Categorie: Albums + Impressies

What's in a Picknick ?

Picknicken is lunchen, brunchen of dineren in een ongedwongen sfeer ergens in de vrije natuur. Het liefst ver weg van hinderlijk verkeer en luidruchtige dagjesmensen. Bij voorkeur in de bossen met uitzicht op een panoramisch vergezicht. In gezelschap van goede vrienden, een voortreffelijk glas wijn erbij, boeiende conversaties opbouwen, genieten van kleine hapjes, zelf gemaakte confitures uitdelen, vers brood breken, een mand met fruit tot besluit. Op zo'n moment geurt en smaakt alles op z'n best.

Niet iedereen zoekt deze idylle. Op weg naar het zonnige zuiden, met een stel ongedurige jengelende kinderen achterin de auto, kan een picknicktafel op een stopplaats langs de snelweg uitkomst bieden. Ook dat kan gezellig zijn. Of wat te denken van een popconcert festival, een eilandje in de rivier op een drukke zondagmiddag waar een hele meute stadsmensen samenstroomt. Het is inschikken naar de omstandigheid. George Seurat heeft dat treffend weergegeven op zijn schilderij; "Un Dimanche après-midi a Ille de la Grand Jatte."   

Seurat; Un Dimanche apres midi a ille de la grande Jatte	Muzikale Marathon Picknick bij slot Emkendorf
Er wordt al gepicknicked sinds de 17de eeuw	De mooiste picknick plaats

Is picknicken iets nieuws van de moderne mens? Welnee! Ruim 300 jaar geleden werd al gepicknicked. In Franse en Engelse historisch romantische films komen scenes voor waar in een park, of bij een vijver uitgebreid wordt gelunched. Het was de upper-class die zich deze luxe veroorloofde. Het gewone volk was daar nog lang niet aan toe, voor hen bestond de luxe van vrije tijd niet.

Pas veel later, toen dagtochtjes mogelijk werden, overwon men de schroom in de openlucht een boterhammetje te eten. Enerzijds om kosten te besparen door niet in een restaurant te eten. Anderzijds was het leven al duur genoeg, maar ook de drempel naar een eetgelegenheid te hoog.

Overigens had mijn grootmoeder er veel moeite mee, op een terras een taartje te eten. "Op straat eet ik niet," was haar stellige opvatting, de associatie met werkvolk dat in de openlucht eet was voor haar de reden. "Wat zullen de mensen er wel niet van denken," voegde ze er schuldbewust aan toe. Zo vreemd was dat niet, omdat het als onfatsoenlijk werd beschouwd wanneer burgers in het openbaar iets aten. Bovendien hield ze zich aan vaste tijden voor een maaltijd. In de loop der tijd is deze mores zichtbaar vervaagd. Ieder moment van de dag is van alles te koop om de "kleine honger" te stillen. Wandelende veelvraten zijn we geworden.

Waar komt het woord Picknick eigenlijk vandaan? Het lijkt een Engels woord, maar dat is het niet. Picknick is afkomstig van het Franse begrip "Pique-nique," welk woord als sinds de 17de eeuw bestaat. Pique betekent "iets uitkiezen," terwijl nique een "kleinigheid" betekent. Het verwijst dus naar verschillende gerechten of hapjes die op een kleed zijn uitgestald, waaruit men naar believe kan kiezen. 

Picknick is uitgegroeid tot een ware cultus. Compleet met aangepaste voorzieningen zoals een chique picknickmand dat servies, bestek, glaswerk, een snijplank en niet te vergeten een krukketrekker bevat. Een reusachtige koelbox, met koelelementen of nog beter een koeling op accu. Outdoor accessoires volgens de laatste mode uit Country Life Magazine horen erbij. De moderne mens kan niet zonder zijn comfort.

En toch! Hij wordt belaagd door onverwacht bezoek. Vliegen, spinnen, torren, mieren vergallen al snel het plezier. Vliegen en bijen komen ongevraagd op de zoete geur van glucose af. Hoe ze het weten, van hoever ze het kunnen ruiken, waar ze vandaan komen, Joost mag het weten. Ze zijn er plotseling, lastposten zijn het. Er is maar één manier om ze te weren. Afdekken! Alle zoete etenswaar afdekken met folie. Maar dan nog! Het helpt niet altijd.   

