I woke up this morning with a case of cabin fever. It was time to get out of the house. I think I have spent nearly every weekend for ages inside or at the supermarket.
My son was in a vaguely shitty mood which matched my own headachey grim demeanour and getting out of the house was a tense episode.
Firstly, I wanted to go to the art gallery to see a Salvador Dali exhibition but my son expressed a strong disinterest. Moan, moan and more moaning at the prospect of being forced to see any art. We got in the car and my mood was put onto high grump alert as I thought of what a selfish and ungrateful pratt a child can be. Always thinking about what they want, not anyone else.
But, I held my tongue and waited until my headache dissapated and my mood settled. No point in having a heated discussion about "my needs" with a twelve year old boy.
As we drove toward the city I said to him that it would mean a lot if he could put aside his obvious boredom at the prospect of seeing Salvador Dali and come in with me. He agreed, and really that was all I wanted to hear.
By the time we got into the gallery car park I had calmed down and decided that it would be best if I went to the exhibition on my own at a later date because I would want to spend a few hours walking around and listening to the audio about each painting. So we decided to just go for a meander around the gallery anyway.
My son really enjoys contemporary art, even though I don't think he realised it until we were looking at some great paintings and sculptures. His entire mood changed and his eyes were wide open at the strange paintings on show. At one point we were looking at a series of black and white photos from the 1960's, all abstract, and he was totally engrossed in them, sitting down in the semi darkness to stare at them. In the end I had to go back and get him out of the room to keep moving.
He got his wish to sit in a MacDonald's store and use his iTouch to surf the net.
We went to a cafe later in the afternoon where he indulged in a hot chocolate made with melted chocolate, cream and milk and I lied about my age. This little cafe has been around for so long. My mother used to take me there when I was a little, little girl and it was one of the few places you could get good, strong European coffee outside of home.
The decor only recently got completely updated and it now specialises in great coffee, hot chocolates and Belgian chocolates to indulge in.
During the day we came across the odd street performer. I love these ones that look like statues and move every so slightly. They stand there for so long. Street performers are so professional now, a great form of entertainment. In Winter there are not so many, but in Summer you see many of them attracting big crowds. I have to admit, it is a tough way to earn a dollar, but they do well when the crowd is big.
For the first hour in the city my son was completely into his iTouch, but after a while he decided to engage in some conversation with me. At the end of the day, nothing beats a good old chinwag.
A random shot of a happy boy as we headed back to the car to go home.
On Sunday, just near the art gallery, the city is full of market stalls. Some of the stuff on sale is okay, but most is for tourists who want some quality Australian souvenir's to take home. Personally, I would rather walk naked than wear an Akubra hat, but each to their own.
All in all, a good Sunday jaunt.
11 Squeaks:
Salvadore Dali is amazing. Although my fave is Edvard Munch. Did a paper on him. Love the whole Surrealism genre. And expressionism.
MJ:Expressionism is just such a great artistic period. In fact, from there and onwards I think art became a great topic of debate. What makes art good or great. Dali always seemed a wee bit commercial savvy. Munch always a tortured soul. I am reading great book on Expressionism at the moment.
Searching for my artistic information and knowledge...Ah its in this thimble, rattling around. plenty of room left over I see.
I go by the "I know if I like it when I see it" art savy!
Nice pictures of your journey today.
Your description of the coffee and chocolates was making my mouth water. Sounds yummy. Great to expose your son to the art.
What a cute post--I love the mother/son bonding, and your son seems like such a good little guy. Good job with him!
Ray: Ah, well, knowledge of anything is a constant pursuit. Utimately, we all have little thimbles full of little bits of knowledge.
dbcooper: There are a few of these chocolate coffee shops opening around the place. You can have a nice coffee and then an incredibly expensive teeny chocolate to indulge. I love them. My son goes begrudgingly along and then finds out he enjoys it. Funny that.
Linda Lou: He is pretty good. Easy going - especially when he had his music going on and had to lip read what I was saying.
i'm with your son. zzzz museums. the moment i arrive, i start daydreaming about leaving.
glad you enjoyed your day off. yes, we all need them - a lot. and, of course, you look 34. that's what i would have guessed. great pictures of you, by the way.
munch was a tortured soul - exactly why i bond with his art. why i see and appreciate it.
Lissy: I think you either are or are not a museum person. I love them, that and galleries I could spend hours in.
I look 34 - you are now my other best friend Lissy.!
MJ: Interesting how well he expressed his angst. I think one has to. That is why blogging is good. No one judges you. They listen and accept. Art is the same.
how come no one has commented on you being naked as opposed to wearing a style of hat????
Deborah: Maybe nobody wants to think of me being naked. You know, keep it quiet and it won't happen.
I think that it would be liberating to just walk down the street naked without a care in the world. Of course, by the time I get the courage up to actually do it, it won't be particularly pleasing for anyone to witness.
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