Treasure

Though there was much treasure to be found in and around Umea (much of it in the Hemslojdens shop) just a couple of small things found their way home with me.

 

These short, handmade birch (of course) needles were such a great find that I was sorely tempted to buy a pair in every size.  I didn't.  We'll see how useful these are and perhaps I'll make a list of more sizes when a further visit to Umea is scheduled - maybe later in the year.

I've tried to find a link to the small but very comprehensive knitting shop where I bought them, or to the makers themselves, but sadly no joy. 

Of course, I couldn't leave the Hemslodjens store empty handed and fell for this book of terrific wristwarmer patterns.  In Swedish.  Crochet.  Do I speak Swedish?  No.  Can I crochet?  Well.....not very well.  So, we have the next challenge!

Art and Elk

We knew, as soon as we spotted 160 mens jackets hanging in the trees, that we'd arrived at the Umedal sculpture park!  Actually, this proved to be one of our favourite images of the park for wherever we were, that interesting line cut through the trees and caught our eye.  Each jacket was different, each one connected to its mate by the sleeves, forming quite a chummy kind of conga party in the tree tops. (Kaarina Kaikkonen, A Path 2004)

 

Looking around in the area marked for an Antony Gormley figure (Another Time VIII, 2007), we ought to have known where to look.  As it was, it took us some minutes...

We weren't really looking for #1 on our map but Tra spotted it from afar and couldn't quite believe her eyes until it dawned on her that this too was an exhibit.(Lin Peng, A New Perspective, 2004)

So began the conversation.  Is this art or is it something left by a worker?  (Art: Roland Persson, Untitled painted bronze)

Spot the art here: the orange is art, the rest building work (Mats Bergqvist, Flip 2006)

The art didn't finish when we left the sculpture park, because the road to the Elk Farm was named the "Art Route" and we had a couple of items to look out for.  We nearly missed the first: a small brick built hearth in a wooded corner of a layby.  The second was somewhat easier to spot - not only did we now know how these things were signed, we'd seen plenty of images of the broken glass church and felt sure that this one qouldn't be so easy to miss.

As it was, the signs were almost larger than the church itself, which was pretty small and insignificant among the birch trees.  After such riches this morning, we ticked this one off pretty quickly and moved on.

To the elks.

To seven youngsters, less than a month old.  Very friendly and rather cute.

and four rather larger members of their family.  Gentle, slow and partial to a banana or two, they were surprisingly large and overpowering close up.  We enjoyed our encounter though.

Finally, at last, we got to see the Open Source Embroidery exhibition which offered loads of food for thought.  We had images bluetoothed to our phones, read 2D barcodes (remember this?) and saw plenty of things which set our minds reeling and, in my case, needing explanation from the more IT conversant partner.

It was a hugely thought-provoking exhibiton but both of us actually preferred the more conventional centenary craft co-op exhibit next door, which I got to see for a second time.

Home tomorrow with lots to think about, a few treasures from the trip and both of us ready for a dark night or two.

Just for the record (well, CD actually)

I joined Mark at the Operahouse this morning, where Tra was recording again.  I sat, sketchbook in hand and enjoyed the opportunity of making my own record of the event and found it interesting to be a passive observer.  

 

We'd speculated on the life of a professional musician more than once, noting how carefully members of the orchestra warmed up, taking as much care of themselves as their instrument.  I was particularly impressed by the chairs they were using, each infinitely adjustable for back support.  No H&S quibbles here - except, did anyone adjust their chair?  Not whilst I was there! (Let's assume they all did that yesterday and ensured that they used the very same chair today, shall we?)

I left Mark, Tra and the orchestra at lunchtime, originally intending to have another go at seeing the Open Source Embroidery exhibition, but having discovered the website held incorrect information, will leave that till tomorrow.  Instead, I took advantage of the first fine (ish) weather and explored the city a little.  By the river, a man was using a chainsaw to sculpt a pair of tree stumps - one was finished and he was a good way into the second.

But I have to say, I prefer the tree in its natural state.  What do you think?

The other activity taking place all over the city was the planting out of summer bedding.  The growing season is so short here, one would think that it's hardly worth the effort.  Not so.  There are colourful annuals in abundance and those outside the tourist office in the national colours were especially pretty.

 With Tra's part in the recording finished, we have a free day tomorrow and called in to get some advice about "must sees" in the area.  After some close questioning, we came away with several brochures, more maps and a sketchy plan: first to the Umedalen Sculpture Park, then along the Konstvagen to Bjurholm and the Algens Hus.  My plan is to get back to Umea in time to visit that embroidery exhibition!

It's now 10.30pm here and we are still amazed by the effect of the long daylight hours.  Looking out of our window on the 13th floor, we can see (and hear!) a crowd enjoying some live music on a floating restaurant, people walking, jogging and returning from a boat trip downriver.  A couple of chaps wearing high-vis jackets have just corralled a bunch of cross country runners for the start of a race and some of the spectators are pushing buggies with young children.  In a real-world version of one of those Richrd Scarry "Busy World" pictures, there's a train crossing the bridge, a plane taking off from the airport and cars moving through the town.

No wonder nothing happens till lunchtime!

The night time challenge

OK, perhaps these are not the easiest of windows to dress, but it would be good if the midnight sunshine was not quite so apparent!

The strange thing is that, in spite of true daylight at midnight, all the streetlights are switched on.  We note (and admire) the Swedish habit of saving energy by only lighting areas when there is immediate need - museum lights only switch on as one enters a particular area, for example, and turn off automatically the minute the room is empty.  And yet, at the same time as UK councils decide to switch off street lighting to save energy, here the lights shine on regardless.

Or perhaps there is a need to somehow communicate the changing days? 

Names

Way back when I first started teaching, I eavesdropped on a conversation between four 13 year olds who were wondering why all the screwdrivers in the toolbox belonged to Stanley. 

The answer is here btw

Today, I'm thinking it cute that the hairdryer in our room is called Edward, especially with the crown.

I thought it was only IKEA who named inanimate objects.