creative enlightenment Archives - Page 27 of 27

Pick Some Flower Power, Pescadero Flowery’s U-Pick

September 2, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Last weekend we went to Pescadero, a quaint little town near the ocean.

While we were having lunch a band was playing outside. All in all it was a very relaxing Sunday.

After lunch we strolled down one of their art rows, little showrooms for local artists, and at the end there is a place to pick dahlias.

The Pescadero Flowery’s U-Pick is open from June till October. Their dahlias come in two different price categories, $2 for small, $4 for the large. You’ll get a bucket, a pair of scissors and some quick instructions and off you go!

These flowers are truly natural art! You wander in the field and pick the most beautiful creations to take home. My 11 year old enjoyed choosing and picking the flowers and I believe we got a ravishing flower arrangement.

What do you think of our bouquet?
Do you have a favorite place to pick flowers?

Discover the Sound of Joy, Musical Swing

August 12, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Can you remember the last time you were on a swing? The tickle you felt going up into the sky?

Now imagine a swing that makes a pleasant sound, different by how fast you go. But it gets even better, it’s a collaborative tool to show that you can make great music working together.

In San José, at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, a new installation provides exactly this experience.

Ten seats, four instruments (piano, harp, guitar and vibraphone) and fun for all ages provided by the Musical Swing:

http://www.musicalswings.com/

A project from Daily tous les jours, an interaction design studio bringing us collective experiences in public spaces. San José is the last stop in this traveling exhibit, ending October 2, 2016.

Mixed in with airplanes and construction noise, I felt happy.

Swing on by!

When was the last time you were on a swing?

Mural, Mural on the Wall, Murals in Palo Alto

July 22, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Palo Alto might not be the first city you think of when murals are mentioned. On a closer look, the city is quite devoted to the wall paintings.

Greg Brown created magic for Palo Alto and the town put out a walking tour for his works:

www.paloaltohistory.org/the-greg-brown-murals.php

My exploration for public art in Palo Alto started at Jerry Boden Park. If you go under the train tracks there is my favorite mural of the ocean and the creatures it might have.

From here, walking on California Ave towards El Camino Real there are multiple murals on the buildings in the side streets. It was really fascinating to me that there were so many just on this little stretch.

Have you noticed any of the murals in Palo Alto?

Where the Giant Buddhas are, Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple

June 3, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Stockton might not be on everyone’s radar for a short day trip. (If you are from Stockton, I welcome comments below. )

We came from Davis and had time for a short sightseeing stop. This one was a bit hard to find but impressive nonetheless.

The Wat Dhammararam Buddhist Temple allows visitors to view their giant sculptures. I do not know the stories they depict but they made me surely curious. (Actually their website summarizes some of the stories.)

And they are truly giant!

One little girl said to a statue: “Bye. I won’t see you again.” I turned around and saw a slaughtered figure on the ground. I smiled to myself at such carefreeness.

Everyone here was smiling and waving. Truly an enchanted place.

My son even saw the soccer goddess. 🙂

Have you seen giant Buddha statues?

Art in the Park, Lincoln Park in Los Altos

May 13, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

When you drive by Foothill Expressway in Los Altos I urge you to take a break and see the public art in Lincoln Park. This is a long strip of grass with multiple sculptures.

My favorite are the three doors. I am not sure what their official name is, I think it should be three doors. They open up, so I am sure if you have little kids this can entertain them for quite some time.

I also liked the Musical Gambol, a vibrant display that unfortunately does not make any noise.

This weekend, May 14 & 15 Lincoln Park will be the location for Fine Arts in the Park, from 10 to 5:30. The Rotary Club will present over 170 artists. Proceedings go to various socially significant projects.

Do you have a favorite public art piece?

For a list of all public art in Los Alto you can visit this web page: http://www.losaltosca.gov/publicartscommission/page/public-sculpture

When it rains – enlighten yourself

April 29, 2016April 30, 2024Silvia

The day I explored Los Gatos it was raining. So, the cute upscale outdoor shopping district wasn’t too much fun.

But what is the cultivated person supposed to do when it rains? Right, go to a museum. The NUMU is a little gem. (Not only on rainy days!)

The high school exhibition Social Matters blew me away with the depth of the pieces. High schoolers from around the area painted, photographed, sculpted and wrote a piece about the art and the social matter that they were depicting.

Take for example Adi Lahav’s Fetal Position, a piece that speaks for itself.

Next was the hat exhibit, different hats with tools to make them. Although just a one room collection a very interesting look at the history of different headgear and tops.

The More Than Your Selfie exhibit has, amongst other pieces of various techniques a very emotional video from Christina Nunez.

She tells her life story and how she used selfies as a therapeutic device.

As a special treat you can buy yourself some little art from the art-o-mat. I did not have $5 in coins, but sure will bring some next time! Have you ever used an art-o-mat?

You can visit the NUMU on 106 E. Main Street, Los Gatos, CA. Opening hours are Friday to Sunday from 10 am until 4 pm.

What is your favorite museum?

Redwoods in Redwood Grove Nature Preserve in Los Altos

Where the Secret Giants are, Redwood Grove Nature Preserve

April 23, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

One of the must-sees for every visitor coming to the Bay Area are those “really big trees”. If you can, head over to Muir Woods and enjoy the short to medium hikes among the redwoods. If you like to park your car nearby you have to get there really early. Due to the micro climate it might even be a little damp.

Here in Silicon Valley there are a few patches of redwoods spread out. Notable is the walk at Redwood Grove Nature Preserve in Los Altos. This is only a short drive away, but it sure does transport you into the woods. Since this is a well kept secret you probably have the place to yourself. It is not much of a hike, just for show and tell. If you like you could have a picnic at next doors Shoup Park

Happy Earth Day! Now go hug a tree!

Do you know a good spot to see redwoods?

The difference between a Redwood and a giant Sequoia

The trees you find around here are the redwoods. A redwood is the tallest of trees and can reach heights of more than 350 feet / 107 meters. The giant sequoia is the world’s largest tree. It can grow to about 30 feet / 9 meters in diameter. To see the giant sequoia you have to go near the Sierra Nevada, as it grows only at elevations of 4,000 to 8,000 feet.

Immerse Yourself in an Art Experience, teamLab

March 5, 2016February 3, 2025Silvia

Recently I went to see the teamLab exhibition Living Digital Space and Future Parks at the Pace Art + Technology pop-up gallery in Menlo Park.

20 installations by teamLab, a Japanese new media arts collective, let you truly interact with art. Some objects react to your touch; in one you can download a web site app to control multiple plant inspired lights and another one creates a room magically filled with flowers and butterflies that surround you. But my personal highlight was the kids’ section. There are five truly interactive installations. For example your fish drawings, once scanned in, swim away. Try to touch the screen aquarium, it’s interplay!

The exhibit will run thru July 1st 2016 and is open Tuesdays – Sundays 11-7.

A great new approach to art and very fitting for Silicon Valley.

Have you seen other examples of interactive art?