Avontuurlijker is een picknick op safari. De eenheid van de mens met de ongerepte natuur is een veel gekoesterde wens. Eenmaal aangekomen op een droomplek op de savanne, moet je er niet vreemd van opkijken dat een luipaard je bespied vanuit een boom. Of een horde brutale bavianen uit het iets opduiken, je onstuitbaar belagen. Er vandoor gaan met de worst, koek, fruit en alles waar je van wilde genieten. Hier zijn apen de baas. Hier vervliegt elk romantisch verlangen. 
 

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Text © 2011 Albert Prins


Source photo's:  Google Picture Gallery

The New Kelly Bag by Hermès, Model PicNic 2011

Hermès is een Frans modehuis dat vooral bekend is geworden door haar luxueuze zijden sjaaltjes, mode-accessoires en tassen. Waarvan de Kellybag en Birkintas wel het meest de modebewuste vrouw aanspreken. Deze tassen worden in vele variaties, kleuren en formaten uitgevoerd.

Princess Grace Kelly's first Kelly Bag	Prince Rainier and Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco	Kelly bag as hot item

Hermès is, als gezegd het meest bekend om tassen. De Kellybag is misschien wel de eerste officiële klassieker. Prinses Grace Kelly van Monaco verscheen in 1956 op de cover van Life-magazine met een Hermèstas van krokodillenleer op een wijze dat haar zwangerschap deed verhullen. Grace Kelly was een mode-icoon die door haar charmante uitstraling en voortreffelijke modekeuze voor navolging zorgde. Dus de Kellytas werd meteen een razend populair mode-accessoire.  

De "must-have" status van de Kellytas werd later overtroffen door de Birkintas, dat gekend is voor een meer casual uitvoering. Aan het ontstaan van deze tas kleeft een aardige legende. In 1984 zat de Engelse actrice Jane Birkin op een vliegreis wat te rommelen in haar eenvoudige canvastas. Naast haar zat de directeur van Hermès. Hij stelde voor een tas voor haar te maken in luxueus Hermèsleer. Jane Birkin stemde in op het voorstel, sindsdien is de Birkintas een ware rage geworden voor tassenliefhebber. 

Wickerwork Bread sculpture	Jean Paul Gaultier	Wickerwork Bread sculpture

Met de komst van topontwerper Jean-Paul Gaultier is een nieuwe weg ingeslagen door prêt-à-porter mode toe te voegen aan de collectie Met eigenzinnige opvattingen door gebruik te maken van mode-vreemde materialen heeft Gaultier meermalen opzien gebaard. Hij was één van de eerste modeontwerpers die in de mode; vlechtwerk met wilgenteen toepaste, wat niet eerder was vertoond. Gaultier moet geïnspireerd zijn geweest door het werk van mandenmakers, of de frames van hoepelrokken. Jean-Paul experimenteerde verder door vlechtwerk sculptures te ontwerpen. Daarmee zette hij het eeuwenoude mandenmakersvak in een heel ander en vooral verrassend perspectief.

Jean Paul Gautier combines luxery design with wickerwork for the first time in fashion

Binnenkort wordt Jean-Paul Gaultier opgevolgd door senior designer Christophe Lemaire. Eén van de laatste ontwerpen naar de hand van Gaultier is de Kelly PicNic Bag. De vorm is behouden, maar de combinatie van "wickerwork" met "saddleleather" is opzienbarend. Hiermee toont hij aan dat verfijnd vlechtwerk goed kan samengaan met tuigleder en toch een exclusief ontwerp ontstaat. De afwerking is tot in detail subliem. De productie zal beperkt blijven, dus modebewuste dames kunnen er verzekerd van zijn een unieke tas te bezitten. Voor de eveneens unieke prijs van rond de 1.000 euro.

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Fotoalbum: O último cesteiro de Vigo Espagña

Vigo in the province Pontevedra within the region Galicia, generally not well known as the 15th metropolis of Spain, is an important city of industry, tourism and harbour for import and export. Also a port of call to cruiseships.
   
