John Harvey Photo

July 2008

Go to Slide Show Smaller Images A quick trip to the garden and...


Eight Spotted Skimmer
VanDusen is hard for me.  It's a beautiful space, but in general I'd rather find my artwork in nature rather than taking pictures of someone else's artwork.  Gardening, the act of rearranging a found scene, such as removing a stray blade of grass, is considered an insult in macro photography.  So obviously I'm conflicted when I visit VanDusen because I need to find photographs that are powerful in spite of the gardener rather than because of it.  So far, I'm not having much luck.


The Soak Yourself Seat With Rainbows

My employer wound up giving us a few days off without much warning. A fire in an electrical substation knocked out power in some parts of downtown Vancouver for up to 4 days.  Still under the belief that I would be back to work in "a few more hours", I took a morning off to go wander around VanDusen.  Pretty much as soon as I entered I ran into an artist in the garden.

 Piece Description

The garden was putting on a Sculpture in the park event and Claire Murgatroyd was one of the artists exhibiting.  Her piece is three way cross between a wheelbarrow, a park bench and garden irrigation system and I'm sure it will make a brilliant piece in the right garden.  She asked me to take a photo of it.  Conflicts abound.  I took a stock photo, but I also tried to capture a piece of "found art" from it.  Sadly, I think her work eclipses mine, but it was a fun challenge.

Abstract 1Abstract 2
 
Zig Zag Bridge
I spent a bit of time wandering more of the garden and took a few snaps, but harsh summer light isn't particularly flattering.  (Or I'm just making excuses.).  Either way, it was a fun morning out.

Pink And Yellow LiliesWhite Pond Lily

Eric's Stag
  Gentlemen At The TrackGentlemen In The Stands

  Unlike his boozy friends, Eric has always been a bit of a gentlemen.  We studied dirty arts like Engineering while Eric got a dignified degree in English.  We went straight into the rough and tumble world or selling out to corporations while Eric chose to travel after his studies completed.  It goes without saying that his stag would be similarly dignified.


  Our first destination was the Hastings Racecourse for a little action with the horses.  Jeremy rented us a few booths and we got down to being gentlemen and the task at hand - making money!  We had some help with the betting and after a few rounds we got the hang of succinctly asking for our wishing to be translated to paper.

Eric At The TrackMike At The TrackMark At The TrackDavid Retouched

Holding AWinning Ticket
We each had our "program" - a way of shaping the odds to our favor without curtailing our winnings.  We debated the wisdom of crowds (they knew how wasn't going to win, but they didn't always do so well on who was going to win).



Eric Falling Down
Well, you can take the man out to the park, but you can't always take the park out of the man.  We took public transport to the local science center and partook of gentlmen's outdoor games - a bit of Bocce and a crumb of croquette.

Gentlemen At The ParkTossing Line


Of course we had to increase the challenge a little by making some "substitutions" to the regulation playing equipment. 

Eric Tossing SquashEric And His SquashMark TossingMike Tossing Ball

Stephen MalletingDavid JugglingGood Accuracy Poor Precision
 
Some Crazy Drink
Famished by the rigors of outdoor sport, we terrorized a local eatery. 

Us At Griffins

Gentlemen At Fountain
And walked back to our good man David's house of a bit of late evening refreshments. 


Nothing beats a bit of cognac and cigars to end a very pleasant day.

Sean Lighting UpMike Lighting UpBrandy Snifters Set Out

Francis Lighting UpGentlemen On Deck




Gentlemen At Fountain
Person: David, Eric, Jeremy, Mark, Michael, Sean, Stephen
Mike Lighting Up
Person: Michael
Abstract 2
Tags: abstract, rainbow
Sean Lighting Up
Gentlemen At The Park
Person: David, Eric, Jeremy, John, Mark, Michael, Stephen
Francis Lighting Up
Abstract 1
Tags: abstract, rainbow
Mike Tossing Ball
Person: Michael
Tags: game
Eric At The Track
Person: Eric, Jeremy
Holding AWinning Ticket
Tags: game
David Retouched
Person: David
Some Crazy Drink
Tags: drink
David Juggling
Person: David
Zig Zag Bridge
Tags: bridge, garden, VanDusen
Gentlemen At The Track
Person: David, Eric, Jeremy, John, Mark, Michael, Stephen
White Pond Lily
Tags: flower, pond, VanDusen
Us At Griffins
Eric Falling Down
Person: Eric
Tags: costume, slide
Gentlemen On Deck
Tags: fire, night
The Soak Yourself Seat With Rainbows
Altitude: 84m (275 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: art, bench, garden, pond, VanDusen
Eric And His Squash
Person: Eric, Jeremy
Tags: game
Good Accuracy Poor Precision
Tags: game
Mark Tossing
Person: Mark
Tags: game
Tossing Line
Brandy Snifters Set Out
Stephen Malleting
Person: Stephen
Tags: game
Pink And Yellow Lilies
Tags: flowers, pond, VanDusen
Mike At The Track
Person: Michael
Gentlemen In The Stands
Eight Spotted Skimmer
Species: Libellula forensis (Eight-spotted Skimmer)
Tags: BC fauna, insect, VanDusen
Eric Tossing Squash
Tags: game
Mark At The Track
Person: Mark
Piece Description
Altitude: 83m (272 feet)
Location: Go To...
Tags: art, garden, VanDusen
Tags: Do Not Tag(15), game(7), VanDusen(6), pond(3), garden(3), art(2)
People: Eric(6), Michael(6), David(5), Jeremy(5), Mark(5), Stephen(4)
From: John Harvey Photo > Blogs for 2023 to 2005 > 07_2008

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