Lens-Artists Challenge #193 – Birthdays

For this week’s challenge, John wants us to show what is special to us about birthdays. This was a difficult one for me – because the happiest birthdays were of course the childhood ones. Today, as for many people here in Sweden, family birthday gatherings only include food and cake, maybe a small present.

Birthdays for me now, means meeting up with good friends for some nice food, a chat and a visit to some new exhibition. No celebrating really. Then I came to think of my 60th birthday, a birthday that I spent without my family (the only one so far!) – instead I went to Poland for The Light Move Festival with my blogging friend Viveka (My Guilty Pleasures). Of course that is one of my most special birthdays! I posted on it in 2017, and when I go back to read those posts again, I keep smiling at the joyful and relaxed time we spent in Łódź – a city unknown to me before, but a huge positive surprise! So much great art, architecture, friendly people, gorgeous food and of course – the best company – Viveka.

– I hope you will enjoy those days in Łódź too, through some of my shimmering memories in this gallery! You might even find Viveka there somewhere…

I had to finish with the beautiful Jewish graveyard, where we spent hours walking in silence, contemplating. Alone together. Both of us love walking in those abandoned graveyards – so much history, sadness, silence and beauty.

Yes, we had a great time, Vivi and I – and we often talk about those days when we meet up. A wonderful trip…that would be the kind of birthday to have more often …

Sincere thanks to John for the opportunity to reminisce about our special events. Whatever event you choose to feature, please remember to link your response to John’s original here, and to use the Lens-Artists Tag. Thanks also to Amy for last week’s Earth Story challenge. She is worth celebrating and taking extra care of – and you helped to show a marvelous display of Mother Earth’s many gifts – and her vulnerability.

As always, we thank you for joining us and hope you’ll be with us again next week, when Sofia leads our challenge. Until then, please stay safe and be kind.

Interested in joining Lens-Artists? Click here for more information

Lens-Artists Challenge #182 – Interesting Objects

Patti says: ”This week, we’re exploring Interesting Objects on LAPC. I’m sure you’ve had the experience of walking through a city, the country, a museum, or a beach, for example, and something catches your eye…”

In the opener you will find a somewhat strange photo of my favourite Swedish composer – when visiting his birthplace, I found this quote – ”To fight for the Light, yes, that is the highest” – His music shines of a very special light, creating a soft nest inside you.

Here are some of my eyecatchers…

I don’t think a dog is an ”object” – but still, here is one of the most striking dog meetings I have had… I met him, when I was crossing a square in Lodz, Poland. I admired his beautiful coat, and then, suddenly, he looked straight at me – with those unforgettable eyes. Icy blue, so blue. And he was Not a Siberian Husky. Maybe a mix with one.

Ireland – an incredible coincidence that I had just read a biography about these young women and the grim fate of their children. This plate sat on a bench in a beautiful park.

A sailing lamp…found in 15th century castle Bunratty in Ireland. This must be one of the strangest lamps I have ever seen. Bunratty is the most complete and authentic castle in Ireland, and in fact there were several chandeliers with these mermaids.

Kyrkö Mosse – a ”must visit” when you come to my part of Sweden. Some hundred old cars, once collected by a dedicated man. Standing in a bog, they are all slowly sinking, and will within not too many years totally disappear.

In Tbilisi, Georgia, I found this metal oak tree with a height of 9 meters. It is located at the European square, near the entrance to Rike park.
The tree is richly decorated with fairy tale houses, birds, insects, leaves and acorns.
Made by sculptor David Monavarlisashvili, and said to personify the history of Tbilisi and the whole of Georgia.

Patti says, this week we are invited to share images that feature Interesting Objects.

Have fun searching for them on the street, in your home, in your travels, or from your archives. Please include a link to her original post and use the Lens-Artists tag.

Last week, we enjoyed learning about and exploring your favorite photo challenges. Thank you Tina for hosting the Double Dipping Challenge – an eye opener to many new possibilities! Next week, it’s my turn to lead the challenge, so be sure to stop by and join in the fun! Until then, stay healthy and have an inspiring week!

Tuesday Photo Challenge – Fantasy

Tuesday Photo Challenge – Fantasy

 

Fantasy – a treasure for those who have it and use it creatively! For Frank this week.

Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Anything Related to Music

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Anything Related to Music

Tuesday Photo Challenge – Tranquil

Tuesday Photo Challenge – Tranquil

Thursday Thoughts – Art Nouveau Villas

Wherever I travel, I love to walk among architectural big or small wonders. In Łódź, on our last day, I found a guide about famous houses in the city. Not much time left, but I just had to see their famous Art Nouveau gem.

Villa Gallery, a house built in 1903 for the manufacturer Leopold Kindermann from Łódź, is listed on the prestigious Iconic Houses platform.

The global list of outstanding architecturally-significant houses is created by the Amsterdam-based Iconic Houses Foundation.

The aim of the Iconic Houses organisation is to popularise knowledge about 20th-century great architectural designs, gathering documentation on them and promoting the idea of opening such buildings to the public.

Only the houses that are open as public museums can enter the Iconic Houses list.

Among the list of most beautiful houses of the 20th century, there are icons such as Antonio Gaudí’s Casa Batlló in Barcelona, Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye in Poissy, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West in Arizona, as well as the houses of Alvar Aalto in Helsinki, and Victor Horta in Brussels, Theo van Doesburg in Paris, Arne Jacobsen’s in Copenhagen and many others, all considered milestones in the history of modern architecture.

Just to look at the elaborate details is magical. The iron gates were magical wonders.

The windows, and the visible – or hidden – sculptures really kept your eyes alert.

I met with some great difficulties trying to photograph the house – high gates and impossible angles. But I hope you get a hint of the beauty of the villa. It made me long for Bacelona and Gaudí, again…

 

Wordless Wednesday

Thursday Thoughts – Things That Caught My Eye in Łódź

I love things new and things old, architecture and juxtaposition of styles. Things dilapidated, things science fiction, things…Well, maybe we all do. Hope a mix will be enjoyable this Thursday!

 

A walk in contemplation…

– as always…

The old Jewish cemetery

Abandoned places in the middle of the city

In between old and new apartments – he was selling fresh fruit and vegetables

One of the many impressive street art works – this city is considered one of the major cities in the world for graffiti artists

View from the new railway station

Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Liquid Drinks

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Liquid Drinks (hot or cold)

Cheers!

 

 

Thursday Thoughts – What Eyes Can Tell

At the Light Move Festival in September, there were astonishing light shows in the evenings. But daytime, we walked all over the city, enjoying the people and the festive feeling in every corner of the main streets.

I met many lovely people, and talked to some…when I suddenly came across a couple sitting on a colourful bench. At their feet, a gorgeous dog with fantastic fur – both colours and structure. About the size of a Labrador, but with a slender and agile appearance.

I asked if I could talk to her and feel her lovely coat.

I was allowed to do so…and bent down to touch her. Her name was Annie, only 2 years old, completely calm and harmonious.

And then – she raised her head and looked at me –

– Have you ever seen anything like those eyes? My cheek fell and I just gasped.

I tried to find out what breed she was, but as I guessed, she must have been a mix. It turned out she was from Romania, and on my question about her parents and siblings, they said they did not know…Or rather, I think they could not understand or speak enough English to answer my questions.

Again I told them what an amazing dog they had – so calm too at this young age. A precious gem. It was not easy to leave her there – and I so regret I never found out their names and address. It would have been great to follow her life further on.

Those eyes –

Unforgettable