As we head into November, I hope you had a fun Halloween with lots of treats! Toronto had inclement weather that evening, with strong winds that continued howling into the night, long after trick-or-treaters headed home with their buckets of goodies. 

Pumpkins were abundant at the grocery stores, and even in my office where a pumpkin carving contest was held. I was inspired and reminded of several photos I had captured (inadvertently) throughout the year based on this theme.

The most direct capture was this famous yellow polka-dot pumpkin sculpture by artist Yayoi Kusama, located on Naoshima island in Japan. Many people had lined up to have their photos taken in front of this yellow pumpkin, so I had to quickly steal some shots in between their posing times. It turns out a red pumpkin is also located on that island, one that is cut open for visitors to climb into.

Kusama Yellow PumpkinYellow polka-dot pumpkin sculpture by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, on Naoshima island.

For the next photo, I was initially caught by its graphical pattern. But on second look, they resemble a batch of pumpkins. Secret revealed: they are a cluster of ceiling lights that I photographed from directly underneath. Tricked you, didn't I?

Pumpkin LightsThis cluster of ceiling lights resembles a batch of lit-up pumpkins.

The orange circular theme then led to this photo below, on a more abstract level. What appears as a golden circle is actually parts of a circle painted on various elements inside this house - on the wooden beams above, on the shoji screen walls, and on the floor's tatami mats. Only by standing at a certain spot, at a certain height, will a perfect circle appear in front of the viewer. This was part of the Setouchi Triennale art festival, where artists transform some existing buildings on the Setouchi islands into art installations.   

Golden CircleWhat appears as a golden circle is actually parts of a circle painted on various elements inside this house - on the wooden beams above, on the shoji screen walls, and on the floor's tatami mats. Only by standing at a certain spot, at a certain height, will a perfect circle appear in front of the viewer. This was part of the Setouchi Triennale art festival, where artists transform some existing buildings on the Setouchi islands into art installations.

Which version of "pumpkin" was your favourite?

Don't forget to set your clocks back tonight for an extra hour of sleep tomorrow!