Hello and welcome to the latest blog from The Olivia Rose Diaries on August 19th 2023.
As many of the regular followers of this blog know I enjoy taking pictures of the sculptures we find on our travels. As our season moves ever closer to its end I have compiled a collection of my favourite sculptures that you haven’t yet seen. Some of them have interesting stories behind them, some are just pleasing or quirky. I hope you enjoy them.
We found this collection of figureheads at the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam. I think they had a fixation with a certain part of the female anatomy.This bear appeared in an article in the British press recently. He has been designed to highlight the ongoing climate crisis and, in particular, draw attention to the plight of the polar bears. Unfortunately, the art installation has not gone down well with local residents who are being kept awake at night by his incessant peeing. A compromise has been reached – no peeing overnight.This statue was simply called ‘Donor’and was commissioned as a tribute to thank all those people who donate their body parts to others. It symbolises a recipient who climbs to a new life thanks to his donor or a bereaved person who climbs out of a valley of grief because their loved one lives on in someone else.Quirky certainly isn’t the word for this ravening beast. Found him painted against the side of a building in a riverside park. Not sure if it was graffiti or commissioned art but the detail was amazing.This falls into the slightly surreal catagory. It’s simply called The Turtle but it’s official name is ‘Searching for Utopia ‘, which leaves me none the wiser. It was commissioned and placed at the Citadel overlooking Namur in 1915 but has been left as a permanent exhibit. He’s wearing well.Very dapper.Cows floating in mid-air. No idea why, but then, why not?Came across these on one of our many bike rides. Not sure why they’ve got no clothes on.We assumed these were at a stud farm but later found out it was a stables for polo ponies. The fields behind are where matches are played and horses are exercised. This is a sport for the very rich – every rider needs five ponies each time they play. Four for the match itself and one in reserve.From afar they looked regal, close up they are more primal, wild stallions in their prime. Not something you often see these days.Michael found this up the road literally last night. From this angle it looks like an abstract….But from another angle, this is what you get. This is street art by a young female artist and a map next to it marked where her other works are to be found. How wonderful to have such a skill.
And that’s all for now. Michael is about to cast off so I should go and help.
The ‘cows’ are floating so that the grass underneath them can be kept cut perhaps – but not very well. Perhaps the cows graze on it when no one is looking! My favourite is the boy violinist.
And hello to the other half of the Houltons! Your first sentence is something your son might say, the second something I might say and the third sentence is no surprise as it’s the same artist as the two girls reading that you liked so much.
MJ
Fab photos. We also loved the violinist and the cows. Gosh, the summer season has closed in pretty damned quick. Mooring up for the winter!! Enjoy the rest of your boating. Take care both.
The Olivia Rose Diaries 
What a fabulous collection. All intriguing in their own way, but the peeing polar bear did make me smile.
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Hi Helen. That’s the Dutch sense of humour for you!
MJ
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An amazing collection, I wonder if it is a Dutch thing or do all countries have such a unique collection?!
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Hi you! I think all countries have them. Just got to keep a look out.
MJ
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The ‘cows’ are floating so that the grass underneath them can be kept cut perhaps – but not very well. Perhaps the cows graze on it when no one is looking! My favourite is the boy violinist.
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And hello to the other half of the Houltons! Your first sentence is something your son might say, the second something I might say and the third sentence is no surprise as it’s the same artist as the two girls reading that you liked so much.
MJ
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A broad range, some quite eclectic! Have a good week ahead. How long before you moor for the season?
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Hi Eliza. Olivia Rose comes out of the water on 31st August. We’re taking the sleeper train back down to the shack. A new experience!
MJ
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Fab photos. We also loved the violinist and the cows. Gosh, the summer season has closed in pretty damned quick. Mooring up for the winter!! Enjoy the rest of your boating. Take care both.
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Hi Ann. Another ten days or so. Time flies.
MJ
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Certainly some quirky stuff there! I love the peeing polar bear. Enjoy the rest of your time on board. Jolly hot down here.
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And hotter up here too. But nowhere near as bad as you. Commiserations!
MJ
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