When the national Gallery opened in 1988, the exhibitions and their café became frequent destinations – a meeting place for locals, to take in the latest exhibitions while seeing old friends – the fabulous works in the permanent collections. Continue reading Visiting the National Gallery in Canberra
There were few people visiting the NGA’s Sculpture Garden when I visited to enjoy the garden’s well-designed spaces and to check out the artworks.
It was, as I was reading an online US newspaper on Thursday, June 2, that I spotted they had the streaming of the Queen’s platinum celebration in London. How could I resist?
There was news in May that a new supermarket is to open in Canberra. Harris Farm Markets are to build a new store at Majura Park on the northern end of the site occasionally used by the circus. Continue reading Supermarkets, galleries and Italian food
Particular major urban developments in Canberra have been promoted to be in line with the plans of Marion Mahony Griffin and Walter Burley Griffin or somehow in the spirit of the Griffins.
When Marion Mahony Griffin provided those glorious drawings for the submission to design Canberra, she included a distant view of the mountains.
Continue reading Marion Mahony Griffin’s vision for Canberra
Book Review: Killing Sydney: The Fight For a City’s Soul
Elizabeth Farrelly’s new book “Killing Sydney: The Fight For a City’s Soul” is a must-read for anyone with an interest in their local planning issues.
Earlier this month we ventured out for the day to meet a friend at Braidwood. She was from the south coast and so Braidwood meant we both travelled just over an hour.
not so normal travel during the pandemic
We took the opportunity to travel to what seemed like a faraway place – Adelaide.
Recommended reading for all of us as we try to work out what the hell happened with democracy and how our governments have ruined this country.
There’s a wonderful group of videos on YouTube – featuring Ry Cooder in the studio performing new songs from Prodigal Son.
A small selection of photographs from wandering around this wonderful complex city.
Recommended ReadingMythomania: Tales of Our Times from Apple to ISIS – by Peter Conrad, Thames and Hudson
Several years ago I had listened to most of Peter Conrad’s BBC podcasts on his topic of Myths – and loved them.
I have read just a little of this book so far – but can say that it as good as if not better than listening to the podcasts of Peter’s broadcasts. It is now part of my reading for the next weeks. And there are new topics covered.
A review of Dark Matter – click here.
The words populism and populist have no simple, coherent meaning.
A list of women in music – turning the tables; click here
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This is an album I am playing a lot. My rating would be 5/5.
here’s a re-issue of some really beautiful – magnificent music.
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For people who live in the older tree filled suburbs of Canberra, being not only the inner north but also out to west Belconnen and the older parts of Woden, Weston and inner Tuggeranong – I have a holiday experience for you.
New book by Naomi Kleinthis is my second post on this book:
here’s a new review of the book on The Guardian – click here
Dark Matter, Randy Newman’s first album of new material in nine years, is due August 4 on Nonesuch; vinyl on August 18.
The Uber CEO is gone – why?
click here for the story in The Guardian and read about Susan Fowler, the person who did not do as advised – to ignore the sexist behaviour around her.
Everyone is invited to the next Flix’n Dickson “Christmas in July” Party
Yet again the media has misunderstood what Pauline Hanson said!
You would have heard many songs over the decades – but this is something new.
the Rijksmuseum is presenting a major retrospective of 19th-century photography – click here
says it all.. the idiot of Australian politics
New book by Naomi Klein“This is one attempt to uncover how we got to this surreal political moment. It is also an attempt to predict how, under cover of shocks and crises, it could get a lot worse.
And it’s a plan for how, if we keep our heads, we might just be able to flip the script and arrive at a radically better future.” — From the Introduction
While Australia is a great country – it has been a long time since we have experienced a government that was actually committed to its culture.
A new Steve Earle album is due out soon – this time, with a few friends, moving back to his roots – being country music.
It has been a while since we have seen a ‘greatest hits’ by Lyle Lovett – and this collection is one to have.
Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band : is this the best popular music has to offer? Paul Townsend, flickr, CC BY
INFORMATION CALL-OUT: FRANK HURLEYSearching for Frank Hurley along our northern beaches
Did you know that Frank Hurley was a very keen gardener and photographer of wild flowers?
In April 2018 The Manly Art Gallery and Museum will be launching a very special exhibition titled: Frank Hurley – Sydney Harbour photographer: From Circular Quay to Collaroy.
