Marjolein, being my photographer for this shoot, spotted this vivid image at the restaurant of the Voorlinden estate and museum. She called me back to take this photo as I was already on my way in, absolutely not noticing this photo opportunity. I was following the smell of cappuccino. I am glad she has such a good eye. The colours of the picture enhance my outfit of bright blue trousers with a pink top. I decided to pile on pearls.
Marjolein and I decided to pay a visit to this modern museum and see the exhibition of Ron Mueck sculptures. He makes life-like sculptures to such detail that you think they are real humans even when you are centimetres away from one. Sometimes they are life-size, sometimes they are tiny and sometimes they are enormous. Which is why you will see me in all the photos of his work. It is to indicate the size.
Below: Let’s start with a shocker. Good morning!
Below: At least she had a bathing suit on. I was dying to touch it and see whether the artist had put a real bathing suit on her or whether it was part of the sculpture.
I wasn’t allowed to touch so I didn’t (I am very law abiding). Later I realised “of course it is sculptured, you idiot.”
Below: Not a flattering photo of my back but the sculpture is too good not to include. (And when do I stop slouching!!)
Below: The whole room (big one) was filled with these skulls, all different from one another.
Below: This enormous sculpture is one of his best-known works. I had seen most of his sculptures before, years ago in Paris, where I went with my friend Lia for a weekend. We came out of the underground and saw the exhibition across the road. “Why not take a look?” We had never heard of the artist or his work.
Below: Another good one. I am not in the photo this time. Coincidence: the man behind the sculpture is also crossing his arms.
Below: I couldn’t help it. I had to lie down haha. Got a lot of strange looks from the other visitors. This photo also shows the silver flats well.
Below: Marjolein asked me to assume the same position as the sculpture. Again, I was sooo tempted to touch the sheets (I didn’t). Are they real sheets? NO OF COURSE NOT.
Below: The hair! What a painstaking work. And the expression of the baby! So good.
The hair is put in perhaps not one by one, although sometimes it is, but still little bit by little bit.
Below: Time to photograph Marjolein who was wearing a stylish combination.
Below: Larger than life size, much larger. Wouldn’t like to come across these hounds in real life.
Below: You see how close you can get to the sculptures?
Above are all the sculptures I have photographed. If you want to see more or want to know more about Ron Mueck, here is a link to his work, the video is really good.
Below: We also came across this clock by Maarten Baas. Somebody inside the clock wipes away the hands of the clock and then draws them again, a minute later. And so on and so on. Of course, there isn’t anybody in the clock anymore but that is how they recorded it. Another painstaking work. Read more about it here. I have been to his exhibition as well, in 2017 (link to blog post with Maarten Baas’ work).
Below: Then there was a swimming pool that wasn’t a swimming pool. You see those people ‘under water’? They aren’t.
Below: This is me ‘under water’. It is a work of art by Leandro Erlich. Read more about it here.
Below: Having seen the exhibition and watched the video how Ron Mueck created his sculptures we were ready for some coffee. So, we headed outside to the beautiful estate building.
Below: Before we stepped inside, Marjolein took this photo.
Below: And in return I took this photo. Marjolein managed to find a pair of trousers which matched the colour of the jacket exactly. And if you think “No, they are a little lighter”, that is only because of the sunlight on the material. The trousers are fabric and the jacket is leather. They were really the same shade. She didn’t even have the jacket with her when she bought the trousers. I can never remember colours.
The cappuccino in the restaurant was one of the best I ever had. And when we expressed our desire to buy the cake of which we got a little complimentary slice with our coffee, the waitress came back with 4 more slices and apologised that they didn’t sell it. That’s service.
Below: On our way out we spotted these Belted Galloway cows. We saw one of them standing in the middle of the water and we were debating “Is that normal? Or can’t she get out?”
To set our minds at ease, I phoned Voorlinden reception. “No problem”, was the answer, “she is having a little cool-down”. Poor receptionist. How many of such calls does she have to answer daily? LOL
Below: This must have been the gatekeeper’s house in the old days.
It was another joyful day.
