I had trouble picking my two concepts, but decided on exploring "eye" and "having a soul." The concrete idea of an eye has lead to idiomatic connections such as eye of the tiger, hook and eye, eye of the needle. Once again my costume shop experience is popping up. I've also been drawn to strobe lights, disco balls, headlights, and other light-oriented things since eyes have a lot to do with light. Or maybe I'm becoming a moth drawn to a psychedelic flame. Either way, that concept has been much easier to pair with visual images.
As far as souls go, I think about ethics and vegetarianism and how humans consider themselves so separate from the rest of the world's living organisms. It seems like another way of looking at souls is in terms of ecosystem interconnectivity and reincarnation. I'm also interested in the idea of selling one's soul to the devil in order to achieve immortality or eternal youth or whatever floats your boat. The idea of soul originated from some people's belief that taking one's picture or seeing one's own reflection sucks away one's soul. Maybe not having a soul could become an existentialist fad. (I don't pretend to understand existentialism, but I'm intrigued by it). Why do people think a soul is so important? Why can't this life be enough? Does it have to do with the fear of not living life to the fullest?
Consider using this slideshow format in your posts...
Saturday, January 31
Leah--second thoughts
I've settled in, established more or less a routine, and now I can say: I live in Florence.
That being said, my curiosity has reemerged, and I'm glad it decided to show up. It makes me wonder now just how long it's been dormant. I was wondering sort of a similar thing the other day when I was appreciating an orange, and I realized that I could finally taste, I mean really taste it, and the citrusy sweet tingled my taste buds. It seems like coming to Florence gave me my taste buds back, something that I thought was slowly disappearing as I got older.
It's not just tasting though. I am captivated by little visual details: the way a blinking car light make the bricks of a wall jump in and our in synchronization, how the steam undulates in irregular patterns as my pasta water boils, how the light comes through the glass in Studio 41-- a slight gradation of pastel colors.
I'm also finally making connections.
The object I chose to work with on Tuesday was a jar of white beans. I've never really thought about beans for that long before. In the end I concluded that beans are holy. They are nutritional, simple, and democratic (a food for everyone). For me, religion is ideally this: nutritional, simple, and accessible to everyone.
From this jar of beans, I chose two words (I eventually got to them via the mind map exercise): wholesome (as my conceptual idea) and halo (as my physical idea). I admit that halo is kind of a conceptual idea as well, but through the centuries it has become a physical thing.
I've collected photos of all sorts of halos, but I've been slower on the "wholesome" research. Today I storyboarded the word wholesome, and from that I concluded that in my definition of the word, I generally think of it as things that are "old-fashioned"-- such as making things by hand, brown paper bags, manual labor, carrots with the dirt still on them, fresh, natural milk in a glass bottle, not wearing makeup, etc. I'm not sure if things in the "old days" were more wholesome, or if it's just a bias I have. I just looked up the word "wholesome" on an online dictionary, and the first definition is this: conducive to moral or general well-being; salutary; beneficial. It's sad, but I do think that the more "advanced" we become as a society, the more we suffer in terms of "moral and general well-being". Of course this could be argued, but as evidence I will say that the things that I think are wholesome are things that do make me feel healthier and that these same things are generally now considered "old-fashioned."
Anyway, these are the thoughts bubbling in my head right now. I'm eager to see where everything leads me.
Oh, and as a quick additional thought: We are lucky as artists that it is our job to think about things so deeply-- to have time to ponder such basics is luxurious. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Here are some photos of this week.
That being said, my curiosity has reemerged, and I'm glad it decided to show up. It makes me wonder now just how long it's been dormant. I was wondering sort of a similar thing the other day when I was appreciating an orange, and I realized that I could finally taste, I mean really taste it, and the citrusy sweet tingled my taste buds. It seems like coming to Florence gave me my taste buds back, something that I thought was slowly disappearing as I got older.
It's not just tasting though. I am captivated by little visual details: the way a blinking car light make the bricks of a wall jump in and our in synchronization, how the steam undulates in irregular patterns as my pasta water boils, how the light comes through the glass in Studio 41-- a slight gradation of pastel colors.
