Amy Saunders, Landscape Architect, Diner en Blanc
Don’t ask permission; ask for forgiveness ...
Landscape architect and social entrepreneur Amy Saunders is one of the organisers behind Diner en Blanc this weekend. A pop-up picnic where the location is kept secret until the last minute, Diner en Blanc will see locals dressed in crisp white garments disembark on a mystery location for an evening of gourmet delight and frivolity. Held annually in 20 cities across five continents, the Australian premiere of this exclusive French affair has been Amy’s ‘spare-time’ project. Passionate about making a positive impact on the local community and encouraging interactions between people of different socio-economic backgrounds, cultures and generations, Amy’s focus in her work and many extra-curricular projects is activating – and bringing a touch of magic to – public spaces. Having coordinated the giant board-game nights at King George Square and Lazy Sunday Cycle, promoted PARK(ing) Day and co-founded UR{BNE} Festival, Amy is now bringing Diner en Blanc to Brisbane along with urban designer Brooke Murphy. Amongst her busy days spent widening Brisbane’s cultural happenings, Amy took five with The Weekend Edition to discuss her weekend essentials.
How do you like to start your weekend?
I like to go for a swim, while my fiance takes his personal-training clients out for a run, and then I like to join him somewhere for a nice breakfast … preferably somewhere with an avocado-lemon-toast combo on the menu and great coffee.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Visiting my mum’s boutique farm in Kyogle and sitting on her deck with a cup of tea and watching her cows eat grass and moo, while their calves run around and be silly.
How do you like to unwind?
Unwind? You might be asking the wrong person. Every now and then I like to sit in the sun and read a good book or sketch. But if I have too much time to relax, I go a bit crazy and find other projects to do.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
Meeting up with my friends and family and seeing a good movie or having a nice meal.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Getting up really early, climbing a mountain and watching the sun rise.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Go to my fiance’s family’s place and have a big meal, a few glasses of wine and chat, laugh and debate with them into the night.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
The first Diner en Blanc in Australia! I’ll be hosting the Brisbane Diner en Blanc on Saturday night. I am really looking forward to seeing thousands of people dressed in white, with white furniture, in a gorgeous Brisbane public space. I also can’t wait to tell people the secret location! It’s very exciting!
What are you reading at the moment?
Messenger by Lois Lowry. It’s the third book in The Giver trilogy.
What inspires you?
My family, friends and the people of Brisbane. I love people watching and getting inspiration for opportunities to make Brisbane more vibrant.
What was your childhood dream?
I always wanted to do well at something – and use that skill to do good. I was never really sure what that was going to be exactly, but I enjoyed maths and art at school, so design was a pretty easy choice. Looking back now I was also very talkative and would always wander off and talk with strangers and enjoy hearing their stories. I think it’s no surprise now that people are always at the centre of what I design.
What has been your greatest achievement?
I’ve had a pretty amazing year! Going to Berlin to speak about the work I do at the BMW Guggenheim Lab was pretty awesome, but so was winning the Queensland Emerging Design Leader of the Year – and they both happened in the same week!
What is success to you?
Feeling fulfilled with what you do with your time and still keeping a roof over your head.
What are your words of wisdom?
Don’t ask permission; ask for forgiveness. If you have a great idea to make your city a better place just get in and do it yourself, it’s very unlikely anyone else will.
Only a local would know … although Brisbane is no longer a ‘small country town’, there is still only about two degrees of separation. Everyone still seems to know everyone else and so it still feels really friendly.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Urban Grind, Paddington
Relax … Roma Street Parklands
Dine … Sassafras, Paddington
Indulge … Brew, Burnett Lane
Shop … The Finders Keepers Markets
Catch-up … Denim Co., South Bank
Be inspired … Travelling
