Author: Ash does blog

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The Dancers, Melbourne Street

An Expo is a global event that aims at educating the public, promoting progress and fostering cooperation. It is the world’s largest meeting place, bringing together countries, the private sector, the civil society and the general public around interactive exhibitions, live shows, workshops, conferences and much more.

Bureau International des Expositions

I always wondered what exactly “Expo 88” was. It was the event that transformed South Bank from an industrial area to the thriving parkland and commerce area it is today. From April to October 1988, over 15 million visitors traveled to Brisbane to visit Expo, which included “pavilions, laser displays, fireworks, parades, concerts, the Aquacade, water skiing show, a monorail and much more”.

I was in West End the other day and happened upon these two dancers, part of a 30 year anniversary of Expo 88.

Two figures dancing in South Brisbane, next to Stefan's building.

They’re re-cast from the original fibreglass sculptires, and have a somewhat uncanny appearance. They remind me of weeping angels with those soulless eyes, but when I visited someone had dressed them up with rather fetching beads.

Close-up of the male danxer. The statue is completely white, it's a very rough texture, the eyes are empty and white.

The Human Factor series was created by Brisbane’s Artbusters in the late 1980s. The first iterations of this iconic series were installed throughout the World Expo ’88 site. The figures seen here today have been re-imaged and re-cast for the 30th anniversary of World Expo ’80, giving residents and visitors a sense of the celebration that World Expo ’88 was.

Many believe that World Expo ’88 was Brisbane’s coming of age, as the city experienced different cultures, food, lifestyle and entertainment.

The number of visits over the six months exceeded 15.7 million. On 30 October 1988, the song ‘The Carnival is Over’ was performed by the Seekers at the closing ceremony and was considered and appropriate end to Brisbane’s biggest party.

Artbusters The Human Factor series – The Dancers 2018

Two years ago on the 30th anniversary of Expo 88, Brisbane City Council set up a self-guided World Expo ’88 Public Art Trail of Expo related artworks and artefacts. There are currently 31 pieces around the city.

You can check out more about the art trail on the Brisbane Council website. I’m curious to explore more in future.

A newsstand next to the artwork reads "Come to Queensland and see the world, World Expo 88. Enquire here for tickets. Together we'll show the world."
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King George Square Signal Box, Debra Hood

As I was heading to Office Works in the city, I discovered this signal box painted in bright floral colours representing Queensland architecture and the square behind it.

A grey, concrete jungle, with a brightly coloured traffic signal box about as tall as a person. The box is covered with leafy green suburban queenslander houses with high rises in the background.

I took a quick snap because I’ve been thinking about starting a signal box database (nerd alert!) but when I looked up the artist I found she’s painted a number of signal boxes and even had work displayed on a CityCat.

I have loved architecture of all sorts since I was a child. Born and bred in Port Macquarie, NSW, I used to love driving north for family holidays and upon reaching the Clarence River region; there was a distinct shift in the style of domestic architecture. Perhaps because it marked the arrival at the holiday destination, or simply an innate love of these timber and tin houses, I become a Queenslander fan. As a response to existing on floodplains, these houses sat high and proud on strange timber stilts and were embraced by the surrounding sugarcane fields.

Then, when I moved to Brisbane in 1992, the romance of latticed verandahs shaded by mango and palm trees was an utter delight. I was totally besotted with their beautiful decorative features, history and adaptation to the hot and humid climate.

Interview With Debra Hilda Hood

I love her Queensland themes, densely packed elements and beautiful colours. You can check out more of her work over at debrahoodart.com.au.

A close-up of one of the queenslander houses, and Debra Hood's signature - @redhildahood
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Boy and Girl, Greenslopes

A statue of a boy and girl in a small plaza, a cafe and bright blue sky in the background

Boy and Girl depicts a young boy looking through his binoculars at the city while his younger sister pleads for a chance to have a look. The sculptures reference the Greenslopes Centre’s city view, the diversity of community visitors and also pupils from the school close by.

I was walking through Greenslopes and spotted this handsome pair by artist Terry Summers.

A portrait of the bronze boy and girl close-up. Boy distracted, girl pleading for a turn.
  • Artist: Terry Summers
  • Material: White bronze and granite stone
  • Installed: June 2012

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Charlie’s visit

My parents were determined to go to the wedding, so they dropped little Charlie off for a holiday on their way.

He was a really good boy, and didn’t cry when they left. I think he was more excited to play with the ball he found in the yard, although he kept rolling it under the couch where he couldn’t get it out.

What a silly boy.

It was nice having him. Though he had me on edge all the time because I was worried that he’d escape somehow. And any time I’d let him out the front he’d bark at anyone who went by, giving me a shot of adrenaline every time. I think I need more whale noises or something.

But every morning he would wake me up with his puppy dog eyes and want to play with his toys and that made everything worthwhile.

On Saturday we went out to Shorncliffe to have a bbq with the crew, Ben, Dan and Ryan.

