The Dahlia Festival is not only flowers – but decorated floats in annual parades called Corso. In fact we saw more than 20 of them in this little town. They were really well made down to the finest detail. The people here start in April with ideas and sketches, then they make the figures and paint them. When the Dahlia season arrives in September, the floats are decorated with flowers the same colours as they were painted in.
I’ll post a couple of the floats, and also a video I made on one of the most impressive ones. You will see that the actors take their work seriously!
First there was a children’s parade, where the floats were drawn by children as well.
Then came the bigger floats made with impressive reality look.
And of course they also were more and more architecturally impressive.
Anubis was one of my favourites.
And finally, the great lion – well, they couldn’t have made it more fascinating than this!
The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail.
– Charles R. Swindoll
Patti makes us look for the details this week – and we’re looking forward to seeing what you have found! Please visit Patti’s site for wonderful inspiration.
This bronze sculpture by the American Paul Kubic, stands in Keukenhof Castle Garden and is named The Temptation of Saint Anthony. Saint Anthony was a hermit in the desert of Egypt in the 300´s. The bronze below was made 1978 -1984 and it measures 175 x 400 x 150.
We were there for the Dahlia festival, but were totally absorbed by the details in this work. We went back to it several times for even closer looks. I also talked to a man, who used to go see this statue every year, photographing the changes. Mostly how parts of it were disappearing I think…
The theme used to be popular with artists in the old days because it represented the temptations of everyday life and reminded audiences to mimic Saint Anthony’s devotion and re-enforce the trust in God to ignore temptation.
Many details included hands, and if you want to see a little bit more of all the fantastic details, you can click this link for a 2.32- minute video that really conveys the mystery of Kubic’s work.
Patti allowed us to post one more story though. My second detailed sequence is from the Dahlia Floats in Holland. A different kind of art work, but also a demanding one.
I was very impressed by the work to fit in every single flower in its prepainted place matching its correct painted colour…
– and fast too! Flowers don’t last very long without water. For cut flowers even shorter time. They must last the whole parade and a second day.
An even closer look when the float was passing, and you could see the flowers and construction in detail.
So, have fun and show us what you’ve discovered! Be sure to link to Patti’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.
Last week, Egidio hosted his “Silence” challenge, which was a beautiful exploration of places filled with quiet. Something we all need in this turbulent world and I enjoyed every minute! Next week, it’s Tina’s turn to lead us, so be sure to stop by her gorgeous site, Travels and Trifles, next Saturday at noon EST. See you then!
I guess Holland doesn’t need more presentation than this: canals, boats, bicycles – and flowers! Not only tulips, but this year we decided to visit the Dahlia Festival instead. And we were not disappointed!
The gallery features some glorious dahlias from Keukenhof Castle. We arrived just after a shower and could savour all the colours and shapes – and some raindrops too.
We also visited a couple of Dahlia farms with a multitude of different sorts. Pompon Dahlias are still popular and I understand why. They don’t look real! I thought I would buy some bulbs and give away to Dahlia lovers back home – unfortunately they are not for sale in September – but in early Spring…
Well, I loved photographing them, and a couple of days later we saw the Dahlia Parade too, with flower floats you could only dream of…
When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.
― Ansel Adams
Egidio is our silent guide this week, and silence is one of our most precious gifts in life. Please visit Egidio’s inspirational site to learn more about the challenge and American photographer Robert Adams’ use of silence in photography.
Trees, forests and water are my main sources for portraying silence. And as always, Light. My favourite places to go for complete silence – only allow the sound of wind, water or bird song.
Silence is a source of great strength.
– Lao Tzu
In silence there is eloquence.
– Rumi
Let silence take you to the core of life.
– Rumi
Silence speaks louder than words.
– Thomas Carlyle
Silence is not the absence of sound but the presence of a deeper meaning.
– Unknown
Silence is a true art; it teaches us to speak without words.
– Unknown
A massive thank you to Ritva for last week’s challenge based on Leonard Cohen’s poem. I loved the variety of responses to this creative challenge. We hope you will join us again, and remember to link back to Egídio’s original post with the Lens-Artists tag, so we can find you in the WP reader.
Next week it’s Patti’s turn, Saturday 9th November. Patti’s challenge will be In the Details, as she asks us to choose a subject (a statue, a person, a place, street art, etc.) and take a series of photos ot it. Getting closer and closer to the subject, focusing on a particular detail(s). We can vary our shots by changing perspective or angle of shooting – or even lens. Post three photos of the subject, but feel free to shoot another series on a second subject.
With Milo as good as new after his makeover, we drove homewards, but made a stop at the beautiful waters I always passed by when I was still working.
The old mill is still standing, but this time the light was wrong for a photo. Instead we walked along the river banks, listening to the silence.
Milo was completely happy, and so was I.
The Autumn air was crisp and cool – and I never tire of watching the colourful leaves falling, floating, making beautiful patterns.
A couple of Mallards came swimming, hoping for food, but disappeared quickly when they saw the dog.
On our way back again, the sun gracefully spread its golden rays, and my old love for Autumn was kindled once more. Thank you for walking with me and Milo!
This week Ritva – inspired by Leonard Cohen’s lyrics and his characteristic blend of melancholy and optimism – offers a challenge based on these lines:
Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, in everything That’s how the light gets in
This is a personal favourite quote, and I will try to show some feelings it arises within me. Light and thoughts of healing is the main focus. Your feelings might be very different.
Who lived in these rooms…and were they really happy?
Were children running and playing here or were they always restricted by strong rules and traditions, dressed up in impossible costumes?
Have you ever seen the ice breaking up? The special light and the sound it makes when you walk on it?
Never stop being a child within, because children help us see the light still shining in this world.
Nature is the helper and the answer to many of our human imperfections. When we cannot find beacons ourselves – nature can.
We struggle, like mankind always have done, to find a meaning – a light – in our lives. Some people find it in religion or from special and charismatic people. From Love.
People are like buildings, they can be dilapidated, but beauty still shines through those cracks, and we can try to accept them and find peace within through them.
The struggle for light is constant, but I always see the darkness first. I strive to share beauty and light in everything I do, because the walk of life will be easier, despite the cracked steps and roads we walk.
Ritva says it so well: ”By sharing these images, we not only showcase our individual stories, but also create an opportunity for dialogue and connection. Let each image tell a story, convey an emotion, or illustrate a moment of seeing light.” Thank you, Ritva, for a thoughtful and uplifting challenge. Don’t forget to link to Ritva’s original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.
A big thank you to Anne, for the artistic approach to photography with ICM, it was so much fun to do and fun to see what we were able to do with this style. Next week Egídio leads us to something new again, please visit his inspirational blog to see more.
Leya 
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