skyring: (Default)
Skyring ([personal profile] skyring) wrote2008-12-02 04:01 am

Happy Face

Happy Face
Happy Face,
originally uploaded by skyring.
There was a function on at the new National Portrait Gallery. A year under construction, the building is finally complete, site office and construction clutter cleared away, landscaping in, and signs up.

A lady waiting outside. I pulled in, admiring the floodlit exterior. First time I've seen it lit up at night. Other than as a construction site, that is.

It's a handsome building. Post brutalist, maybe. Or New Age concrete. Not sure how you'd describe it, but it's a looker.

The lady got in, named a suburb in Woden, guided me on my first circuit of the access area across the forecourt of the High Court, and asked, "Have you seen the Smiley Face?"

She pointed off out my window, and I glanced that way, wondering what she was talking about. A sign? Graffiti? Some new piece of public artwork?

But no. It was a happy conjunction of moon and planets creating a smiling face, a happy omen for the opening of a building chiefly devoted to faces.

Later on, at the airport, I stopped and snapped the face of God, pointing it out to other drivers, my passengers, anybody who looked like they needed a smile.

[identity profile] shendoah.livejournal.com 2008-12-01 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
We were enjoying the spectacle last night as well. My kids got a kick out of it.

[identity profile] whytraven.livejournal.com 2008-12-02 05:52 am (UTC)(link)
It's Jupiter, Venus and the crescent moon. They were lined up in a straight line around Thanksgiving, but I couldn't see the moon because of the fog. This particular array won't happen again now (with crescent moon) until the late 21st century.

[identity profile] skyring.livejournal.com 2008-12-02 08:18 am (UTC)(link)
They can forecast fog that far ahead?

Pete, impressed

[identity profile] whytraven.livejournal.com 2008-12-02 05:05 pm (UTC)(link)
*smirk*

I can accurately predict that towards the end of the 21st century there will be fog at an altitude of 1700' in December, right beside a river. :-P

[identity profile] skyring.livejournal.com 2008-12-03 12:00 am (UTC)(link)
I'll take that bet!

[identity profile] awaywithfairy1.livejournal.com 2008-12-02 07:04 am (UTC)(link)
I read about it in the newspaper a couple of days ago. I've been meaning to go outside and have a look but keep forgetting. I should really make an effort before it goes away!

[identity profile] lyzzybee.livejournal.com 2008-12-02 09:21 am (UTC)(link)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7759643.stm

Thought you might like to see the pics from around the world. I still like your one best, though!

[identity profile] whimzykat.livejournal.com 2008-12-02 11:32 am (UTC)(link)
that is so cool! Here in the northern hemisphere, we got it upside down...I like your view much better