It's been a while since I last posted something here and I have come bearing many stories and photographs of my adventures here in Finland.
I hear that the snow has finally come to both sides of the world finally. I was beginning to think we would reach spring without a snowflake on the ground. But none the less, the snow is falling daily and the Mother Nature can't make up her mind to be at a comfortable winter temperature or a freezing one.
But, with the snow comes new hobbies and things to see here in Turku. And with this I bring you to the day I went to watch Luca (the Australian Shepherd) and my host mother Eija in an obedience competition.
I was the only audience member... if you're not counting the concession stand lady.
Now all the dogs had to lay down for two minutes. Luca recieved 10/10 for both sitting and laying down.
Luca running towards Eija from across building while Eija motioned for him to stop.
Eija walking towards Luca after he had to run and sit in the middle of a yellow cone square. 10/10!
Look how eager he is!
Luca waiting for Eija to tell him which bone to pick up; left, right, or middle. 8/10, I guess he hesitated or something who knows...
Boe! No... not Boe. :(
And the star of the show, Luca himself! Receiving a 3rd place trophy and ribbon out of five dogs. Yippy!
The show was enjoyable enough, however, it would have been much nicer if it hadn't taken place in an unheated building. The 5 degree weather that morning was something to reckon with! Anyways, you will be glad to know that this Saturday, Luca will be in another dog competition! This one, although, is a dog show competition with dogs coming from Germany all the way south to Italy! Lot's of dogs! Should be a fun experience, AND the building is heated!
That Saturday was filled with dog competitions, cold weather, and sipping hot chocolate. The next Saturday on the other hand brought family visits and art museums!
Eija's younger brother decided to drive over from his home in Helsinki to visit and brought along his adorable two little girls! We had fun teaching each other our native language by pointing to random objects in the house and saying what they were. They do say the best way to learn another language is with children! But this game, at last, had to end and we drove to Turku's Taidemuseo (Art Museum) and got a first hand look at original paintings from Sweden's most famous painter, Carl Larsson!
First, here is a short and summarized article of Carl Larsson from Turun Taidemuseon (Turku's Art Museum website), read if you like;
The endearing world of the Swedish master Carl Larsson (1853–1919) comes alive in an exhibition in the Turku Art Museum from 16 September 2011 to 8 January 2012. Carl Larsson – Dreams of Harmonydepicts the influence of the artist’s family and surroundings on his work. The exhibition especially focuses on early paintings made in the village of Grèz-sur-Loing in France and on works created in the artist’s home in Sundborn, in the Dalarna region of Sweden. The artist captured the character of both locations and their everyday life in romanticised rural portrayals whose douceur de vivre, sweetness of life, can leave no viewer cold.
It was a turning point for Carl Larsson when he met his future wife, the artist Karin Bergöö (1859–1928), in Grèz-sur-Loing near Paris. Also Larsson’s art found a new direction in Grèz; here he adopted the French plein air painting and painted the first of many intimate pictures of his family. His masterful use of watercolour and sophisticated eye for colour earned Larsson the recognition for which he had yearned for a long time. After his return to Sweden, Larsson’s style began gradually to develop towards the linear fashion which is today considered his trademark – a manner that reflected the influences of Japanese art as well as Art Nouveau. Karin, their children and home were for Larsson a constant source of inspiration, and his works became quintessential images of idealised Swedish family life and as well as picturesque Bohemian lifestyle. Larsson and his idiosyncratic, decorative style are best known from watercolours depicting homely motifs, where time stands still in the balmy and serene mood of childhood Sundays.
The vignettes painted by Carl Larsson of his family and home life became known throughout the world in picture books. Publications such as De mina (1895, My Loved Ones), Ett hem (1899, A Home) andSpadarfvet (1906, A Farm) brought fame to the artist, his family and their home Lilla Hyttnäs. Carl and Karin Larsson were forerunners of the modern ideal of interior decoration. Their home was set apart from the typical bourgeois houses of the time with their heavy furniture and dark colours. The Larssons felt that a home should be a reflection of its occupants. They modified furniture to their liking, mixing different styles and breaking the boundaries between outdoor and indoor spaces. One important element of the interiors were modern textiles designed by Karin.
Larsson himself said that his guiding stars were lightness and happiness, even though his personality did not always reflect these values. Behind the mask of fame that grew into mythic proportions lived a discordant and sometimes melancholy artist, who met with difficulties and criticism, especially as regards his public works. The versatile Carl Larsson also illustrated numerous publications, of which the exhibition includes his superb original illustrations for Victor Rydberg’s Singoalla (1894).
Part of the official Turku European Capital of Culture 2011 programme, the exhibition is one of the highlights of the jubilee year. It is the result of several years of preparation in cooperation with theAteneum Art Museum, where works by Carl Larsson will be exhibited from 10 February to 29 April 2012. The works in the exhibition come primarily from public and private collections in Sweden. An extensive catalogue presenting Carl Larsson’s art and life will be published in conjunction with the exhibition. The Ateneum and the Turku art museums also cooperated a century ago on the first major presentation of Carl Larsson’s work in Finland, which took place in Helsinki and Turku in 1913. Larsson’s dream of harmony continues to touch people’s hearts, and new generations interpret his work in novel ways. The exhibition in the Turku Art Museum provides a unique opportunity to enjoy artistic beauty and virtuosity, and offers an intimate portrait of an artist whose goal was to paint himself into the hearts of his audiences.
