Inspired by FOAM

I took some time for myself one day this week and did the things that I really like. First I went sweating to a local pilates & dance studio and did the essentrix workout. After stretching, following the choreography and working out I felt like a new person, full of energy. This type of exercise wakes up my blood circulation and I feel energetic the whole day afterwards. Maybe I was too sweaty and my outfit was not so suitable for a museum visit, but I really wanted to go to the Foam-museum, which is the right place to see the works made by old and new, well known or not so well known photographers. After focusing sport in the morning I was ready to feed my visual hunger. 

This time I concentrated more on the photo collection and the story behind the great french photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue(1894-1986). His colourful photos (Life in Colour) made me happy. He is also very well known from his black and white photography. Lartique started to take more colour pictures in 1950's when the new technology made it finally possible. His beloved wife "Florette" is the main character in most of the pictures. The clothing, the scenes and the captured moments are documenting beautifully the almost surreal looking life of this couple and painting the picture of the elegant past.

I took few photo's with my mobile at the museum (sorry about the quality), but visit the website above for more information and inspiration. This is a lovely, small museum to visit in Amsterdam. Really a must! 

Actually I was so interested of the life story of this great photographer, that I went shortly back to the museumshop today and bought the book about Lartique. 

People are often capable to much more than we think and every person has something special...something that doesn't come necessarily very easily out to be seen for others. I like that the vulnerability and the sensitive part in people is sometimes more visible in that short moment, which is captured by a good photographer or by a painter. 

There was also very interesting photos taken by Franceca Woodman (1958-1981)to be seen at the museum. She was an american photographer, who committed suicide at the age of 22. She herself was a subject in most of her photos, even she also used some other models to express her feelings. The naked body, sometimes partly covered or partly hidden behind the objects or breaking through from a big piece of paper. You can see the pain behind these photos. The contrast between the happy photos from Lartique and these somehow raw, vulnerable, violent and still beautiful pictures was huge. Hard to look at, but she wanted to be seen with her pain. There seemed to be a lot of chaos in her mind, but I guess she tried to work on her issues by making these photos and videos.

I walked along the Amstel river on my way to a tram stop. I was admiring the grey and cold winter scenery. It is good to see the beauty in dark colours too. We need contrasts, but the balance is important to find. Greetings from the river!

The Magere bridge on the back.

Follow the orange!

I was following my instinct today and went to see the late autumn blossom at Museumplein (museum square). I don't like when it's too busy and touristic there, but the crowd usually stays near the huge Amsterdam letters and take photos there. I went to more quiet place just around the Rijksmuseum: the garden of the museum. It is a nice  big area with a lot of surprising elements. You can make the whole round and see the museum from every ankle.

Lisää kuvateksti

This couple will be dancing here in every weather. The sculpture is a copy from a work by Adriaen de Vries.

There is art everywhere in this garden. Joan Miro has made this huge  work and it's for the first time ever exhibited here. He got the inspiration for this "Lunar bird" from prehistorian or pre-Columbian art.

Everyone wants to jump in this shower. The trick is that the water comes from different parts in different times and in the end the whole circle is closed. Then you are surrounded with this spraying water. I went there in the summertime with the kids, but now I just drank my coffee and had fun by watching the other people. There is a cute cafe called " Tuin Huis" just beside the fountain.

Some people are already talking about Christmas, but watching this indian summer and colourful flowers keeps me a long time protected from all that fever. The Colour of the day suits to Halloween, but that is really not my tradition. Maybe we will make some pumpkin soup, but otherwise no plans. So I just follow the orange in my own way.

Autumn is the most beautiful season to me. I like the feeling of change and how quick that process happens in nature. You have to be aware, otherwise you will miss it. This is the time to collect some energy for the dark season. I seem to be using every chance to go outside and breathe the earthy smelling air. 

The game is ready for the next players and I am ready for the weekend! I followed the orange and the orange followed me. I found some nice flowers to take home from the flower kiosk near us.

Hortus Botanicus

Autumn holiday is soon over, but the most relaxing and inspiring day  was today at the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam. I took so many pictures. It will be difficult to choose which ones I will add to this post.

De Hortus is located at Plantage Middenlaan, east side of the centre, near the zoo (Artis). It is one of the oldest botanic gardens in the world. There are several greenhouses where you can see plants from all over the world and sense different climate. 

There were so many plants that I stopped following the descriptions after a while. It was great to walk and breathe the air in every space and in the garden. The most beautiful room for me was where the big family of cactuses were living. A cool room after tropical heat. I loved the contrast of these spiky plants and the stony surroundings. 

We admired the small butterflies in one glasshouse. You could see many of them quite close and I captured a few of these with my camera. They looked so fragile and one butterfly was like made of the thinnest glass in the world. 

The shape of the garden area is like a triangle beside a canal. The sandy paths between the trees and plants are curvy. This is a big difference compared to the fact, that this cute and great spot of nature is surrounded with busy streets. If you want to take a break, this is a good tip.

This was just so amazing place. A perfect spot to meet a good friend, have a walk, talk, drink coffee and visit a charming museum shop. 

Because of the school holiday, it was possible to make your own piece of art from natural materials. I also read from their brochure, that in december de Hortus is taking part to Light Festival (10 dec 2015 - 3 jan 2016). This garden must be seen in every season. Have a good weekend!!