WhiteNight

The white foam sculpture above was designed and created by Michel Blazy (born Mexico 1966, lives and works in Paris), for WhiteNight and was installed and presented at the National Gallery of Victoria for one night. 

Blazy has a long history with working with organic materials and is interested in exploring the beauty of decay and the poetic possibilities of the passing of time as these materials are allowed to deteriorate over the course of an exhibition.

According to Balzy, "there is nothing disgusting about it, at all, its just death meeting life.

I decided to participate in the WhiteNight Film Screen Test at ACMI by performing a Monologue for Breakfast at Tiffany's. It was part of a contemporary interactive art performance and heaps of fun. Even though the outcome was rather embarrassing...

WhiteNight Monologue for Breakfast at Tiffany's

... and living one of those dreams

It's a long story... but in summary, last Sunday whilst languishing over brunch at the Breakwater Cafe, I met Anthony Turner a creative, capable and inspiring Australian who spent four years custom making and building his stunning Catamaran "Liquid Desires". 

As I sat on the wooden decking of the restaurant in the midday sun, a novel poised over my knees he spoke with ease and enthusiasm about his chance to finally nurture his dream - to set sail around the islands of the world with his Portuguese Water dog Sally and a crew of like minded friends. 

Within a few days, some friends from Apsen suggested  I should try to arrange for Anthony to take us out sailing one day. As the idea swelled and gathered momentum, everyone started to get very excited. But on the eleventh hour our free-spirited intentions had to be modified because our deployment contract specifies that we most be within thirty minutes of the GBR at all times so that we can provide 24/7 emergency and definitive medical/surgical management. So instead, we all went on board for a very social, stylish and decadent seafood lunch!

It was a beautiful and memorable day... most notably, was lying on the deck warmed by a blanket of sunshine and gazing out at the distant horizon and surrounding islands, over the teal Pacific sea. Simply idyllic.

 Some Aspen crew friends, partners and Anthony's friends.

From left to right: Fran, Paul, Trevor, Michelle, Jules & Alan.
Thanks Christina for being our photographer.

Relaxing on board the sophisticated and stylish "Liquid Desire" Catamaran Island Charters.
http://surftheearth.com.au/solomon_islands/liquid_desire.

Pacific Island friendships

 

Patirica & Edna, National Museum Honiara, Solomon Islands (Feb 2012).

One of the catalysts for travelling around the globe is the chance to experience, explore and engage in different cultures. One of the greatest joys is that moment when you meet someone who you simply adore and who you feel at ease conversing and begin with, irrespective of the cultural, social-economic or geographical differences. Last year when whilst I was in Honiara, I met Edna and Patricia. Two incredibly strong, courageous and generous women. The memory of their beautiful faces and the conversations that we shared, have stayed with me. When I was told that I would be returning to Honiara, I was thrilled to think that we might see one another again and in recent days, I have had the great joy and immense pleasure to spend time with both these women and the chance to deepen our friendship.

A really beautiful and tender experience. I feel very blessed.

Patricia with her daughter Christie.

and her 14 month old son Casmiro, 
being lulled to sleep on the catamaran.

Dreaming about....

Masters in Arts Management

2014

Palazzo Strozzi, Florence; MIBAC - Italian Ministry of Artistic Heritage and Culture, Rome; and Peggy Guggheim Collection, Venice.

Bettle nut stall

A cool shady spot in Honiara

... about as easy to find as a needle in a haystack.

Above, from left to right: Maree, Jules, Fran and Alan. 

Thanks Michelle for being our photographer.

National Parliament

 

(Above) View from National Parliament and across Honiara central.

 

Solomon Island Flag (below): Each individual feature of the (fifth and current) Solomon Islands flag represents something unique. Green is the land, yellow is the sunlight that bathes the islands, deep blue is the sky above and the water which surrounds the five provinces of this country. How beautiful.

Ceiling detail from the House of Parliament (above): Decorated with wood paneling and architectural details representing each of the seven provinces of the Solomon Islands.

Nurses

Bliss

Sometimes, a girl just craves a little blissful escape, and as today was my first day off, I decided to spend the majority of the day relaxing and following my own rhythm. So after a bit of a sleep in and a late morning breakfast, I walked next door to the Bamboo Cafe to order a take away latte and borrow a novel (Swimming the Channel) from their Book Exchange. Then I returned to nestle by the pool at the King Solomon Hotel, and spent the rest of the day floating in clear blue water, reading. 

 

The following image is a little glimpse of me after I 'eventually' emerged from the water. I love my new hair cut, fake Gucci tortoiseshell sunglasses (from Dili, East Timor) and the sexy design of my new Robert Cavalli bathers (halter neck, with pink roses, leopard skin print and orange lining).

Sometimes its nice not to take oneself so seriously and just enjoy a novel to retreat into, an idyllic and quiet location, a strong brew and a bit of glamour... Some of the things that make my heart sing.

Holding still

I turn wearily towards the lack of you, 

hold still as if to hold you still.

- Gabrielle Glancy

Swimming the Channel; A memoir of love and loss.

Swimming the Channel; A memoir of love and loss. 

Sally Friedman

...We met when I was thirty years old. I had led a mostly solitary life - no prom dates, no long-term boyfriends. I had lived alone from the age of nineteen. I longed for a close relationship in spite of my strong suspicion that I was unsuited for one. Marriage was not one of my most important goals; it was somewhere below leading an interesting life. I worried that I would feel stifled living in close proximity to another human being, that he would get on my nerves. I thought I was so independent. Little did I expect that when I fell, it would be with the same resounding thud as anyone else who had ever fallen head over heels in love. It was frightening how quickly my life was turned upside down.

Emergency Evacuation

Standing in the foyer of the King Solomon Hotel this afternoon with just the clothes I was wearing, a bottle of water, my Australian passport and a few belongings was surreal. Moments earlier, whilst I was in the middle of a deep mid-day slumber, I received a frightening and bewildering phone call telling me to "EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!!... A tsunami is about to hit the island". 

 

After I received that phone call, I felt the surge of adrenaline that comes with the reality that something unforeseeable and life threatening is about to occur; and all I could think of was home and the people I love. I then quickly looked around my room and in 5 minutes gathered my vital belongings and ran downstairs to meet my colleagues in the Hotel foyer. 

While the extent of the tsunami that struck Honiara this afternoon is not completely known, reports indicate that the majority of the impact was restricted to the western aspect of the island at Santa Cruz and some outlining islands. Thank fully, there was no damage or loss within the central district of Honiara and the Guadacanal Beach Resort where my colleagues and the defence force are located. 

Honiara