Inspired by | Light

Inspired by: a monthly challenge by Riikka Kovasin and Marsha Valk

Hi there! It’s January, it’s the 10th… It’s time for the first Inspired by of 2016!

Inspired by is a monthly challenge. My friend Riikka and I decide on a theme (and that theme can be anything from a film, a book, a painting, to an item, colour scheme or material) and then we create something with that theme or thing in mind.

When we were discussing themes a while back, we both agreed that January’s theme had to be ‘easy’. So no books or films, but something ‘light’, like… Well we really didn’t know! We decided to think about it for a couple of days.

I don’t remember how many days it took, but one day as I was planning a light-bulb went on in my head. I was going to write ‘Inspired by: something light’. And then I thought… hmmm… LIGHT! So ‘light’ it is!

I took my time coming up with my take on it though. I was thinking lamp, or something lightweight or maybe something about winter darkness/light.

But I also happened to have video-making on my mind… Creative video-making, but not necessarily the craft kind, if you know what I mean.

I would love to explore and learn more, so I’ve recently signed myself up for a course. And you know that the French word for light is lumière, right?! As in the Lumière brothers, the first film makers in history!

So in my mind it became plausible to make a video for this Inspired by. The course hasn’t started yet, but I have already started to record some footage for when I need it.

Last Thursday we visited Antwerpen and whilst we were driving into the city, I saw this poster that said ‘Anselm Kiefer’. I couldn’t read the rest, so I googled it: there was a free exhibition of one of his works in the former Raamtheater. So we decided to go see it!

We had no idea where or what the former Raamtheater was, so that was an unexpected bonus. That’s why I love following my curiosity: you just never know what gem you might find!

Please remember that I didn’t record the footage with publication in mind. You will see that I don’t seem to have a steady hand and that the quality is poor. But hey… I have to start somewhere!

https://youtu.be/HT3V3zmofWY

I can’t wait to see what Riikka has come up with! Be sure to visit her at Paperiliitin!

140217 Antwerp

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On Monday morning I took the train to Antwerp. Klari was waiting for me at the top of the stairs.

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We wandered the city with regular coffee intervals.

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The weather was beautiful. We even had one of our coffees at a cafe terrace!

We stumbled upon a couple of remarkable shops, stood at the zoo gate (and decided not to go in), saw lots of people in Jewish attire and admired beautiful Art Nouveau buildings.

It was extremely quiet, even in the city centre, where we headed after I took that last photograph in Zurenborg.

Harold joined us in the evening and after dinner it was time to head back home (because Tuesday was a regular work day for all of us…). But what an extraordinary start of the week!

131124 Antwerp

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Did a little bit of shopping, but steered clear of the busy shopping streets for the most part. Found quite a few hidden gems. Closed the day with a delicious Moroccan feast at Fez. Had a really good day!

Red

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From Antwerp with love!

Had a lovely day, bought new red shoes at my favourite shoe store*, ate wonderful food and walked quite a distance.

Will share the #leftovergrams tomorrow!

* Not red… I just couldn’t justify another pair of red shoes. Not even for this post!

The August Break 2013

Summer is here!

Saturday in Zwolle

We’ve had a busy weekend… with quality time with friends and family, some shopping, a fair bit of walking and lots of wonderful sunshine!

Sunday in Antwerp

It was like being on stay-cation all over again. But with better weather!

Now, if you need me… I’ll be in my garden!