Sculptures by the Sea 2017

This past Thursday was the only day this week that the weather was forecast to be decent so I headed to Bondi. I had wanted to take my visitors to the 2017 Sculptures by the Sea exhibit when they were here, but the weather was so cool and breezes that it would not have been fun. So we had just spent a short time seeing Bondi Beach proper.

This Thursday I took my "Opal Card" (the metro-pass card system in Australia) and went out to Bondi. The high was forecast to be 79 degrees Fahrenheit and fairly sunny, and I was not disappointed. To get to Bondi from my home by public transportation, you get on a bus just down the hill from the friary and ride it into downtown Sydney. then you go for a short walk to the train station, board a train to Bondi Junction, two stops away. From there you take another bus to the beach of Bondi (from the junction of the same name). It takes over an hour (1.40) but it’s fun not having to drive it. For me, it's like going on an adventure. But everyone must have had the same idea as traffic from Bondi Junction to the beach was terrible! All “chockablock” as they say here, meaning “bumper to bumper.” I ended up getting off the bus early, and walking the last part, as it was all downhill anyway.

The sculptures are a yearly temporary exhibit. (I think this is my third year in a row going.) They are set up along this walkway that hugs the cliffs by the beach. There’s a large assortment of sculptures usually up top, on this bluff park there, and that’s where I mainly focused this year.

When you come up, the first thing that caught my eye is this green wavey thing reaching up to heaven (photo 1). As you can see by the people around it, it’s pretty tall! Nearby is this wired orb (2) and this collection of what looks like car doors with wheels (3). This piece is my favorite one of the exhibit (4-6). I liked its size and shape. And look at the size of this piece—and this is a temporary exhibit (7)! Lots of works seemed to echo the waves in the background (8-12).

Some sculptures also used the existing landscape/trees as part of the art (13-15). I love this abstract piece that frames the ocean behind it (16). This work was called “Mr. A” and looked like something from one of Salvador Dalí’s paintings come to life (17). These others seem to come from his melting clock painting (18-19). I love the colors in this one; the work seemed to glow with an inner light in the radiance of the sun (20). Look at the beauty of the scenery behind these works of art (21-23). Looking at the works, we can sometimes forget the nature that inspires us!

I end with a collection of photos of the rest of the pieces (24-34). Some are just weird (26); I don't get the juxtaposing of figures from different worlds. Perhaps that was the point of the artist! Here's a panorama of the hilltop park and sculptures (35).

I decided to hike back to the center of Sydney to catch a direct bus back to Kellyville. It was a three mile hike or so, but the temperature was delicious. The day was still sunny, with a cool soft breeze so it was no problem. Except for the fact that it was all up hill! No joke, it seemed to be all up, and up, and up! (The next day I awoke with a stiff lower back from all the hiking!).

Along the way I took some photos of these strange and wonderful flowers (36) and these ancient looking trunks (37-38) and the jacaranda trees that bloomed everywhere (39-41). This last photo of a jacaranda is from our parish (42). We have a huge tree just on the street as you pull into the church. Finally, we have a lovely star jasmine row that is in full bloom (43-44). Look how many flowers opened all at once! I wish I could send you its scent!