I'm also finally making connections.
The object I chose to work with on Tuesday was a jar of white beans. I've never really thought about beans for that long before. In the end I concluded that beans are holy. They are nutritional, simple, and democratic (a food for everyone). For me, religion is ideally this: nutritional, simple, and accessible to everyone.
From this jar of beans, I chose two words (I eventually got to them via the mind map exercise): wholesome (as my conceptual idea) and halo (as my physical idea). I admit that halo is kind of a conceptual idea as well, but through the centuries it has become a physical thing.
I've collected photos of all sorts of halos, but I've been slower on the "wholesome" research. Today I storyboarded the word wholesome, and from that I concluded that in my definition of the word, I generally think of it as things that are "old-fashioned"-- such as making things by hand, brown paper bags, manual labor, carrots with the dirt still on them, fresh, natural milk in a glass bottle, not wearing makeup, etc. I'm not sure if things in the "old days" were more wholesome, or if it's just a bias I have. I just looked up the word "wholesome" on an online dictionary, and the first definition is this: conducive to moral or general well-being; salutary; beneficial. It's sad, but I do think that the more "advanced" we become as a society, the more we suffer in terms of "moral and general well-being". Of course this could be argued, but as evidence I will say that the things that I think are wholesome are things that do make me feel healthier and that these same things are generally now considered "old-fashioned."
Anyway, these are the thoughts bubbling in my head right now. I'm eager to see where everything leads me.
Oh, and as a quick additional thought: We are lucky as artists that it is our job to think about things so deeply-- to have time to ponder such basics is luxurious. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
Here are some photos of this week.
Rachel again
So once again, I attempt to gather together all the things that have made up my life and my art recently.
The first thing to come to mind is, unfortunately, perspective and my seeming inability to grasp it. It's really weird; every time the individual concepts are explained to me, they make so much sense that it's almost boring to hear them recounted again. I know, also, that when I am not so utterly bound by the necessity to make precise measurements, I manage to create a similar effect to true perspective well enough. I really don't understand how or why, by my instinctive sense of a space, the volume the space takes up as a conception inside the psuedo-space my mind creates, does or cannot merge with the measured accuracy we are being taught. Perhaps that is simply because the two have nothing to do with each other, and maybe i should forget my intuition while plotting perspective. But it's just really hard for me to do that; like I'm groping in the dark, and maybe I'll find something by bumping into it, but to find something else I have to let go, and it's as though I've made no progress at all. (Wow, I really don't think I am making any sense). But the thing is, even though everyone says it's really easy to do things when you're using only one standard of measure, I find it really hard. You also must remember what that measure equals on your paper (yes, this can be marked, but I often change my mind and that confuses things); you must remember the distance you observed as being 2/3 of something else from a third thing; you have to understand how this situation is mirrored on the paper. So many little pieces to grasp at once proves impossible for me, and something always slips between my fingers. And honestly, I don't fully understand at an emotional level why I have to force myself to bend opposite of my usual direction. Intellectually, yes, I get that I really could use this "tool," as Reagan and Jana and Zeuler keep referring to it. But I just can't fel that the same way i can feel shape, light, color, space. I don't really think perspective is any more or less true than any other way of visual depiction, and it just feel wrong in some way I can't explain, like when your hair has been up too long and taking it down kind of hurts. Which sort of supports my doubts about all these complaints I have, because it seems to imply this is all so hard just because it's not what I'm used to.
WOW, that was really long. Sorry if you just read it all, but I feel it was a good idea to try and communicate it, even though I only had partial success.
So obviously this has kind of been getting me down, and I've been really lacking in the self-confidence department of late. I was pretty happy with my Italian before, but now I feel it's weak at best. I feel pretty pathetic for continuing to get lost so often, too. I miss my sister a lot (we're best friends), and I miss using color, since it's where I feel most capable of communicating, and I feel really unsteady with no large project to sink my teeth into. I can't just fall into working on something because every other moment, whatever I'm working on is done. I know it's all in my head, and thinking to much only confuses stuff up there even more, so I've been trying to make my silly doubts go away. We'll see how it goes.