What happened in my life this week
Saturday we had our annual Street Party. The weather gods were kind to us, warm but not too warm, and we accepted the wind. As usual it was ‘gezellig‘, a typical Dutch word that cannot be translated in any language. It means nice, warm, cosy, friendly, funny, comradery and much more. One of my neighbours took this photo and blurred the other people behind me. Looks a bit funny, as if I am photoshopped into the picture, but it is real.
For the first time we actually went ahead and put stickers with our first name and house number on our shirt. A lot of neighbours moved away so there were quite a few new faces. I think it helps when you wear such a sticker.
Below: This is the outfit I was wearing. Link to the original post. I changed the belt, the white top, the jewellery and the bag. These trousers are the same as the pink ones you saw last week.
Below: Outfit Sunday to visit my brother and his children plus grandchildren for my SIL’s birthday. This outfit could have featured in a separate blog post but there you go, I am throwing in a new one for free. LOL
Unfortunately, Ron got really ill as I just about arrived so I only enjoyed the gathering for an hour and then headed back. It is an hour and 40 minutes’ drive. On the bright side, Ron recovered fast and was up and about the next day.
Below: On one of my bicycle rides I saw the view from this bridge again. I have featured it before. Isn’t it pretty?
Delivered a specimen of my urine to the hospital as I am investigating whether I am eligible for a urethra support strap (as I call it). I am losing only one or two drops of urine and certainly not every day, but I am getting annoyed with even 1 drop a week. The pelvic floor exercises helped a lot but I couldn’t get it to 100%. And 100% is what I want. The urine delivery went very quick. Driving to and from the hospital plus peeing in the little container took me half an hour. Speedy Gonzales. To be continued.
Some people might consider this TMI (too much information), but I deliberately mention it, so other women can perhaps profit from it. We hardly ever speak of these things, just as we don’t mention menopause and we really need to share more information. A number of bloggers in their midlife do talk about their menopause struggle but I cannot. 1) I am past it and 2) I hardly had any symptoms. I was very lucky, most women aren’t.
Below: Marcella came round for coffee and lunch. She had been cycling through the Netherlands with her daughter for a week. They obviously have had nice weather.
Marcella was wearing a jumpsuit, had dyed her hair (she is going back to blonde as she doesn’t like it) and forgot to put earrings in. The woman who creates and sells earrings, forgot to put earrings in. How is this possible?
Below: Jilske sent me this photo of Errol, on his way to Spain. That bird has a much better life than with me.
Below: They visited Marijke in Spain and Errol is drinking her wine. In the evening I received a video of Marijke reading a bedtime story to Errol. That bird is a source of pleasure.
Below: Did a photo shoot with Loes. With coffee afterwards, of course. She only had time in the morning which was fine with me. I even prefer that as the light is so much better in the morning.
Looked after our grandchild for two days this week. We took her to a playground and she loved it.
Greetje
Thank you for this wonderful blog. Art, fashion, pee issues, parrot adventures, and friends with style and a sense of humor were all there for me to enjoy. I am lucky to have found your blog years ago.
Thank you very much. And I am lucky that you have found my blog and appreciate its contents. Blogging is my hobby and I love it, but it is no fun when I don’t have a loving audience. It would be like writing a book that nobody reads. I will do my utmost to keep you entertained in the future too.
Some more lovely outfits and wonderful scenery! That artist is amazing too. Such life-like sculptures. Quite eerie in fact. Must take a very long time to sculpt each one so intricately.
Yes, at first the scuptures are eerie. Some more than others though. But you get used to them.
It takes sooooo long to sculpt them. The video tells all about the process (see my links to that in my post).
Thank you for introducing me to Ron Mueck’s work. That exhibition is just stunning, even more so when you provide a sense of how large the figures are! I want to learn more so will do some web searching later.
Thank you also for sharing your issues with incontinence. Only recently did I discover that both my sisters struggle with this, as do I. We never discussed this before, but have learned so much from each other now that we do.,
That first photo of you in front of the mural is gorgeous — such great colours in your outfit. Marjolein does have a great eye, both for photography and style. Her lemon outfit is lovely.
Lastly, I LOVE the continuing adventures of Errol!
In my post I gave you a few links to more Ron Mueck information. Enjoy.
Isn’t it something that incontinence isn’t even discussed among sisters? We were really raised not to talk about poop and pee (or your period etc). Glad you two talked about it. I will keep writing about my journey as the story continues.