Excavations have shown that Galicia has been inhabited since the Paleoliticum. The first major settlements were built in the sixth century BC by the Celts. The Romans arrived in 138 BC in the Northwest of Spain, but it was not until Emperor Augustus who incorporated Galicia into Hispania in 63 BC. The Roman influence is reflected particular in agriculture and mining.

PO cruise ship Oriana in Port Vigo	Port of Vigo Galicia, a popular embarkment for cruises

In the fifth century, during the Great Wandering,  the province was occupied by the Vandals and Sueben. The Sueben were expeled half a century later by the Visgoths, who introduced Christianity. Regularly, Galicians revolted against kings of neighboring kingdoms in ancient centuries. This has led to a strong national consciousness, which in the 20th century brought Galicia to independence within the Kingdom of Spain.

Shoppingstreet of Vigo	Rua dos cesteiros

In the past, the remote region of Galicia was poor of industry. The population mainly earned income from fishing and agriculture or forestry. From 1842 to 1900 the population grew gradualy from 7.000 to 23.000 inhabitants. Prosparity sett in from 1910 to 1960, the population grew up to 145.000 residents. The advanced position of Vigo situated directly at the Atlantic Ocean was an important argument for many international compagny to establish factories. The city harbours one of the large Citroën carplants, what has led to the development of Roll-on-Roll-off harbour facilities. especially for car transportation to Flushing in the Netherlands. 


The main industry is still fishing. Vigo is therefore the hometown of Pescanova, the worlds largests fishingcompagny. This firm is also one of the main producers of algae. mussels and oisters. Dairy has grown out to subtantional proportion after opening European markets. Inditex is a giant firm for textile products and Fadesa has become a construction company for international markets. All together the region went through an explosion of wealth between the years 1970 and 2010, what resulted in an increase of population to 297.000 people, including the suburbs even up till 423.821 residents. 

Rua dos cesteiros	Rua dos cesteiros

Nevertheless, a large part of the population is working still in agriculture. livestock and forestry. Its not surprising, wickerwork survived all modern technology. Baskets for fishing or industry are not on demand as in former times. Nowadays its a product of domestic use in all kinds of varieties. As elsewhere in the world, this profession is practised by single artisans, mainly living in the country-side or small villages. The handcraftsmen of Galicia has not developed a special style, their baskets reflect an equal manner as their colleagues in France, Portugal or Italy. However all work is of high quality.

Cesteiro Antonio Martiñez	Cesteiro Antonio Martiñez

Walking through the small streets and alleys of the touristic inner city of Vigo you will find Rua dos Cesteiros. Its unmistakely all worth to pass by. The pittoresk shops in this special street of basketsmakers display their articles in an alluring way outside. You will find allways something you like to buy. Even more attractive, you can see a Cesteiro (Spanish for basketmaker) at work on a marketplace. You will be surprised how with skill, patient and dedication a basket grows under the hands of the craftsman. Its an endurable product, not burdening the enviroment, lasting for a long time.   

Plenty of baskets in stock	All kinds of baskets for every purpose

Main shipping port of Vigo is situated in Galicia

Text © 2011 Albert Prins

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Fotoalbum: Vlechten in de bouw

Primitive African wooven shelter	First European primitive housing	Exposition bamboo pavillion in France
Most simple housebuilding		Walls everyone can make

Wooven structure Eemsbuilding at Delfzijl	Detail as a piece of art	Brise-soleil at Rochelle France made of rattan

Bamboo bridge with rattan wooven canopy	Iron wooven structure strenghten beton	Free bamboo structure

le Tour Eiffel Paris	Iron constructions together performing as a wooven structure	Close-up of le Tour Eiffel

Stone construction performing as a wooven structure	Cathedral de Catalunya	Bamboo cathedral build by Simon Velez

Birdsnest Olympic Stadion at Peking	Inregular wooven structure of aluminium

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The jolly cars of FIAT

The FIAT 500 was introduced in 1957 as a successor to the Topolino (Italian for mouse). The designer was Dante Giacosa, a designer who would become an automotive legend for his contribution to the industry. The FIAT 500 was a two-seater, rear engine, utility car that was built as an economical means of transportation void of luxery items or sports-car intentions. It featured a 479cc overhead valve engine mated to a four speed gearbox. With 13 horsepower, the FIAT 500 never set any land speed records. It had a top speed of 85 km/h.