What will an eBook be 20 years from now? What will a book be? Voyagerix/shutterstock
Nick Earls, The University of Queensland Continue reading The Future of Books
Do we have examples of good residential architecture in Canberra?
This is a follow up to a previous post back in 2016 – when I questioned some of the ‘innovations’ being offered in the new MacBook Pros.
About the architecture along Northbourne Avenue
The saga of the proposed Garden Bridge over the Thames in London has been well covered in the UK press. It is indeed a saga. It is about a folly.
click on the banner – and bookmark the page by Jan Bridges.
There is no doubt that Anzac Parade is very special.
There’s an article in Straits Times about photographer Koh Kim Chay and his decades of photographing the ubiquitous government flats of Singapore.
Music Review: Rhiannon Giddens: Freedom Highway, February 2017My comments have nit changed much from my previous post on Rhiannon Giddens: This 2017 album features a woman with a strong and beautiful voice – singing folk songs of America – making very beautiful Americana music.
Wonderful music from Ry Cooder – see Youtube below..
Review: Triplicate – 3 CDs, 2017Here’s a challenge – Bob Dylan in slow swing doing this set of 30 songs. I recommend listening to these with the volume up – not soft.
I enjoyed 2015’s Shadows in the Night & also the 2016’s Fallen Angels. I recommend both of those albums.
Nice online exhibition of photographs – from The Washington Post – click here.
To link to a review of The National at the Art Gallery of NSW – click here.
I cannot be! That it is 50 years since at around 11pm when I was suppose to be asleep in bed, that I heard this music coming from the lounge room.
Back in 1996, Philip Bentley, Melbourne historian, wrote a thesis on the history of the Melbourne photographers, Group M.
Oh how we wish for more voices to be critical of the current political class and their hangers-on – and I include many journalists as being hangers-on.
It had to happen. According to recent reports – roast potatoes were in the frame for causing cancer. Science says…
Click on the image for the story about a book on one wonderful aspect of Singapore culture
Martin Kantor Portrait Prize EntryApplications close: 31st May 2017
click on image for more….
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George Bell (1920 – 2008) was member of Group M – in Melbourne.
Celebrating with visual art and music
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click on the image for the website – Women Photograph
A selection of photographs taken from one of Frank Hurley’s books…
one of the pleasures of life – relaxing and watching the birds..
Time for some fun – and a new song from Randy Newman…
Book Review: Girt: The Unauthorised History of Australia -David HuntMy knowledge of Australian history is patchy – I know the basics and much more. History interest me but usually most history books are far too dry. Then along comes this book with that title: GIRT.
Once upon a time thought The Rolling Stones were one of the great rock’n’roll bands – who also occasionally sang the blues. In between those early years and now there was not a lot of great music from the Stones – loads of concerts and a mix of music – some good and some ok. Would they ever make great music again?
Book ReviewStill Lucky, Rebecca Huntley, 2017. This is a good book. The message is clear – Australians are far more optimistic than we have been led to believe by our governments and the media. This researcher has done the research, travelled the country, talked to loads of people over many years. If you are interested in her reports on her research and comments – this book will give you all that and more.
The Place in Sydney for all manner of gifts and good buys – recommended.
Review: Everywhere I Look, Helen GarnerHere’s a good read. Being a selection of essays and diary notes based on many events and sometimes those quite happenings that one observes.
I have not read any Helen Garner’s work but have a reasonable awareness of the topics she writes on. Other reviewers have related this work to previous writings – for me I had to take it all on face value.
click on the image for the story of how art galleries could make a stand against the Trump actions on equity and immigration.
OMG – is this really 2017 – or 1984. Click on image for the story
click on the image for the wise words about dealing with Trump
click on the image for the story behind these ‘we the people’ posters
click on the image for the article
At the meeting in August 2016 on the government’s proposals to redevelop the West Basin of Lake Burley Griffin, the main line taken by the government was that their proposals were based on the Griffin Legacy.
They have tried before and have failed–but this time they have got their way.
A word or two on the media and journalism – click on the image above
Picking up on an online article by Dr Martin Hirst where he lays out some of the problems with journalisms – I offer the following additional thoughts.
Here’s a highly recommended album for those who want to hear good Americana with a touch of rock. This is a best of Paul Thorn-2016 album – two discs. Rating 4/5
Expressions of Interest are due by 5pm on 3 February 2017
click on the image for the story
The Place in Sydney for all manner of gifts and good buys – recommended.