Anyways, since I didn't have a chance to upload my pictures from the Bologna art fair before, I'm linking to them now. I made some comments on the actual pictures about why I think each work is so amazing.
I made a mask for carnavale using some National Geographic magazines, which was really fun.
In themsequence, I've been feeling marginally more at ease, because making visual associations, for example, is something that flows naturally for me. I've been gathering everywhere; I picked a branch off an olive tree the other day (those trees are so odd and cool) and I've been collecting other such odds and ends.
Again, several other pictures up at my account on flickr; take a look-see if you wish.
Until next week, when I shall hopefully feel a little less buffeted by the waves. Arrivederci :)
The first thing to come to mind is, unfortunately, perspective and my seeming inability to grasp it. It's really weird; every time the individual concepts are explained to me, they make so much sense that it's almost boring to hear them recounted again. I know, also, that when I am not so utterly bound by the necessity to make precise measurements, I manage to create a similar effect to true perspective well enough. I really don't understand how or why, by my instinctive sense of a space, the volume the space takes up as a conception inside the psuedo-space my mind creates, does or cannot merge with the measured accuracy we are being taught. Perhaps that is simply because the two have nothing to do with each other, and maybe i should forget my intuition while plotting perspective. But it's just really hard for me to do that; like I'm groping in the dark, and maybe I'll find something by bumping into it, but to find something else I have to let go, and it's as though I've made no progress at all. (Wow, I really don't think I am making any sense). But the thing is, even though everyone says it's really easy to do things when you're using only one standard of measure, I find it really hard. You also must remember what that measure equals on your paper (yes, this can be marked, but I often change my mind and that confuses things); you must remember the distance you observed as being 2/3 of something else from a third thing; you have to understand how this situation is mirrored on the paper. So many little pieces to grasp at once proves impossible for me, and something always slips between my fingers. And honestly, I don't fully understand at an emotional level why I have to force myself to bend opposite of my usual direction. Intellectually, yes, I get that I really could use this "tool," as Reagan and Jana and Zeuler keep referring to it. But I just can't fel that the same way i can feel shape, light, color, space. I don't really think perspective is any more or less true than any other way of visual depiction, and it just feel wrong in some way I can't explain, like when your hair has been up too long and taking it down kind of hurts. Which sort of supports my doubts about all these complaints I have, because it seems to imply this is all so hard just because it's not what I'm used to.
WOW, that was really long. Sorry if you just read it all, but I feel it was a good idea to try and communicate it, even though I only had partial success.
So obviously this has kind of been getting me down, and I've been really lacking in the self-confidence department of late. I was pretty happy with my Italian before, but now I feel it's weak at best. I feel pretty pathetic for continuing to get lost so often, too. I miss my sister a lot (we're best friends), and I miss using color, since it's where I feel most capable of communicating, and I feel really unsteady with no large project to sink my teeth into. I can't just fall into working on something because every other moment, whatever I'm working on is done. I know it's all in my head, and thinking to much only confuses stuff up there even more, so I've been trying to make my silly doubts go away. We'll see how it goes.
Anyways, since I didn't have a chance to upload my pictures from the Bologna art fair before, I'm linking to them now. I made some comments on the actual pictures about why I think each work is so amazing.
I made a mask for carnavale using some National Geographic magazines, which was really fun.
In themsequence, I've been feeling marginally more at ease, because making visual associations, for example, is something that flows naturally for me. I've been gathering everywhere; I picked a branch off an olive tree the other day (those trees are so odd and cool) and I've been collecting other such odds and ends.
Again, several other pictures up at my account on flickr; take a look-see if you wish.
Until next week, when I shall hopefully feel a little less buffeted by the waves. Arrivederci :)
Catherine
So life hear is weird. It is allot more hectic that allot of people said, but it is strangely OK. Just before I came to Florence I caught the flu and started to develop pneumonia. I was nearly bedridden for 8 days. My packing, which was supposed to be done leisurely over that time, suddenly got crammed into three days. Needles to say their are a couple of things I forgot and have slowly been requiring.
