kids.
Visitors to LUX gather around ‘Control, No Control’ by Daniel Iregui (Iregular), Frank Kitts Park, Wellington. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
A good night out. Girls enjoying the night market at LUX, Wellington. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
On Tuesday as I waited for my flight home, news of the Manchester Arena bomb began to appear. By the time I reached Auckland, it was known that people had died, amongst them children.
With each terror attack, each mass-shooting and atrocity that occurs in the world, I struggle to comprehend how anyone can feel enough hatred and anger to knowingly kill and maim complete strangers going about their day-to-day lives.
I think of the people who rugged up and went out to enjoy street art, and of the people who dressed up and went to a pop concert; of those whose memories are of a fun night out, and those whose lives were taken or forever damaged.
Festivals, concerts, public events; these things are essential to the fabric of our communities. They build and strengthen the bonds between us though the sharing of food, music, art and fun. That they seem increasingly a target for terrorism, is worrying. If we become too afraid to go out and share in the joy and camaraderie of public events, we lose not only personal happiness, but community strength.
Yet in adversity people do come together, looking for ways to connect with our shared culture and common humanity. Manchester’s Tony Walsh has shown how art is integral to this, reading his poem, This is the Place at a vigil for the Manchester Arena victims.
Written for Sally D’s Mobile Photography Challenge at Lens and Pens by Sally.
Detail from ‘Albatross‘ (1986), sculpture by Tania Ashken. Located on Wellington waterfront at Frank Kitts Park. Image; Su Leslie, 2017
Max Patte, ‘Solace of the Wind’ 2008. Installed on Wellington waterfront at Te Papa. Image: Su Leslie, 2017
“Solace of the Wind” (2008). Sculpture in bronze by Max Patte. Located on Wellington waterfront at Te Papa. Image, Su Leslie, 2017
