I was in a moving bus when I spotted this lot...
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Monday, 30 July 2012
Agistri
We went to Agistri for a two day, much needed break.
Agistri is a small island of 14 square km. and because of its proximity to Athens is a popular resort for working class Athenians.
As with all the islands, it is the sea that is the main attraction, whether to look at, or to dive in
Unlike a lot of the islands Agistri is green - the whole of the island is a pine forrest
but it still does not have its own water, so this ship, this rust bucket, delivers water every day to fulfill the drinking needs of the inhabitants and the numerous tourists that descend on the island in the summer.
We stayed in Scala, the main resort.
The sea is at its best in the morning, I think - a fact that I rarely witness as I am a late riser. I took this photograph at 9:00 and there is a dreamy, misty quality to everything
it's all very calm as if waiting...
mid-day is a harsh, unforgiving time when the sun beats on you and everything becomes very clear, very defined and all you can think of is finding shade for shelter
things calm down at dusk again and the mountains (in this case of Aigina, across the sea) turn purple
and everything turns golden
and then the sun sets
and with the dying of the light
everything becomes a silhouette.
Friday, 27 July 2012
Edy Ferguson
On the second floor, so a good opportunity to walk on the ramp again
This exhibition was fun. There were installations, paintings, drawings and video. There was music being played in each area of the exhibition, starting with
Hey Jude, 1993 which was played from every single speaker on this wall
We Can All Agree, 1997. (Installation with sound and wall mural - Nirvana, Lithium - Bikini Kill, Feels Blind)
lots of cushions on the floor in every exhibition room
She's Trying to Disappear, 1998-2012
with scenes from the resistance in Athens last year
Untitled, 2003.
I loved the idea of this painting, the way her face is being stretched, melting into the glass
Travolta Sorry, 2009
Janis, 2002
Anita Pallenberg, 2003
The Greek Protester (Eau de Vie), 2010
a closer look
Baby, Baby, 2009
Nine screens, with the Supremes singing, juxtaposed with the fight between Cassius Clay and Sonny Liston.
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Monastiraki
Following a visit to the Benaki Museum on Sunday, we decided to walk to Syntagma through Monastiraki.
We were surprised to see that there was no flea market by Keramikos.
On reaching Thision we saw this banner informing us that the flea market has been moved to Agia Odos. We furthermore found out that three Sundays ago the police had cordoned the area off to prevent the market from taking place, no explanation given.
There were far more stalls than usual on Adrianou Street so I guess that some of the stall holders have moved here.
This time it wasn't just the usual stalls selling jewellery, coins and stamps, but also books, bric a brac and even bits of clothing
I like browing around here. There are still finds to be had if you look carefully and you know what you are looking for. I found a wonderful Art Nouveau Legras bowl for seven euros last year - such a find
As you walk up towards Syntagma on your left are cafeterias and restaurants. This is Kuzina which I wrote about last year here
and the Acropolis is on your right.
Moving on to Ifaistou Street, the old flea market area which is full of shops
and on to Avisinias Square which has been the centre of the antiques market in Athens from time immemorial
all the shops in the square bring their wares out during the day and particularly on Sundays
always fun looking around even though I am not into antiques anymore.
The legendary Cafe Avisinia is here too
Having left the square and back on Ifaistou Street, we came upon this guy
The next square we reached was Monastiraki Square, with this byzantine church on one side
and the old Mosque (now a museum) on the other
as well as the old electric railway station.
Next to the Mosque is the Ancient Agora with the Acropolis in the distance.
Finally, up Pandrosou Street which is where all the tourist shops are
full of the kind of tacky stuff that people buy when on holiday and then regret the minute they get home.
We were surprised to see that there was no flea market by Keramikos.
On reaching Thision we saw this banner informing us that the flea market has been moved to Agia Odos. We furthermore found out that three Sundays ago the police had cordoned the area off to prevent the market from taking place, no explanation given.
There were far more stalls than usual on Adrianou Street so I guess that some of the stall holders have moved here.
This time it wasn't just the usual stalls selling jewellery, coins and stamps, but also books, bric a brac and even bits of clothing
I like browing around here. There are still finds to be had if you look carefully and you know what you are looking for. I found a wonderful Art Nouveau Legras bowl for seven euros last year - such a find
As you walk up towards Syntagma on your left are cafeterias and restaurants. This is Kuzina which I wrote about last year here
and the Acropolis is on your right.
Moving on to Ifaistou Street, the old flea market area which is full of shops
and on to Avisinias Square which has been the centre of the antiques market in Athens from time immemorial
all the shops in the square bring their wares out during the day and particularly on Sundays
always fun looking around even though I am not into antiques anymore.
The legendary Cafe Avisinia is here too
Having left the square and back on Ifaistou Street, we came upon this guy
The next square we reached was Monastiraki Square, with this byzantine church on one side
and the old Mosque (now a museum) on the other
as well as the old electric railway station.
Next to the Mosque is the Ancient Agora with the Acropolis in the distance.
Finally, up Pandrosou Street which is where all the tourist shops are
full of the kind of tacky stuff that people buy when on holiday and then regret the minute they get home.