Its funny though. Being out for that long I think was actually good in a way. It gave me a chance to be free from my mind which is usually going 101 on a motorbike, without a helmet, down Via Calimata ( a street in the middle of Florence that changes names six times and always has traffic.) The mental break was good. Helped me relax. Get centered. Balanced. I never get enough time like that. Don't know how to find it. Sometimes when I'm really drawing, like when I was in Santa Croce, and I allow myself to just start and let the drawing take control I get close, but peace is hard to find.
My life hear is going well. I feel like I am starting to kind of click with the other students. I still ramble when I am nervous and can't tell if I am reading anyone right (teachers included) but it will work out.
I like drawing once I allow myself to let go and merge what I naturally do with the lessons on perspective from class. I plan on finishing my Santa Croce drawing tomorrow. Theme Sequence honestly is a challenge. The tasks sometimes feel jarring, repetitive, or arbitrary, but I can usually see at least what they are for. These are some of the brain storming things I did. I took words like Big Brother, tourist, and paparazzi and worked them into my pictures of cameras which were sometimes successful and sometimes utter failures, but were fun and engaging especially when I tried tying them together or making little worlds. I don't know if it at all fit what she was thinking but I really liked my giant robot destroying the tourists in Tokyo. I also liked my shredded paper that was burying the camera lens beneath it and was covered in tea. I liked trying to change what senses could be affected and liked the subtle connotations to 1984. (British tea, big brother watching, decay, buried reality) I cant say all the connotations came out well but I liked linking them none the less.
-Catherine
PS In the future I will try to post my installation and performance ideas.
Its funny though. Being out for that long I think was actually good in a way. It gave me a chance to be free from my mind which is usually going 101 on a motorbike, without a helmet, down Via Calimata ( a street in the middle of Florence that changes names six times and always has traffic.) The mental break was good. Helped me relax. Get centered. Balanced. I never get enough time like that. Don't know how to find it. Sometimes when I'm really drawing, like when I was in Santa Croce, and I allow myself to just start and let the drawing take control I get close, but peace is hard to find.
My life hear is going well. I feel like I am starting to kind of click with the other students. I still ramble when I am nervous and can't tell if I am reading anyone right (teachers included) but it will work out.
I like drawing once I allow myself to let go and merge what I naturally do with the lessons on perspective from class. I plan on finishing my Santa Croce drawing tomorrow. Theme Sequence honestly is a challenge. The tasks sometimes feel jarring, repetitive, or arbitrary, but I can usually see at least what they are for. These are some of the brain storming things I did. I took words like Big Brother, tourist, and paparazzi and worked them into my pictures of cameras which were sometimes successful and sometimes utter failures, but were fun and engaging especially when I tried tying them together or making little worlds. I don't know if it at all fit what she was thinking but I really liked my giant robot destroying the tourists in Tokyo. I also liked my shredded paper that was burying the camera lens beneath it and was covered in tea. I liked trying to change what senses could be affected and liked the subtle connotations to 1984. (British tea, big brother watching, decay, buried reality) I cant say all the connotations came out well but I liked linking them none the less.
-Catherine
PS In the future I will try to post my installation and performance ideas.
Thursday, January 29
Jorie
My art thus far in Florence has been influenced by little adventures I have been having; everything has the potential to be an adventure. They range in type, environment, activity, and include various other participants.
At this point, Italian still feels uncomfortable coming out of my mouth, so any time I walk into a store and proudly greet the owner with my horribly accented, poor excuse for Italian, I consider it an adventure.
Spending a night talking to a one-armed bar tender named Francesco about everything from Obama and Bush, to flowers and love was an adventure.
Being really cheesy and just walking around, feeling what there is to feel and learning how to be a part of a different place, even if that place may be extraordinarily uncomfortable at times; and I have felt those times.
But it is not my intention to be overdramatic. Instead, I wish I could run about with a little superhero adventure cape and fly off of walls and go about my little adventurous ways, but for now I must be content to do so in the comfort of “my” own home. I am completely content to run around with a foam sword and shiny plastic coat of armor, attempting to fend off my seven year old Italian brother, Tommasso. With a few quick jabs I am swiftly defeated, and he then elects to scamper about with my kneaded eraser while I try to catch him. The attempt is futile, and with his agile fingers he has quickly rolled it into a toothbrush mustache and is promptly wearing it.