R offered to pick us up in his schmancy sports car, so I popped Charlie in my backpack to stop him getting hair and/or put nose-prints everywhere. They both seemed to like it; Charlie cos it was an adventure and Ryan cos it was cuuuute.

I was worried we mightn’t have enough food, but that’s NEVER the case when we get together.

Ryan brought salads and skewers, Dan brought nibbly bits, and Ben went all out with one of his trademark brownies (for which I still need to return the pan). I brought buns and burger essentials, so B ablated a good 5 mm off the top of the bbq plate with pure alcohol and we fried up some bird & halloumi.

Charlie appreciated his little bit of chicken once we were done (thanks Uncle Ben).

Mum and dad came to stay after the wedding. I think hey only intended for a few days, but since they were enjoying themselves it ended up being almost a week.

Mum brought down a lot of plants she’d cultivated, and dad brought some power tools. Between them they managed to tidy up a massive amount of the garden in the thirty degree heat of spring. I feel a little guilty because I only really helped on the weekend.

Mum used the power saw to remove a bunch of scrappy old trees, poisoned some of the nasty stuff that was growing, and planted a couple of the gardens. I found some old sleepers to use as garden edges and it looks really good now.

She also uncovered a whole section up the back which I thought was just garden bed but is actually a nice bricked patio area under one of the fruit trees. I am definitely going to get a little outdoor setting and work from here on Fridays.

I think Dad enjoyed trying out my power tools, and perfectly sculpted the front lawn and verge with the trimmer, blower, and hose. This place has never looked so neat.

It was a really nice visit, and kinda felt like a holiday even though I was still working. It was just nice to spend time with my parents that wasn’t a big stress, and I think they felt the same way 🙂

Shawnie is in Scotland at the moment and he keeps sending me pictures of lochs and castles and that sort of thing. I’m very jealous and wish I could be there toooooo, but also I’m just happy that he’s getting the chance to enjoy some wilderness.

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Magpie season

Swooping bird alert. Birds may swoop in this area. this is normal defensive behaviour during the breeding season when our native birds are protecting their eggs or young in the nest. Avoid the area. Do not run. Wear a hat or carry an umbrella. Wear glasses to protect your eyes. Cyclists dismount and walk. Do not interfere with the birds or their nests as this may increase swooping behaviour.
Swooping bird alert sign
A blue bike tied up under a pole with a "swooping bird alert" sign.
My bike tied up to the pole under the sign

Went for a covid test at RBWH on Monday. Negative, thankfully. But there’s a Magpie swooping in the area.

Unfortunately this is my main route into the city and it’s hit me twice now, once on a scooter and this time on my bike. I locked it up and walked the rest of the way.

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Stones Corner

A sign reads "Norman Creek" in front of an empty grassy parkland
Norman Creek sign at Hanlon Park
A car approaches a pedestrian crossing on a quaint, tree-lined street.
Pedestrian crossing on Logan Road
A brand new, but retro looking sign stands above the entryway to Stones Corner. People are dining on the footpath, and a couple of cars roll past.
The Stones Corner sign

I was walking through the other day. Stopped by at ALDI for some cheese. Caught the train back into the city.

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Spinning Top

Work by Jarrad Kennedy, nestled between Wickham, Turbot and Boundary streets.

I caught this from the wrong side. It’s actually meant to be a toppled church dome, a reference to the namesake church at Cathedral Place which was never built.

The underside, pictured here, is a mosaic supposed to represent the reflection of the clear blue sky.

Spinning Top paid homage the unbuilt Holy Name Cathedral, which had been planned for the block at the other side of Centenary Place.

“The cathedral was to be the largest church building of any denomination in the southern hemisphere and proposed to seat some 4000 people,” Cr Cooper said.

“Unfortunately the Great Depression and a lack of funding for construction stalled the project until Duhig’s death in 1965.

Brisbane’s new public art installed
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A Colourful Valley

A traffic signal box mural by Nurul Amira Salehin, at the intersection of Wickham and Gotham streets, Fortitude Valley.

Completed date: 30 June 2018.

This artwork represents the vibrancy of Fortitude Valley which is known for it’s cafes and nightlife through big, bold and bright colours.

Nurul Amira Salehin

You also check it out on the BCC Flickr.

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Please use your elbow to open the train door

Looking out the train window. Brisbane City in the background. Sticker on the window: "Please use your elbow to open the train door"

A Queensland Rail/Translink sign on the door to a suburban Brisbane train reads:

Looking out the train window. Brisbane City in the background. Sticker on the window: "Please use your elbow to open the train door"

COVID-19 (Coronavirus: Please use your elbow to open the train door.

I caught the train back from an appointment this morning. It was fairly empty, there really aren’t many people around at the moment. In Brisbane the trains are still running normally, but buses can only be boarded from the rear.

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Baker’s Delight Lekkerbrot

Spotted at my local Australian bakery. Translated it means “delicious bread”. Although I now realise it’s the German spelling of “bread” and the Dutch spelling of “lekker” so idk.

Not sure if this is actually something specifically German since I can only really find it mentioned in the context of Baker’s Delight.