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...feed your soul with art & creativity!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

It's Raining Art!

In keeping with a theme here where every afternoon we have been having rain showers, (keeping me from my afternoon swim!), I decided to follow up on a fairly new art installation which has shown up in Águeda, Portugal this week.  These photos were taken by photographer Patricia Almeida.  But there is no information specifically out about who actually installed this gorgeous umbrella art installation online (and since I'm no where near Portugal, I cannot just do a Mary Poppins and pop on over to find out more about it in person.) 

Photograph (c) Patricia Almeida, umbrella artwork (c) unknown
Águeda, Portugal (used for educational purposes)
Wow!  What a punch of color!! Isn't that astoundingly fun and beautiful?  And USEFUL.  I certainly could have used something like this to inspire me to continue trodding along St. George Avenue in St. Augustine two weekends ago.  What a fantastic way to combine art with function and to enliven an area.  Who wouldn't be inspired and enjoy this astounding visual cornucopia? 
Photograph (c) Patricia Almeida, umbrella artwork (c) unknown
Águeda, Portugal (used for educational purposes)

The brightly hued umbrellas were installed with wires above the street.  As an artist, the curiosity of who might have placed them there is tickling my mind.  Perhaps it is a form of guerrilla artwork?  Perhaps it is a (very smart!) ploy by the city of Agueda to garner some much needed interest and possible tourist attention? 

Perhaps it is an artist that was inspired by Dale Chihuly's large scale blown glass installations like this one here or others that have been seen in conservatories, gardens and museums around the world?

Artwork (c) Dale Chihuly, (c) photograph unknown.
Used for educational purposes only.
Perhaps the artist is Ingo Maurer,who created this lovely, lighted all white umbrella art installation?

Artwork (c) Ingo Maurer, (c) photograph unknown.
Used for educational purposes only.
Or perhaps it is the same artist, also unknown, who created this delightful red umbrella installation?

(c) Unknown artist and photographer.
Used for educational purposes only.
 Maybe the artist is the same one who placed these pastel lovelies in this location in Shanghai?

(c) unknown artist and photographer. Shanghai. Used for educational purposes only.
Perhaps Tasos Savva decided to take a vacation from Greece where this unusual transparent beach umbrella art installation was done and decided Portugal required some brightening up?

Artwork (c) Tasos Savva, (c) Photograph, unknown. 
Used for educational purposes only.
Maybe the Portugal umbrella art installation was the next brainchild of Sam Spenser, who strategically placed these delightful buttercup yellow umbrellas in this otherwise defoliated tree?

Artwork (c) Sam Spenser, (c) Photograph unknown.
Used for educational purposes only.
 Perhaps the artist will not become known.  In any case, many thanks should be given to ALL of these artists for taking something so mundane as umbrellas and utilizing them to create inspirational, intriguing and fanciful artworks that capture the imagination.  I know I love 'em.  Maybe I can find a way to do something umbrella-istic of my very own.  Hmmm.  See? Now my mind is wandering and churning out thoughts.  Time to jot down some notes on possibilities--this is one reason I love art so very much--it never ceases to cause my synapses to fire and new ideas to crop up.  Have an inspired day!
(c)SZing and Bohemian Art Cafe, 2012.