I forwarded your comment to Marjolein. As they say “Credits where credits are due”.
Hopefully Jilske will keep on posting Errol’s adventures.
Wow, I love the Mueck sculptures, thanks for sharing your pics. Love your orange trousers, but I’m sorry, Marjolein stole the show from you! 😉 Her chartreuse trousers and LEATHER jacket (I want it!) are perfection.
Lovely pics, Greetje, and glad Ron is feeling better. How fun Errol has become with your friends! Love that.
I don’t mind at all that Marjolein stole the show from me. She often does haha, as she is far better at styling than I am.
The leather jacket used to be mine, but it didn’t look good on me. And as so often before, it looks way better on her.
Thankyou so much for your fabulous post Greetje.!
I went to the Ron Mueck exhibition when it came here to Brisbane and I loved it – he’s an amazing artist.
You looked great in all the outfits and I especially liked the orange and white one.
I can completely relate to the urine problem and am going through the same thing.
I agree that menopause should be discussed more openly.
There is a major shortage of hormone replacement medications here in Australia at the moment which doesn’t help.
Take care and good luck with it.
Ron Mueck now lives in the UK but he is, of course, from Australia. It figures that he exhibits in his home country. The orange and white outfit I found in my Outfit Gallery at the top of my blog. I still have all the items, so it was easily recreated.
Lack of medication is something I hear a lot. Probably still a consequence of Covid? It is horrible. Knowing the medicine exists which can help you, but you cannot get it.
I will keep all of you posted as my ‘urine journey develops.
What a gift you give with your fabulous windows into a totally different world from my own. I would likely never have glimpsed that exhibition without you. You are doing extremely well mixing and matching what is already in, what must be, a pretty extensive wardrobe. I admire the vibrancy of colour you present to the world, especially in your smiling face and eyes, as well as ,your
beautiful clothes.
When we are going to a special place or to an exhibition I can make a post more interesting. More than just ‘Hi, this is what I wore’.
It also adds to my joy of a photo shoot day.
I have to admit that I have about 4.5 metres of clothes on the racks. Very closely together. I would indeed call that an extensive wardrobe. You see. Usually, in every season I have bought at least one item that is a keeper for ever. And that mounts up LOL.
Thank you for all your kind compliments. You make me blush.
You have introduced me to some fabulous art which I need to research! As another asked, is this a permanent exhibition? I may have suggested earlier that a trip to the Netherlands is on my agenda.
Your outfit that day is so attractive, as is the blouse and pants Marjolein wore…lovely ladies! Happy to see Errol having such excellent adventures…that bird needs to explore other parts of Europe. 🦜
On the feminine medical side of things… When I was diagnosed in 2020 ( very poor timing) with very large kidney stones, that got stuck and subsequently were ‘smashed’ successfully with what’s called a lithotripsy, what has remained after the “ups and downs “ of having my urinary tubes invaded, has been the “wee bit of wee” annoyances. Very thin pads work well, and are an easy remedy. While packing for my upcoming move, and lifting packed boxes 📦 of books 📚 , a bit of stress incontinence is another joy! At 74, it’s a minor inconvenience, so I consider myself lucky to have a well functioning urinary system. After all Greetje, I am so fortunate to have both of my kidneys! We woman should not be ashamed to share , as others can relate, so thank you for going there.
No it is not a permanent exhibition. I saw he only exhibited in the UK (where he lives), in Australia (where he was born), in France and in Italy. So you will have to come over to the Netherlands. The exhibition in Voorlinden is until November 17. LOL You were planning on travelling anyway, right?
As I am going on the route of peeing anyway…I recently learned that very thin pads are OK, but they have to be from an incontinence brand like Tena Lady, when you use them a lot. The normal thin pads contain a substance which is bad for your vagina, Tena Lady stuff apparently not. I will check it with my urologist next week.
And yes, we are fortunate, we only have such minor problems. (And I agree even with one kidney haha.)
These sculptures are amazing! is the hair on all of them real? and the jacket the woman with the baby is wearing — that looked real also! Does he sell his sculptures? You would have to have a HUGE home to put those in! What are they made of? they must be heavy! Well, you look great in your outfit. I enjoy seeing what your friends wear. I love Marjolein’s blouse with the flowers. that is exactly what I like to wear!