The succesful FIAT Topolino, with suicide wind catching doors

The Jolly Fiat 500 with fringed canvas roof and wicker seats are seldom to see on the road today.

With a cost of nearly as double of a standard "500," they were made in a very limited production. It is believed that fewer than 100 exist today, each one being unique. 32 Jolly cars were used as taxis on the island of Catalina off the coast of Los Angeles in the USA in the years 1958-1962. Featuring wicker seats and the option of a fringed top to shield its occupants from the sun, these cars were originally made for use on large yachts of the wealthy. Aristoles Onassis and Jacky Kennedy owned one.

The American version of the Jolly Fiat 500 Ghia

The original FIAT 600 Multipla were based on a FIAT 600's drivetrain. Model 1100 coil and wishbone independent front suspension, and sat 6 people in a footprint just 50 cm longer than the original Mini Cooper. The driver compartment was moved forward over the front axle. elimating the boot in effect but giving the body a very minivan-like "one-box" look. Behind the front seat the vehicle could be arranged with a flat floor area or a choice of one or two bench seats. Until the 1970's this car was widely used as a taxi in many parts of Italy, as well as in Poland, where a similar type was produced

In 1956 Pininfarina designed a remarkable open topped Multipla prototype called the "Marinella" with wooden slat wraparound bench in the rear. Later on re-designed in wicker seating. This Multipla was also marketed as a resort and sight-seeing car. A few has been produced. Nowadays it wil be one of the classic cars, just as the Jolly, who many would like to have to make a wonderful drive with. 

FIAT Mulipla 600 produced in Poland as taxis,      The FIAT Multpla Marinella designed by Pininfarina 


Text © 2011 Albert Prins

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Videoclips; Middelburg in vogelvlucht op een drukke marktdag


Middelburg in overzicht



Verveling op Koninginnedag

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Fotoalbum: Vlechten in de tuin

Tuinomvlechting  (De Beeslat)	Wilgenscherm (De Beeslat)

Windschermen bij zwembad (De Vlechterij)	Tuintunnel, en Labirinth  (De Vlechterij)

Fonteindome l'Hospital Charles Fiox Ivry sur Seine 2006 (Vannerie.com)	Promonade pergola's Chalon sur Saone 2010 (Vannerie.com)

Gardendome (Vannerie.com)	Avonturen tuinhut (De Vlechterij)

Text © 2011 Albert Prins


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Bron vermelding

De Beeslat, Rijksweg 47, St. Maartensvlotbrug; http://www.beeslat.nl De Vlechterij, Crosestein 4611, 3704 Zeist, http://www.devlechterij.nl Soc. Coöp. Agrigole de Vannerie, 1 Rue de la Cheneillère, F-37190 Villaines les Rochers http://www.vannerie.com

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Videoclip; Château de Chabenet 2011 Tuinkunst (4,55 min) http://youtu.be/i1UE5MYW23M Videoclip; Museum of all Times in Beugen (2,43 min)  http://youtu.be/GB4wTTCaa4c

Source photo; Vannerie.com, Vlechterij, Beeslat

Fotoalbum: State of Art in vlechtwerk

Piece of art by Jean Paul Gaultier	Piece of art by Jean Paul Gaultier (Realisation Vannerie.com)

Zoorama  de la Forêt de Chize, France. Des. M. Fachelo (Realisation Vannerie. com)	Zoorama de la Forêt de Chize, France. Des. M.Fachelo

Des. Sophie van der Meulen 1-  Red coloured boardpaper 2.- Bycicletube	http://sophievandermeulen.wordpress.com

Atelier Nathalie d'Antin http://www.paris-ateliers.org	Des. Esmée Hofman http://www.esmehofman.nl

Paravent	Spiral basket willowtree http://www.voorplussers.nl

Endurable shoppingbags comes from Madagascar, did you know?	Shoppingbag made with proud and pleasure, wouldn't you like to have one?

