Lille installations

Some of the displays I saw wandering around the Lille flea market were like unintentional art installations. Here are some of my favorites.

 

Lille next weekend

Next weekend is the grande braderie de Lille , I'm going to be in Paris so I'll be heading up by train, it's only and hour away, also about and hour from London by Eurostar. Ever since last year I have been dreaming about this work bench I saw there ! it would have been perfect for my new kitchen. Even if by some weird stroke of luck I find it again this year I still wont be able to take it home on the train !

Upholstered Bike

The Woollen Yarn Spinners of the Nile Delta

Barbara Hepworth Sudio

In our opinion any trip to Cornwall will be incomplete without a dip in the sea, it was pretty chilly, but thoroughly invigorating. The second must is a visit to Barbera Hepworths' studio in St Ives. This is a magical spot left almost as if Barbara has just popped out for a cream tea. Time has been suspended in an appealingly mid-century modern period with bits and pieces of desirable 50's furniture, and the luscious garden is carefully tended and enshrines many of her favorite sculptures.

Don't bother with the Tate but make a beeline to Barbaras' Studio, before or after the required Pasty on the beach (beware killer seagulls)

The Zuider Zee Museum

Last Monday on my way back from a beautiful wedding in the North of Holland, I visited this charming museum, a whole fishing village has been rebuilt on the banks of Europes' largest lake the Ijsselmeer. The lake was created in 1932 when an inland sea, the Zuiderzee, was closed by a 32 km dam, and the museum was conceived to preserve the culture and traditions of the local inhabitants.

Over the past few years the museum has started to commission contemporary dutch designers and their work is exhibited in selected houses in the village. Making a wonderful surprise when entering some of the houses and discovering a Studio Job stained glass or the retro/modern delft blue and white stencils of Hugo Kaagman (above and below)

Dotted around the village are traditionally dressed 'locals' going about their daily lives, making lunch, repairing fishing nets washing laundry, all adding to the feeling of stepping back in time .

I took these photos on my iphone hipstamatic app, which creates this delightful aged effect.

The Zuider Zee Museum

Mandvi Ship Building

The northern Gujerati town of Mandvi has been a centre for ship building for over 4 centuries. What was astonishing to discover was that this thriving industry has remained virtually unchanged since it's beginnings. These wooden ships take about 2 years to complete and as far as we could see the skilled workers had no plans to follow. The tidal creek was scattered with these majestic elegant vessels in various states of completion. Which we were told are built for clients from all over the globe.

Another attraction to this far flung corner of India is the Mandvi Beach Resort Which provides an agreeable stop over in luxury tents on the edges of the vast beaches.

Illustrated Book Of The Week : They Put out To Sea

It's been quite sometime since the last appearance of our occasional item 'Illustrated Book of the Week' This one however seemed to fit in quite well with our recent travel posts. The bright colours and boldness of the plates put a smile on our face.

Pedal Power Dutch Style

Ahmedabad Adventure : The Artisans

Well now for a bit more about what I have been doing in India. I was invited by the Alliance Francaise of Ahmedabad (they're like the french version of the British Council) to collaborate on a textile project with a group called SEWA. the results are to be exhibited as part of a cultural event to take place in Ahmedabad later this year and then travel to other cities in India. The objective being to promote the work of this NGO.I jumped at the opportunity. I agreed that expenses only would be paid and I would spend 3 weeks working with women embroiderers some of whom live in the villages in the Kutch region. I spent 2 days in their regional center where about 15 women were gathered together, and we worked on some of the ideas I had begun to develop in Ahmedabad. The rest of the 3 weeks were spent in SEWAS production center based in an old textile factory on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.Here are some of those women hard at work. What is interesting is that each village will be specialised in a particular stitch which has been traditionally practised to embellish their clothing. Sewas Aim is to facilitate the earning power of these women through their traditional craft. Many live in remote villages where there is little or no employment . I have tried to use their traditional know how but develop it into new directions. In 3 weeks we have put together a collection of about 30 pieces, including accessories, scarves, clothes, quilts, bags etc.