Yes, the hair is real. I saw on internet “he even provides his own hair to be inserted in the scalps of his sculptures one hair at a time”. They are made of resin, fiberglass, silicone, and many other materials. I had the same thought as you with the jacket of the woman with the baby. But I don’t think he would put on a jacket. I really think he painstakingly creates it with his own material. I so longed to touch it.
On the internet I also found this about the woman with the baby: “Make sure to peek into and through the plastic of the shopping bags without touching the artwork: from a bottle of Chardonnay to Sudocrem for the baby’s little cheeks”. It is marketing from another, earlier exhibition. He creates very life-like scultures but they vary a lot in size. Some are life size, some are very small and some are enormous. His ‘Big Baby’ sold for 1.3 million USD…
It is nice to show what my friends wear too. Gives you even more inspiration.
I’ve seen some of Ron Mueck’s pieces before and they were incredible.
I love the idea of “GEZELLING” ( I had to write it in all caps otherwise it kept changing the spelling.)
That photo from the bridge could be a painting.
Suzanne
It even changed the spelling now as it is gezellig (no ‘n’ before the ‘g’). Yes, we Dutch love our ‘gezelligheid’. Translation says cosiness, conviviality, sociability, all mixed together.
I agree about the photo from the bridge. I had a Monet feeling as I stood there.
Wow, Im so impressed with Ron Mueck, I’ve never heard of him. Is it a permanent exhibition as we would love to visit.
Definitely not too much TMI, we need to talk about these things, thank you for sharing.
Anna
I would not have heard of him either, hadn’t Lia and I not seen his exhibition in Paris. But he is famous. He exhibits but up till now, I saw he only exhibited in the UK (where he lives), in Australia (where he was born), in France and in Italy. So you will have to come over to the Netherlands. The exhibition in Voorlinden is until November 17. LOL
Glad you don’t find the pee story TMI either.
Such a plethora of wonderful photos of you, your friends, the exhibit, scenery – wow. I especially love the photo of you at the street party with your neighbours ‘frozen’ behind you. Thanks for the real name of the ‘licorice allsort’ cows, I can never remember it. Such a marvelous post Greetje.
Such comments like yours make my heart sing. I sometimes think I should change the “format” of the blog, renew things but in my mind I hear “Never change a winning team”. Besides, I have no idea what to change it to LOL.
I like the ‘licorice allsort’name for the cows. Very befitting.
A beautiful photo of you Greetje with the mural, one of your best! I had to smile at the giant naked man. Imagine someone buying that statue and putting it in their entryway to greet visitors, with that look on his face! Those Ron Mueck figures and absolutely incredible. Thank you for posting. This was all so interesting. Take care and all the best.
You would have to be pretty rich to acquire a sculpture of him. The big baby has been sold for 1.3 million USD. Usually he sells through auctions like Christie’s.
The photo of me with the mural was totally Marjolein’s idea.
I just love Errol having a little tipple.
Good on you for bringing up the subject of post menopause symptoms – even a little drop or two is too much – I agree with that. Why has society kept so quiet about life after menopause – nobody mentions it: so it comes as a complete shock – we should be taught about it early so that we can be prepared for what happens when Estrogen is removed and be encouraged to do pelvic floor exercises MUCH earlier in life.
The Ron Mueck statues are amazing! I especially liked the orange and white outfit that you wore for the street party and I really like the “gezellig” word too. I think we need to adopt that one into English!
Yes, as I went through my Outfit Gallery at the top of my blog, I found the orange and white outfit again and as I still have all the items, it was easily recreated.
We Dutch love our ‘gezelligheid’. Translation says cosiness, conviviality, sociability, all mixed together. Why don’t you come up with one word for it, as we do. If you adopt the word in English you will have trouble pronouncing it. LOL
From an early age we are taught not to talk about poop and pee and certainly not in company. And later on, things like having your period and such are added to that. We are taught they are shameful subjects. Imagine I would have brought this up in a work environment. My colleagues would immediately snigger, invent a nickname etc. Just the same as when you were at primary school. I always say that people don’t really change. Their behaviour on the school playground will later be their behaviour at work. Only hidden by so-called civilization. (With exceptions of course.) This is not a solid research, mind you LOL.
So it is not strange that we don’t talk about it.