Text © 2011 Albert Prins

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Hoe raffia wordt verbouwd tot eindpordukt  Videoclip; La Récolte du Raphia à Madagascar (3,35 min) http://youtu.be/xRMf7AHw2mk Videoclip; La Filière raphia à Madagascar Partie 2 (6,24 min) http://youtu.be/YyymNJeYi0M Photo-Musicclip: Artisanat Malgache du Madagascar (3.05 min) http://youtu.be/2wuFRrkSDno

Source photo; Google Picture Gallery, Vannerie.com, Paris Ateliers, Hofmann, Voorplussers, vanderMeulen

Fotoalbum: Vlechtwerk in de mode

Modern Roll over knotje	Vlechten op modeblog.nl	Celeberty vlecht

Kledingstuk of stuk kunstwerk van Esmée Hofman

Iris van Herpen vlechtwerk	Lagavulin couture	Jean Paul Gaultier couture

Vlastenue geweven of gevlochten Zeeuws Museum	Gevlochten hoedjes Vlechtmuseum Noordwolde	Palmbladtas met bont Fuction Art Utrecht

© 2011 Albert Prins

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Nelis' Dutch Village in Holland U.S.A.

The story of Nelis' Dutch Village began in Beverwijk Nederland in 1910, when Frederick Nelis asked his son Harry, who was 17 years at the time, to travel to America and search for some rich farm land. World War I was just over the horizon, and times were tough all over Europe. The Nelis family was hoping to make a new start in the "land of opportunity."

Plan of Nelis' Dutch Village in Holland Michigan. It includes buildings of authentic Dutch architecture, brick walkways, canals, gardens in special presentations depicting life in a typical village in the Netherlands. Your visit to this village, called Noordhuizen, brings history to life in a fun and friendly way. For attractions see site of Nelis' Dutch Village http://www.dutchvillage.com

Entrance to the park, with Carillon Bell Tower

Young Harry departed on the s.s. Noordam in October of 1910, three weeks later he arrived at Ellis Island at the coast of New York, the mainport for most of the immigrants to the U.S.A. Following his father's instructions, he traveled to Misourri, purchased land and began to grow vegetables. In September of 1911, the rest of the Nelis' family, which included 11 brothers and sisters, ranging in age from 6 months to 16 years joined brother Harry.

Growing vegetables proved to be unprofitable, so the family moved to Chicago in search of more opportunities. After working at various jobs for a few years, they heard about a settlement in Holland Michigan and decided to visit the young Dutch community. Upon arriving, they were impressed with the beauty of the area and decided to purchase 80 acres of land just north of the town.

A typical sight reminds to the province Noord Holland in the Netherlands.

In the early years, the Nelis family grew vegetables to sell their products locally, also they made frequently trips to the Chicago markets. During the Depression when markets broke down, the family switched from horticulture to the nusery business. Not long after being in this trade, a cousin in the Netherlands asked Frederick to plant daffodills, since he had run out of planting space in the "old country."

The making of deliscious Dutch cheese in a traditional way

That arragement dramatically changed life for the Nelis' family. They grew daffodills for a few years, but soon after they began to plant crops of tulips. By the late 1930's the tulip farm become a "hot spot," for tourist flocking to Holland for the new Tulip Time Festival, which grew out to an annually festival untill today, attracting millions of people. As time passed the tulip farm became increasingly popular and a large windmill and souvenir shop were added to the Nelis' market. Soon Holland souvenirs were as popular as the tulip bulbs.

The making of deliscious Dutch cheese in a traditional way

The present location of Nelis' Dutch Village was purchased in 1952, first it began as a retail for bulbs and souvenirs. The 40 acres were situated on a small two-lane road, which would later become US 31. At this time, Harry Sr.'s  two sons, Fred and Harry Jr. joined the family company. Harry Jr. who had just returned from Naval duty in 1958 at the age of 24, and his older brother Fred recognised opportunities in building the first village houses, what would become the start of Nelis' Dutch Village, also called as Noordhuizen after the herritage of the family. The first year of the Village, many visitors travelling north stopped at the new Dutch market when they heard where tulip bulbs were to buy.

