Lady Budd

Giants by OSGEMEOS

“Every city needs art, and art has to be in the middle of the people.”
OSGEMEOS

Every year, Ocean Concrete welcomes visitors to an open house, which grants close access to the six towers, each measuring 70 feet tall. The Giants, once drab gray silos, now feature colorful giants painted on them. Three of the silos face the Ocean Concrete plant while the other half faces False Creek and the boats that pass by.

OSGEMEOS, the Brazilian twins Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo, completed the project in 2014. The Giants are now a Vancouver landmark, welcoming visitors to Granville Island.

Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo, are renowned graffiti artists who have been active since 1987. Their signature style has had a significant impact on the Brazilian graffiti scene and has been recognized worldwide. The duo’s work can be found in various locations across the globe, including Asia, Europe, and North and South Americas. Their murals grace walls, buildings, and even airplanes. OSGEMEOS has collaborated with several artists and organizations, including Nike, and has been featured in numerous exhibitions and art festivals.

OSGEMEOS has inspired countless artists and has helped to elevate graffiti into a respected art form. Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo continue to create new pieces and push the boundaries of their craft, cementing their place as one of the most influential graffiti artists of our time.

“For the Vancouver Biennale, OSGEMEOS created a monumental, 360-degree, 21-metre- (70-foot-) tall mural, the biggest public mural of their career to date and their public artwork debut in Canada. The mural, which measures a colourful 2,183 square meters (23,500 square feet), was created on the six gigantic silos that are part of the Ocean Concrete manufacturing and distribution plant on Vancouver’s Granville Island…” Vancouver Biennale

Homecoming

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
T. S. Eliot, Four Quartets: A Poem

Belonging is a fundamental human need. It is the feeling of being accepted, valued and supported by a group of people. We seek belonging because it provides us with a sense of security and identity. When we belong, we feel like we are part of something bigger than ourselves.

Finding a home is a natural extension of seeking belonging. A home is a place where we feel safe and comfortable. It is where we can be ourselves without fear of judgment. Having a home gives us a sense of stability and permanence. It is a place where we can create memories and build a life.

These were my thoughts upon returning from our recent travels.

We travel to explore and seek adventures, to fulfill a desire to learn and experience new perspectives. But there is a time to return home, buoyed with fresh knowledge that we are involved in a greater journey.

Life gives us many homecomings where we can reconnect with friends and relive cherished memories in a place where journeys meet.

Art Brings Us Hope

Art is a reminder that, even during an uncertain and complex time, there is reason for hope.

The Covid-19 pandemic, within a few short weeks, changed the world in which we live. The virus affected every aspect of our lives, from the way we work to the way we socialize.

One of the most significant of changes was the way we interacted with each other. Social distancing measures became the norm. We became more more cautious about physical contact. There was an accelerated shift towards remote working. This had a profound impact on our mental health and well-being. The pandemic highlighted the importance of having a robust healthcare system and the need for governments to invest in public health.

Artists responded to the pandemic in various ways. Some used their art as a form of expression to convey their emotions and experiences during this time. Others used their art to raise awareness and educate the public about the virus. Urban public spaces were transformed during this time with messages of hope through murals. Artists adapted and explored ways in which to continue creating and sharing their art with the world.

Art created during the Covid-19 pandemic continues to endure.

A few days ago, I walked passed a mural by Will Phillips, a Vancouver-based artist. The cold and rainy day was transformed by the vibrant colours that celebrated health care professionals. Originally located at 965 Granville Street, the mural has found a home near Vancouver General Hospital.

Thank you for joining me on a rainy day in Vancouver!

I will be taking a short break from blogging and podcasting to head out into an adventure. I and will be back soon and look forward connecting over the blogosphere. During this time, comments will be closed. Thank you for your understanding.

Earth Day April 22, 2023

You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Jane Goodall

Earth Day is a global event celebrated annually on April 22nd. It is a day to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote actions to protect the planet. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 and since then, it has become a worldwide movement with millions of people participating in various activities to support the cause.

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22nd to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage people to take action to protect our planet. It was first celebrated in 1970 and has since grown into a global movement.

The celebration of Earth Day is important because it reminds us of the impact our actions have on the environment and the need to take steps to reduce our carbon footprint. By celebrating Earth Day, we commit to living sustainably – using resources in a way that meets the needs of today without compromising future generations. Buy less, walk more, reduce waste, conserve energy. Every act, however small, makes a difference.

Today is April 23, 2023. The celebration continues.

Who has Seen the Wind? By Christina Rossetti

Welcome to Poetry in the Evening

Who Has Seen the Wind?” is a poem written by Christina Rossetti. The poem is a contemplation on the mysteries of nature and the human experience.

Christina Rossetti uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the elusive nature of the wind and its impact on the world around us. Through her words, she invites the reader to ponder the fleeting and intangible aspects of life that are often overlooked.

Who Has Seen the Wind?
by Christina Rossetti

Who has seen the wind?
Neither I nor you;
But when the leaves hang trembling,
The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?
Neither you nor I;
But when the trees bow down their heads,
The wind is passing by.

Until next time we meet, dear friends, keep reading and reciting poetry.

Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal Quebec

Happy Easter

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

Notre-Dame Basilica is a stunning basilica situated in the historic district of Old Montreal, Quebec, Canada, located at 110 Notre-Dame Street West, at the corner of Saint Sulpice Street. The church faces the Place d’Armes square.

Designed by architect James O’Donnell and built in 1824, the basilica is known for its Gothic Revival architecture, which features intricate details and stunning stained glass windows. The Basilica underwent several renovations and expansions over the years. Today, it stands as one of the most iconic landmarks in Montreal, attracting visitors from all over the world.

One of the most notable features of the Notre-Dame Basilica is its Casavant Frères pipe organ. This impressive instrument dates back to 1891 and boasts four keyboards, 92 stops using electromagnetic action, and an adjustable combination system. With 7000 individual pipes and a pedal board, the organ is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and engineering.

Inside the basilica, visitors can admire the grandiose altar, and the beautiful statues and paintings. The atmosphere is serene and peaceful, making it a perfect place for reflection and prayer. Notre-Dame Basilica provides a glimpse into Montreal’s rich history and culture.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Peace Prayer of Saint Francis