Alas. I have yet to taste victory.
Thus far, my time in Florence has been spent inhabiting a place in my mind that absolutely terrifies me, but has also witnessed some really beautiful moments. I feel a gentle, quiet acceptance amongst Cristiana and Riccardo, my parents, and Tommasso and Giulio, my brothers, as they seem to understand that I am trying and trying; and this is all they ask of me.
It’s this mentality that the boys, Tommasso and Giulio seem to embrace so effortlessly: as long as you pay attention to them, and are willing to spend time with them, they give you their trust, their kindness, and their acceptance. I am really fascinated by their frame of mind so far, and it has continued to inspire me in my art making.
I have been pushed to charge onward having adventures, as long as I am allowed to come home afterwards and run around in a cape for an hour or so, with a family that makes me feel like a mad legit superhero.
At this point, Italian still feels uncomfortable coming out of my mouth, so any time I walk into a store and proudly greet the owner with my horribly accented, poor excuse for Italian, I consider it an adventure.
Spending a night talking to a one-armed bar tender named Francesco about everything from Obama and Bush, to flowers and love was an adventure.
Being really cheesy and just walking around, feeling what there is to feel and learning how to be a part of a different place, even if that place may be extraordinarily uncomfortable at times; and I have felt those times.
But it is not my intention to be overdramatic. Instead, I wish I could run about with a little superhero adventure cape and fly off of walls and go about my little adventurous ways, but for now I must be content to do so in the comfort of “my” own home. I am completely content to run around with a foam sword and shiny plastic coat of armor, attempting to fend off my seven year old Italian brother, Tommasso. With a few quick jabs I am swiftly defeated, and he then elects to scamper about with my kneaded eraser while I try to catch him. The attempt is futile, and with his agile fingers he has quickly rolled it into a toothbrush mustache and is promptly wearing it.
Alas. I have yet to taste victory.
Thus far, my time in Florence has been spent inhabiting a place in my mind that absolutely terrifies me, but has also witnessed some really beautiful moments. I feel a gentle, quiet acceptance amongst Cristiana and Riccardo, my parents, and Tommasso and Giulio, my brothers, as they seem to understand that I am trying and trying; and this is all they ask of me.
It’s this mentality that the boys, Tommasso and Giulio seem to embrace so effortlessly: as long as you pay attention to them, and are willing to spend time with them, they give you their trust, their kindness, and their acceptance. I am really fascinated by their frame of mind so far, and it has continued to inspire me in my art making.
I have been pushed to charge onward having adventures, as long as I am allowed to come home afterwards and run around in a cape for an hour or so, with a family that makes me feel like a mad legit superhero.
Monday, January 26
Siena
Allora, the past two weeks have been chock-full of sensory stimuli. I've started to feel comfortable with the bus system and plan on visiting Settignano as often as possible. I'm very conscious of how others view me, sticking out as a touristy American or blending into the crowd of Italians. So far, my only chance to be mistaken for a native is when I'm silent (and well-dressed). My goal is to one day pull off the charade while communicating verbally.
I've never lived in a city before. The tight streets and cramped spaces remind me that Europe has no wilderness, that Europeans have a very different way of interacting with their environment. Be it acute attentiveness to utility usage or meals on ice (very chill).
Thinking about the history of the city and how many revisions have been made is very interesting to me. Deciding to what era to restore the city relates to wilderness restoration in other parts of the world. Whatever stage of forest growth seems worthy enough be the be all end all ecosystem of a particular area is untrue to the perpetual flux of all natural systems. Some of the events in Florence's history are due to acts of nature, such as the 1966 flood, so in a way, Florence can be seen as an ecosystem in flux.
Photos
I've never lived in a city before. The tight streets and cramped spaces remind me that Europe has no wilderness, that Europeans have a very different way of interacting with their environment. Be it acute attentiveness to utility usage or meals on ice (very chill).