A reproduction of  "De Magere Brug van Amsterdam. (The Skinny Bridge of Amsterdam)

The next year, claver as the brothers were to offer drinks and Dutch specialty foods, while costumers could shop, an Old-Dutch styled café was added. Every time in off-season a new building or attraction was build, so the expansion of the Village became a touristical attraction overpassing local importance.  And even more, a wholesale division in the 70's for imported Dutch goods distributing nationwide, while in the 90's by internet a mail order department did business expand internationally.

For a drink or a snack The Hungry Dutchman café, welcomes all guests

Currently there are more than 30 structures in the Dutch Village, with architecture representing different provinces of the Netherlands, mainly wellknown reproducted brickwork houses in style of Holland en Zeeland.  Beside you will find workshops for making cheese, wooden shoes. Outlets for selling chocolate, candies, cookies and other Dutch food specialities, who are popular among American costumers.  

Street Organ De Gouden Engel (The Golden Angel)

Never a dull moment in the park. Dancing groups perform Old Dutch dances in costumes of different regions of the Netherlands. Each province and even a  part of it, have by tradition or history a variation of dresses. Women are most colourfull dressed with beautyfull garments, which are difficult to obtain today, because these fabrics are made by a very small number of manufacters. 

The Wooden shoe dance as an attraction (Klompendans)

The costumes are never ready-made to buy, women make their clothes themselves, complicated in form and sewing methods. By jewelry or special forms of caps you can see, weither the woman is a member of a protestant or catholic church, or she is married or might be still available for engagement. When a close member of the family dies, the women wears a mourningdress, all in black. Even her jewelry is mimimized to a black necklace. The period of mourning last for the loss of a father or mother at least one year. For others in the family is a half years of mourning, normally the standard.   

In one of the souvenirshop you can buy original  Delft Blue, always a gadget

A day at the park is for children always fun. At the mini-farm they can ride a pony, there is a interactive workshop, a cinema, children rides, an Ice cream parlour, street organs specially imported from Holland, where you can enjoy the sound of a complete mechanical orchestra. The fairytail of Pieter who saved Holland for floods by holding his finger into the dyke, is a never missing item for tourists. 

Making wooden shoe's by hand is hard and specialised artcraft

The times I travelled to America, no greater pleasure I could present my friends by bringing chocolate, pepermunt, stroopwafels, or Zeeuwse boterbabbelaars. Sigars are nowadays out of favour, though the quality is superb. A piece of Delft blue opens doors where you wouldn't expect. It's nice to give a welcome gift to a friend.

Typical Dutch candies and cookies, popular all over the world.

Every country is wellknown by its speciality; Belgium by all kinds of high quality beer, of which is spoken as it is a delicate sort of wine, what's truly right. Germany is recognized by beer also, but even so by "Frankfurter Wurst," and "Schwartzwalder drindln," though its a stereotyped image, just as pizza belongs to Italians and croissant-bread to the France, what's not true. 

And the Dutch's? What do they like the most....?.... Everything that can be sold!! Trade marks as Droste Pastilles, Heineken Beer, Hopjes, Delft Blue or Tulip Bulbs are worldwide associated with Holland. At the shop of Nelis you will  find all those Dutch delicious quality food stuff. Do you feel home-sick? Help yourself to cure of it, go to Nelis.

A real Dutch Swing Ride, specially imported from Holland

Kermis, or Funfair in English, is by origin an annual-mass on devotionday of the patron of a village or city. Kermis is a degenaration of the word "Kerkmis or Kerke-misse." On that day, people flocked together to devote the saint patron in proccession to the church, afterwards finding amusement at the marketplace. Still, there is a connection with this religious festival and a procession in small villages.
From that time on, all kinds of pleasure was offered by the "spullenbaas, or foorkramer," respectively called in Dutch and Flamish. A "Draaimolen, a Zweefcaroussel, a Bootschommel," childern spent all there saved money on a thrilling ride. Bagging grantmothers, fathers, mothers and aunts for more "centjes."

Children's interactive workshop
 
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