It was a turning point for Carl Larsson when he met his future wife, the artist Karin Bergöö (1859–1928), in Grèz-sur-Loing near Paris. Also Larsson’s art found a new direction in Grèz; here he adopted the French plein air painting and painted the first of many intimate pictures of his family. His masterful use of watercolour and sophisticated eye for colour earned Larsson the recognition for which he had yearned for a long time. After his return to Sweden, Larsson’s style began gradually to develop towards the linear fashion which is today considered his trademark – a manner that reflected the influences of Japanese art as well as Art Nouveau. Karin, their children and home were for Larsson a constant source of inspiration, and his works became quintessential images of idealised Swedish family life and as well as picturesque Bohemian lifestyle. Larsson and his idiosyncratic, decorative style are best known from watercolours depicting homely motifs, where time stands still in the balmy and serene mood of childhood Sundays.
The vignettes painted by Carl Larsson of his family and home life became known throughout the world in picture books. Publications such as De mina (1895, My Loved Ones), Ett hem (1899, A Home) andSpadarfvet (1906, A Farm) brought fame to the artist, his family and their home Lilla Hyttnäs. Carl and Karin Larsson were forerunners of the modern ideal of interior decoration. Their home was set apart from the typical bourgeois houses of the time with their heavy furniture and dark colours. The Larssons felt that a home should be a reflection of its occupants. They modified furniture to their liking, mixing different styles and breaking the boundaries between outdoor and indoor spaces. One important element of the interiors were modern textiles designed by Karin.
Larsson himself said that his guiding stars were lightness and happiness, even though his personality did not always reflect these values. Behind the mask of fame that grew into mythic proportions lived a discordant and sometimes melancholy artist, who met with difficulties and criticism, especially as regards his public works. The versatile Carl Larsson also illustrated numerous publications, of which the exhibition includes his superb original illustrations for Victor Rydberg’s Singoalla (1894).
Part of the official Turku European Capital of Culture 2011 programme, the exhibition is one of the highlights of the jubilee year. It is the result of several years of preparation in cooperation with theAteneum Art Museum, where works by Carl Larsson will be exhibited from 10 February to 29 April 2012. The works in the exhibition come primarily from public and private collections in Sweden. An extensive catalogue presenting Carl Larsson’s art and life will be published in conjunction with the exhibition. The Ateneum and the Turku art museums also cooperated a century ago on the first major presentation of Carl Larsson’s work in Finland, which took place in Helsinki and Turku in 1913. Larsson’s dream of harmony continues to touch people’s hearts, and new generations interpret his work in novel ways. The exhibition in the Turku Art Museum provides a unique opportunity to enjoy artistic beauty and virtuosity, and offers an intimate portrait of an artist whose goal was to paint himself into the hearts of his audiences.
Carl Larsson – Dreams of Harmony is part of the Turku European Capital of Culture 2011 Programme. The exhibition is produced in cooperation with the Ateneum Art Museum, and in addition to the Turku 2011
Foundation it is sponsored by IKEA and the City of Turku.
Foundation it is sponsored by IKEA and the City of Turku.
"Turhan Tärkeys." Turun Taidemuseo. Web. 17 Jan. 2012. <http://www.turuntaidemuseo.fi/?cat=73>.
The girls and I in front of the giant Carl Larsson poster.
 |
| "Falun Home" (Notice traditional Swedish clothing) |
 |
| One of Carl Larsson's more famous water color paintings; "Breakfast Under The Birch". |
 |
| "Christmas Eve" |
 |
| One of my favorites; "Brita and I". |
 |
| "Karin By The Shore" |
 |
| "Spring Princess" |
 |
| Self-portrait |
 |
| Another favorite of mine; "Late Riser's Miserable Breakfast". |
 |
| "Flowers By The Windowsill" |
 |
| Another favorite, okay, yes I'm a fan; "Brita, A Cat, and A Sandwich". |
It was so neat to be looking at these beautiful works up close, especially since they were all originals! To think that Carl Larsson himself touched them but 150 or so years ago! Fascinating... All in all it was a great time spent admiring Larsson's works and spending time with the girls. I hope they will have other familiar artist exhibitions in the future.
I shall close this lengthy blog with pictures Emma took of me this past weekend, during our walk by the Aura River. We spent the day walking around and through Turku, beginning with some vanilla lattes from our favorite cafe, and ending the day at our favorite Thai restaurant.
Here ends another blog of my amazing adventures here in Turku, Finland. Each day I truly feel more blessed than the last to be experiencing all that I am. I hope you enjoyed this blog! Look forward to the next one which will be all about dogs. Dogs, dogs, and more dogs! Until then!
Love,
Karlee
No comments:
Post a Comment