Bondi Beach is always quite busy, but if you’re afraid of crowds I would avoid going on the weekend. I’m not afraid of crowds though. At least, not the kind that go to hang out at the beach, and not when there is a funky contemporary art exhibit involved. While I was in town artists from Australia and around the world had put their work out on display along the coastline between Bondi Beach and Tamarama for Sculpture by the Sea.
I thought it was busy on the beach, but after heading up the path towards the coastal walk I realized I was wrong. So very wrong. I was not the only one who thought Saturday afternoon was a good day to go for a stroll and check out the sculptures. Everyone and their dog was there. Some people had two dogs. It was crazy packed.
As an uninitiated tourist I didn’t know Sculpture by the Sea has been going strong for the past 20 years, and since it’s inception has been gaining in popularity and drawing crowds of visitors and locals alike. That being said, trying to elbow gently make my way through the other tourists was no easy feat, and what should have been about an hour-long walk ended up being closer to two and a half hours. Not that I’m complaining (weeell… maybe a little bit). The majority of that time was spent circumventing other people, but also taking photos, admiring the sculptures, and contemplating the meaning behind them (which, for some, I am still trying to determine).
There were a little over 100 exhibits on display — these are some of my favourites shots from that afternoon.
If you happen to be in Sydney in the spring next year, be sure to check out Sculptures by the Sea in Bondi! I would recommend you do it one day during the week, though. Unless you like being smushed in between throngs of hot sweaty people. And who doesn’t like that? 🙂
-C
