The Present Lens

I've thought more about the minimalist lifestyle in recent months, and how having a house full of "stuff" can really cloud your mind.

When we get rid of the things clouding our space, we can explore art a little better, I think. We can look to art to colour and give life to our spaces instead of knick knacks and other things.

For me, this is a great way to live and to be.

I stumbled upon an art space recently and these are some of the pieces i would include in my clutter free minimalist space...

What sort of art do you love/enjoy? What would you bring into your life/home?

Did you know that in some African tribes, the sun shining when heavy rain pours signifies the birth of a Lion?

I think of this anytime i witness this beautiful contradiction - true or not.

I saw this beautiful sensory pleasure, and had to capture it for you... a combination of the raindrops, the sun, the clouds and the sunset.

I quite like Art galleries. To me they are different from museums and much more enjoyable. In an art gallery, you are able to use your senses, rather than be bombarded by facts and figures. Its a more immersive experience and you get to feel something, and really connect. I like the type of art where you are not so sure of what you are seeing. Where the lines are clean, the surroundings are clear, the subject is simple, serene, surreal. 

The south bank is a really cool spot. With lots happening including this funky red oyster bar located in a bus!

And impossibly cool graffiti on the walls.

After taking a moment to admire the surroundings, I went on in to the exhibition.

I must say that entering the exhibit was truly one of the scariest experiences of my life. I read the information on the website, and it said - not suitable for people with claustrophobic tendencies.

Pah!! I scoffed. How bad could it possibly be? I will probably pass through a small space and be done with it.

Little did I know.

I passed through tunnels of claustrophobic darkness, not knowing when the end would come, praying I would make it. Trying to stave off a panic attack. 

The loud sound of my feet on the metal didn't help, as i guided myself along in the darkness. 

I heard sounds of other people fumbling through the pitch black, but i was unsure where they came from - were they behind me? Were they in front? Was someone waiting for me, standing still in the darkness? Would the floor give way, and would i fall into a never ending pit? But I made it -- and guess what? I think those claustrophobic tendencies are gone! If you can make it through that, you can make it through most things.

How was your weekend?

Mine was pretty good. It felt long, and packed full of activity. I don't know about you, but some weekends go by in a flash. Friday at 5pm is greeted with joy and within a blink of an eye, Sunday night is there. Where did the weekend go? What did I do with my time? I relaxed, but was it relaxing? I rested, but was it true rest, or just passing time?

This weekend went a little better. It was filled with people, new experiences, and new places. 

I travelled the world in my own city. I met many people in my friends. Time slowed down and I felt it.

It was a particularly hot Saturday in London. I felt the sweltering heat and welcomed it. The sun penetrating my skin, to warm my heart.

I leave you with my present moment of the day, walking back, and pausing to take in the moment of this musician's lovely voice, and feeling the warm, still summer air around me.

What was your present moment of the day?