Rudolf Nureyev’s Tomb
Ever since I began mosaicing I have wanted to visit Rudolf Nureyev’s Tomb.
I saw a photo of it in a Kaffe Fassett book on Mosaicing and it has been on my wish list ever since.
Rudolf Nureyev was a Soviet born Ballet dancer and choreographer.
He was born in Russia in 1938 and defected to the West in 1961 at the age of 23.
He died of AIDS in Paris in 1993 and his funeral was held in the foyer of the Paris Garnier Opera House.
He is buried in the Russian Cemetery in a town on the outskirts of Paris
called St- Genevieve-des-Bois.
It takes about 45 mins to get there by train.
From Paris catch the RER train on the (yellow) C6 St Martin d’Etampes line to St- Genevieve-des- Bois.
We caught the train from the St- Michel Notre Dame station.
From St- Genevieve-des-Bois you catch a 104 bus going to ZI Croix Blanche, stop at Parc Pierre, which is very close to the cemetery. Our bus driver very kindly dropped us off directly at the front.
It’s a really beautiful little cemetery, very quiet and peaceful and we were virtually the only ones there.
Nureyev’s grave features a tomb draped in a mosaic of a Kilm oriental carpet.
It was designed by his friend, Ezio Frigerio, who was the set designer for many of Nureyev’s choreography sets.
The mosaic is predominantly made up of red, gold and blue smalti mosaic tiles.
If you are in Paris, you are interested and you have the time… it’s well worth the visit.
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed and it will certainly be an adventure!
Here’s the link to the cemetery map
It’s open between 8am – 7:30 pm in the Summer and between 8am – 5pm in the Winter
8, rue Léo-Lagrange 91700
Ste-Geneviève-des-Bois
Luna Park Mosaics – Out and About
I was out and about in St Kilda lately and wandered along to the iconic Luna Park
I was delighted to discover the large-scale sculptural mosaic pieces by Pamela Irving entitled
“Dreaming with Open Eyes”
Pamela was commissioned to create the work in 2010 in celebration of Luna Park’s 98th birthday.
The work is made up of tile and china pieces and consists of both three dimensional and flat figures.
It is approximately 25 square metres.
Pamela’s mosaic work is located on the Luna Palace Building,
which houses the dodgem cars and arcade games.
The Strathewen Mosaic Letter Boxes and The Beautiful Memorial Tree
The Strathewen Mosaic Letter Box Project was launched in August 2010 and began three months after the Feb 7 2009 fires which decimated the township of Strathewen. Victoria experienced severe fire weather that day which resulted in a firestorm in which 173 people died. Two of the Major fires were experienced in the Kinglake region and in the Marysville region. Strathewen is near the Kinglake National Park, on Feb 7 2009 23 residents died (from a population of 200) and 80 houses were destroyed.
Marion Oakley, a mosaic artist from Strathewen, provided a space for the people of Strathewen to come together, grieve, talk and construct new mosaic letterboxes. It was important to her that they put some colour back into the blackened landscape. Over time others joined the project from outside the community to also help make mosaic letterboxes and contribute in rebuilding the Strathewen community.
Strathewen is an apple and pear producing area which also hosts some small wineries. It’s not really the kind of place you would pass through to get anywhere and the people who lived there liked that about the place.
The typical letterboxes in the area looked not unlike these ones that I photographed on my way into Strathewen.
I inadvertently disturbed this fella when I stopped to photograph the letterboxes!
Having seen the Mosaic Letterboxes when they were on display after the completion of the project. I was interested to visit Strathewen and see the letterboxes around the community.
Strathewen is still in the process of rebuilding, even though it has been over five years since the fires.
I found these three beauties outside the newly rebuilt Strathewen Primary School
This one was perched up higher on the hill
The devastation of the fires is still apparent in the landscape
And it felt very appropriate to be paying my respects to this area on Anzac Day.
The Peter Avoca Memorial Pavillion at the Strathewen Recreational Reserve was also the site chose for the
Blacksmiths Tree.
The Blacksmiths Tree is an extraordinary piece of community art which was developed as a gift to all of the communities who were impacted by the Feb 7 2009 fires.
The Blacksmiths Tree was erected on February 14, 2014 and was five years in the making. Hundreds of blacksmiths from across 20 countries around the world forged leaves for the tree.
The Blacksmiths Tree is 10 metres high and is made from stainless steal and copper. It looks like a dead, fire affected gum tree and it is very beautiful. It fits perfectly into the landscape which surrounds it.
There is also a memorial park to commemorate the 23 lives lost in Strathewen on Feb 7 2009.
Lest We Forget.
How to Add a Unique Belt Buckle to Your Look
Belt Buckles are a great way to add some personality to your outfit.
Just as jewellery or a scarf can add a finishing touch to an outfit so too can an interesting Belt Buckle.
Elle Macpherson knows how to rock her street style with a belt buckle.
And the same belt buckle can look different on different outfits.
Now I know we don’t all have the same body type as Elle Macpherson but an interesting buckle can add interest to your outfit in a variety of ways. The key is to position your belt buckle so that it is most flattering to your figure.
A belt can be worn low on the hips if you are short waisted, this gives the effect of a longer torso.
If you have an hourglass figure then you should wear your belt at the narrowest part of your waist.
You could also try putting a belt buckle over a jumper, jacket or coat
If you have a longer Torso you should position your belt buckle so that it sits higher up on your waist and go for a monochromatic look to match what you are wearing (black on black etc.) This will also help to elongate your legs.
If you are petite the Monochromatic look will work for you as well
Whatever your shape you CAN wear a belt buckle.
You just need to know where to position it on your figure to show if off the best.
And don’t think you can’t wear one if you are curvy.
It actually helps to emphasise your amazing curves.
You don’t have to be a cowgirl either (though Sofia Vergara does looks pretty amazing)
A unique buckle can add street cred to your style.
or your man’s..
Don’t be afraid to experiment and see how a belt buckle could work for you.
Here are a few I prepared earlier…
My unique, handmade Australian mosaic belt buckles
are available via my website at
www.brokenplatemosaicbeltbuckles.com.au
or brokenplatemosaics.bigcartel.com
Isn’t it time you updated your look?