Thinking about the history of the city and how many revisions have been made is very interesting to me. Deciding to what era to restore the city relates to wilderness restoration in other parts of the world. Whatever stage of forest growth seems worthy enough be the be all end all ecosystem of a particular area is untrue to the perpetual flux of all natural systems. Some of the events in Florence's history are due to acts of nature, such as the 1966 flood, so in a way, Florence can be seen as an ecosystem in flux.
Photos
Sunday, January 25
Sylva's First Glances
I arrived in Florence gasping, and grasping the arm of the man sitting beside me, a man I did not know. I had been asleep, and woke up to the jarring sensation that the plane was going down. It was, in fact, going down (we were landing) but the plane was hesitant to stay on the ground, and after first contact it jumped up again, and sent all the passengers bouncing and jostling as it waggled to a stop. The poor Brit beside me had been astonished to be seized by the woman who had been drooling placidly only moments before, and at the time I mistook his startled look for further evidence that we were crash-landing. My heart was still pounding as I gathered my bags, but the warm, clear air that greeted me when I descended the stairs from the plane cast off some of the stress I’d been carrying from the day’s traveling. Siena and I had met Felicia in London and so we caught a cab from the airport together. Three people and 4 months of luggage for the fixed-rate price of 25 euros? Score! We were the last three in line, and lots of cabs were waiting, hoping for customers, and when they saw us all get into one cab, the other cab drivers exclaimed “Hai tutti le ragazze!” and “Tutti tre!” and ours replied “C’è la buona fortuna!”
I sat up front and gave directions, Via San Gallo 53 rosso. We arrived and checked in and met our housemate, Anna, and hailed a cab to head to the apartment where we met our hostmother Maria. . . . Sweetest. Woman. Alive. No, really. She’s amazing. The apartment is incredible; spacious and well furnished, nothing like the american schema for apartment. Maria took us around the neighborhood (zona stadio), helped us buy bus tickets, showed us our stop and which numbers to take, and even took Anna to get toiletries, and Siena and me to get stamps. Daniella, one of her daughters came home and was so enthusiastically welcoming, I then knew it would not be Harry Potter with the Dursleys. Unfortunately, the family is entirely too skilled with English, so we won’t drown in immersion, but they are wonderful about using Italian, even when it is somewhat challenging, to help us learn, and also English when we’re clearly too tired, or just really need to understand something well. We met the father and the older sister and had dinner, which was (Not just pasta!) an amazingly flavorful rice dish with meat and salad and more of the home made bread we’d had with tea earlier. It turns out she makes fresh home made bread every day. They engaged us in conversation, but also had a humorous word-play conversation which I caught some of, and they explained the rest after the laughter died down. “un lira di Dio.”
There you have my actual first, first impression of Florence.
Since then, I have continued to be amazed by the hospitality of our hosts; Maria woke us up the next morning when we would have otherwise been late, and she drove us yesterday to the train station to make sure we got the best and right travel tickets, and showed us the Esselungha grocery on the way. We went back to the grocery to get fixings for dinner at Grace and Laura’s. It was almost as packed as the nightbus home, aisles as narrow as the streets. I bought wine and bread, Anna and Leah got gnocchi and all the makings of a parmesan mushroom cream sauce. Siena covered a dessert of shortbread cakelets with poached pears and kiwi, and our hosts made salad and served lemon gelato with dessert. Not just eating, but cooking Italian!
And I think that’s the big idea! That we’re not here to run around and snap a few shots of the Duomo, that we actually have un indirezzo, we live in the city, and we will experience it as something more than tourists. In this city of history, we will be telling our story. In a place with so many layers, we will both observe and become part of the changes. Even watching out the bus window, one can see the layers form. The first day I saw a wall graffiti'd with ‘Israel è stato terrorista," then a few mornings later there was a layer of fresh gray paint, which then ran in the rain and became transparent by the afternoon ride, and was repainted the next day. . .I could write of so many more fantastic experiences, but I’ll spare you for now.
I want to see more of Florence.
