A surreal birthday

For Steve's birthday this year we decided to go to McLaren Vale to visit the d'Arenberg winery and its Cube. Built three years ago to much acclaim, the Cube is made up of a variety of cube shapes on five levels, set among the vines. Its design was inspired (so the brochure told us) by the complexities and puzzles of winemaking as well as, so the lovely man who greeted us added, by the famous Rubiks Cube.  Of course, Steve couldn't wait to record it. 

And I couldn't wait to get inside.

There are five levels: the 'alternate realities' museum, a contemporary art gallery, a winetasting room, a restaurant, and cute toilets. Balconies at each level provide lovely views over the vines. We started off at the museum level. 'Weird' and 'wonderful' are two words that spring to mind: surreal paintings by local artists, wind up mechanical toys, and crazy installations. Here's some examples. 

I've included this for my friend Maggie who loves caravans. When you turned the handle, the people inside looked at each other and drank their drinks. I thought the washing line outside the caravan was a nice touch!  

We then ventured up a level to the art gallery which is currently hosting an exhibition of Salvador Dali sculptures - and which looks like staying for many months more as it cannot be flown back to Switzerland (where it comes from) because of virus restrictions. I did not know Dali did sculptures (as with most people, I knew he painted, and am familiar with his famous melting clock).  Outside the Cube were two enormous sculptures that were commissioned as part of the exhibition and are mounted outside wherever the sculptures are being shown. These next two photos will give you an idea of what I am trying to describe. Check out the prices! 

We had a fabulous time. Once I read the description of the symbolism for each work I was entranced.  Here is a sample of what we saw. 

I loved the colourful chairs dotted around the gallery - comfortable, too.

Don't you just love the look on the face of this young art critic. 

Behind me in this next photo are the works of Australia's foremost surrealist artist Charles Billich who is now 85 and still going strong. 

I am not sure why I had the urge to peer through the legs of these sculptures.

There were also some quirky items in display cabinets and on shelves.

At each level, we ventured out onto the balconies to view the surroundings.

Next, it was off to the restaurant which was also decorated with sets of masks and other unusual items.

After a delicious lunch (pumpkin soup, chicken wings, spiced apple pie and cream) and of course some sparkling wine (for me) and pear cider (for Steve), it was time to leave. On our way down to the ground floor we saw a couple of Dali prints.

             

Outside on the lawn were a few other sculptures ... by local artists this time. 

I couldn't resist joining this sculpture band as their singer! 

And then it was onto one of our favourite wineries in this region - Coriole. Their cottage garden is always a pleasure to see, even in mid-winter.

And because it was Steve's birthday, here's one more photo (as I feel he is a little under-represented here). Oh, and those contraptions you can see at the very top of the photo are actually trestle tables that can be lowered whenever there is a function in the gallery. Another intriguing aspect to this building.

We drove home through wine country feeling so lucky to be living here.