This bust in Kokura Castle intrigued me. The man’s name was not possible to read, neither was the artist’s name. They were only written in Japanese, and there was nobody to ask about it.
I walked past him several times, as he was standing (if a bust can stand?) close to the entrance gate. Each time I felt someone was watching me. It was something with his eyes.
I know about (and have seen such paintings) Renaissance painters who could paint eyes that seemingly followed you, but sculptures? They say it is about how the iris is placed against the white part of the eye. Anyhow, he was creepy. And in my picture, the surrounding photographic blur mirrors the look in his eyes.
What are your thoughts? Have you experienced something similar? Has someone got a further explanation to the phenomenon?
When visiting the reclining Buddha, we passed by Acalanatha, the fierce Buddhist deity, god of fire, said to protect worshipers from disasters or harm. At his feet were numerous Buddha disciples. I was fascinated by their expressions – everyone different. Fantastic work.
Enjoy some of them from a closer position. They were covered in moss and lichen, but their faces and gestures were so very alive.
Last week Patti hosted a beautiful challenge – Hopeful. A timely theme, and thank you for so much to contemplate and to learn on the meaning and importance of hope!
Coming back from a beautiful journey – I was so inspired by Japan, that Delicate seemed a natural choice. Most of my examples will be from my art experiences there. And, now we want to know: What is delicate to you? Feel free to use it in any meaning: exquisite, fragile, subtle, elegant…etc. We are looking forward to seeing your posts!
Let’s start with man made art! These are some of Sadako’s delicate cranes made with needles. Sadako was a Japanese girl who died from being exposed to radiation from the A-bomb. She believed she would get well and live if she managed to fold 1000 cranes.
This is a Japanese pot (raku) for growing Fuukiran orchids. I found the pot (diameter about 9cm) in the botanical garden in Nara, and I do plan to try growing a Fuukiran myself.
At one of the many temples I stumbled upon a gorgeously delicate waterpipe decoration – one cannot but admire Japanese art, delicate into the finest detail!
Natural art is important in Japan, but the Japanese tweak it according to tradition and their personal preference. Especially trees.
So, pruning gardens is a truly delicate work. Gardeners work meticulously to keep their trees perfect. The goal is a simple, minimalist natural setting design to inspire reflection and meditation. And this garden, in the middle of Tokyo, was no exception. In all the gardens we visited, people were quietly walking the paths. The only sounds were natural ones, wind and bird song, streaming waterfalls.
A Japanese maple in one of the many beautiful temple gardens we visited. The trees themselves are works of art and they are highly treasured for their delicate and colourful leaves.
Ordinary People, and Geishas too, sometimes need a break… As we went to Japan during the Golden Week, the long holiday and flowering time in Japan, we saw many Geishas – or at least people dressed up for the festivities. Especially in Kyoto. And I was happy to see it was not only elderly people! The most common thing among youngsters was to dress up (there were endless offers of kimonos for hire) and take selfies at famous temples and gardens. Notice their hairdos and the delicate handbags – and shoes. Phones are there too, of course…
And finally, a Samuraj house in Kokura. Clean lines and rice paper windows. Minimalist.
I also want to include a Ukrainian wren, a watercolour by my friend, zen artist Tanya Samsonova. Many artists are inspired by the delicate Japanese style, and surely this painting would fit in any Japanese home.
Starting with the little things and moving up to a whole house – delicate is a useful word. I guess you noticed I haven’t used any flowers for this challenge? If you participate for this challenge (I hope you will!), you might be careful of using them too… because I know that next week Sofia will go Floral. Please visit her beautiful site for more inspiration. Warm hugs and thank you, Sofia, for inspiring me to finally visit Japan – it was just as amazing as you said it would be! (And I am not yet fully recovered from that long flight…)
Well, reading through my post, I just realised that this week is a bit of a milestone – post number 300 since LACP started! That is more than we could have hoped for. Thank you everyone for staying with us!
Lastly, please remember to use the Lens-Artist tag if you are participating, and to link to my original post. Until next time, stay well and enjoy every day!
Ritva challenges us this week to think abstract. Abstract photography breaks the normal rules of realism. She explains that it focuses on the shapes, colors, textures, and patterns of the subject rather than its literal representation. Please visit her extraordianry site for more inspiration and examples!
Abstract, sometimes reality is just as abstract – this tree in Bhutan surely has an abstract quality.
Art has a voice – let it speak” ― Rochelle Carr
A gallery from the archives tells me I do like abstract…or non figurative. I think we all do, but maybe we just don’t think of our photos as abstract. We fall in love with certain qualities of the place or thing or anything that makes us create a photograph, be it abstract or not.
Techniques – and luck – used in the gallery are close-up, double exposure, collage, reflections, steam and light play.
