last few days in Belfast then the weekend

What is so nice at the moment is that there is a real buzz about the place.Going to the India lecture on Wednesday at Queens a couple of things struck me

1. the lecturer said "there is enough in the world for everyones need, but not enough for every ones greed" quote from Gandi

2. India will overtake China in terms of population within the next twenty years.

There was some discussion about what India was going to do in terms of preparing for climate change , he said that it is very obvious that India's climate is changing because of what man has done and it's a bit of a unknown as to how this is going to effect things ;-(

That's something to think about with the stormy weather we are having but then again it is a full moon.

Last night I went to the opening of the Polish contemporary Art at the Ormeau Baths gallery and I have to say I've really been enjoying the polish art in all the galleries at the moment so refreshing to see something different. Great to see crochet is not dead as you will see when upstairs you observe the biggest crocheted block of flats you have ever seen. Surrounded by photos of all the new types of houses the newly wealthy Polish have been building in there homeland. A bit like when everyone in Ireland suddenly built bungalows (oh they are still doing it). It was also great to see it well attended by the Polish community in Northern Ireland and hope that with so many galleries showing Polish art at the moment they will continue to link in with the Art world here.

Lastly last night I went to the Engine room gallery on the Newtownards Road were Rajesh Rana has an exhibition based on the TGWU building called a Labour of Love. A really coherent collection of paintings and prints (lots of drips) the first paintings I've seen of the new Belfast skyline with Victoria square in the background. Beautiful palette of pale blues. From a gender perspective it's interesting to see in the screen printed plans things like "typing pool" included. Not something you would see now in any plans. The building is forward now for an extended floor and conservation work. It's always been a constant in the Belfast urban landscape so it would be nice to see it loved for another generation.

So what to do over the weekend? well another of Belfast institutions that allows a little bit of crazyness to flourish is opening it's doors for it's fun fair. Yes it's Lawerence Street workshops
crazy but true £3 entry- down the entry.

Nice to see youtube being used to show the crazyness in Northern Ireland in a positive way.
Lawrence Street Workshops Belfast

Or perhaps you want to try the crossroads ceile at the Duke of York 2.30pm Saturday come along and dance with whoever. No partner necessary.

Sunday the black box are having there black market in the festival marquee 12 noon Customs house square. Circus entertainment at cotton court from 1pm on the hour www.belfastcircus.org
Belfast printworkshop gallery open from 10.30 as are lots of the other galleries on www.belfastsundays.com. Belfast is starting to be really nice on a Sunday and there is hardly any traffic so you can dander around easier.