There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.
– Pablo Picasso
The gallery above was made with ICM on a walk in the surroundings of my old school last week.
To participate in this challenge, link to or leave a comment on the host’s original challenge post and please use the #Lens-Artists tag so we can easily find you in the Reader.
And if you want even more information on the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.
Last week Donna’s wonderful post invited us to rock, and what beautiful rocks and places we got to visit! Next week Egídio is hosting, I am sure his theme and beautiful photography will once again give us wonderful inspiration.
Until then, stay calm and wait for the next bus. I will be on the road for the next three weeks, but trying to stay in touch!
Let’s start with St-Paul-de-Vence and then another post on Eze. Two beautiful medieval towns close to Nice. Each one perfect for a day tour.
This is St-Paul-de-Vence, clinging to the rocks and still a magnet to all kinds of tourists. Filled with galleries and art, and Fondation Maeght close by, a private museum with collections of modern and contemporary art.
Here’s some different ”street art” – I loved that hanging lady – real size!
Stars like Greta Garbo and Sophia Loren stayed at this hotel. It still looked fashionable.
I loved Fondation Maeght, and especially the tall, thin figures by Alberto Giacometti, the cat and the dog. I have seen some of them at Louisiana in Denmark before.
So, when in Nice – take the bus out there and enjoy!
For the first time we were there – and we went four different carnival days. All thanks to Viveka of Myguiltypleasures, who is a true ambassador of this carnival. If you want to see more from Nice – please visit her fantastic blog.
Enjoy a gallery from the Opening Parade, with the theme: Roi de la Pop Culture. Starting and ending with some great stars!
First, an old favourite of mine from a late walk in Riga, Latvia, hopefully suitable as a warm welcome to Ritva as she hosts for the first time as a Lens-Artist team member! Ritva is a skilled and interesting photographer, so please visit her site for more inspiration!
Like Ritva, I often do window shopping. It is cheaper than shopping, and I like to photograph creative and attractive windows. What’s more, Ritva says that anything goes for this challenge. Even window frames alone permitted – so, here we go!
Buy, buy, says the sign in the shop window; Why, why, says the junk in the yard.
– Paul McCartney
As I take a look at my old photo galleries and archives, I find that I mostly take pictures of art and architecture – and I still do. In fact I had some great opportunities in Nice last week, so all my photos here are from this tiny part of France. Mainly from St-Paul-de-Vence and Eze.
In this first picture, I found complete harmony between the building and the display behind the glass. I love the contrasts in structure inside and outside. And all colours matched – something not so often seen.
I love different styles, even the very elaborate ones. I admire people who can create ”clean” and coherent displays in any style. The French, just like the Italians, are so good at it.
Marrying a man is like buying something you’ve been admiring for a long time in a shop window. You may love it when you get it home, but it doesn’t always go with everything else in the house.
– Jean Kerr
We must not forget food, and especially cakes, that make such beautiful windows! Sometimes I feel like walking right through the glass to get some… These artworks are often handmade too, which you cannot say about many things nowadays. We all know that we eat with our eyes as well – so this is double window shopping, speaking to at least two of our senses.
I went window shopping today! I bought four windows.
– Tommy Cooper
A post on window shopping would not be complete without clothes in it. Well, I found this display rather interesting – there were similar displays and windows for each range of colours. It took me a minute or two to understand that the small round packages all contained vests like the one in the middle. Easy to carry, easy to wear. And I am there too if you look closely…
Art is clearly my favourite for most city photos, and this post is no exception. The last one to the right is a painting behind a window grid. For a special effect and to confuse you a bit… I did not include the real frame.
Finally, window shopping naturelle! In my eyes, nothing beats the old city walls with nature on display in glassless windows.
A big thank you to Donna for her creative and inspiring post on the topic of sound. I really had to put on my thinking cap there… It was wonderful to see how different everyone interpreted it.
Remember to tag Lens-Artists if you’re taking part and to link back to Ritvas original post. Next week John (Journeys with Johnbo) will host the Lens-Artists Challenge. Be sure to visit his inspirational site for more! And if you want even more information on the Lens-Artists Challenge, please click here.
If you haven’t seen this exhibition, I do recommend you to go! I guess it has been shown in a great many countries by now – and finally here in Malmoe too.
Vincent Van Gogh has always fascinated me, his paintings as well as his grim fate. This digital exhibition is a wonder in both pictures and music. We stayed for hours, walking, sitting, being totally soaked up in his world. I also liked very much the concept of people getting portrayed as silhouettes against his works. An inspirational evening indeed.
If you happen to have this exhibition in your city, please go and see it – being immersed in beautiful images to enchanting music – what more can you ask for?
Leya 
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