I sat up front and gave directions, Via San Gallo 53 rosso. We arrived and checked in and met our housemate, Anna, and hailed a cab to head to the apartment where we met our hostmother Maria. . . . Sweetest. Woman. Alive. No, really. She’s amazing. The apartment is incredible; spacious and well furnished, nothing like the american schema for apartment. Maria took us around the neighborhood (zona stadio), helped us buy bus tickets, showed us our stop and which numbers to take, and even took Anna to get toiletries, and Siena and me to get stamps. Daniella, one of her daughters came home and was so enthusiastically welcoming, I then knew it would not be Harry Potter with the Dursleys. Unfortunately, the family is entirely too skilled with English, so we won’t drown in immersion, but they are wonderful about using Italian, even when it is somewhat challenging, to help us learn, and also English when we’re clearly too tired, or just really need to understand something well. We met the father and the older sister and had dinner, which was (Not just pasta!) an amazingly flavorful rice dish with meat and salad and more of the home made bread we’d had with tea earlier. It turns out she makes fresh home made bread every day. They engaged us in conversation, but also had a humorous word-play conversation which I caught some of, and they explained the rest after the laughter died down. “un lira di Dio.”
There you have my actual first, first impression of Florence.
Since then, I have continued to be amazed by the hospitality of our hosts; Maria woke us up the next morning when we would have otherwise been late, and she drove us yesterday to the train station to make sure we got the best and right travel tickets, and showed us the Esselungha grocery on the way. We went back to the grocery to get fixings for dinner at Grace and Laura’s. It was almost as packed as the nightbus home, aisles as narrow as the streets. I bought wine and bread, Anna and Leah got gnocchi and all the makings of a parmesan mushroom cream sauce. Siena covered a dessert of shortbread cakelets with poached pears and kiwi, and our hosts made salad and served lemon gelato with dessert. Not just eating, but cooking Italian!
And I think that’s the big idea! That we’re not here to run around and snap a few shots of the Duomo, that we actually have un indirezzo, we live in the city, and we will experience it as something more than tourists. In this city of history, we will be telling our story. In a place with so many layers, we will both observe and become part of the changes. Even watching out the bus window, one can see the layers form. The first day I saw a wall graffiti'd with ‘Israel è stato terrorista," then a few mornings later there was a layer of fresh gray paint, which then ran in the rain and became transparent by the afternoon ride, and was repainted the next day. . .I could write of so many more fantastic experiences, but I’ll spare you for now.
I want to see more of Florence.
chow!!! from felicia (:
okay. i'm eating yogurt and Wake Up cornflakes from the 1 euro store and it's delicious. the italian yogurt, i feel, has a richer and fuller taste than its american colleagues, though the cornflakes becomes soggier at a much faster rate.
since i've gotten here, the cultural (and culinary) comparisons have known no end. to be honest, i had been quite anxious and nervous about coming, but once i actually arrived, became immersed in Italia and all its narrow alleyways, green windows, intimidatingly well-dressed men and women, and all of its surrounding history and beauty, i was ready for the adventure that is to come. and i'm really, really excited :)
i don't think i need to reiterate how amazing it is to be here; florence is a hard city not fall in love with. i love all the little caffes on the corner, the little old ladies in those ridiculous mink coats, and how every corner of the city is some amazing work of art or piece of history. and the real suspicious lookin' guys selling watches outside our appartment (why our appartment, i dont know, but that's also how i recognize the entrance to our street from the market).
i'm also very excited for our program; so far, the readings have been so insightful and illuminating, and have been something i turn over in my mind as i roam the city. also, all the art openings and the Bologna art fair have probably been by far the most enjoyable and fulfilling experiences for me so far. seeing the work of contemporary artists has been thought-provoking and exciting. this whole experience so far has been strangely refreshing; i feel as though i've completely immersed myself in art. i wake up to a city that is a living museum, go to class to study art, i'm always around other art students, and even while i am wandering around i'm gathering and making notes. everything i do here is somewhat related to art. frankly, it's quite exhilirating.
my cornflakes are really soggy at this point so here are some photos and videos that i've gathered:
http://picasaweb.google.com/what.the.fel/Firenze#
arrivederci!
felicia.
since i've gotten here, the cultural (and culinary) comparisons have known no end. to be honest, i had been quite anxious and nervous about coming, but once i actually arrived, became immersed in Italia and all its narrow alleyways, green windows, intimidatingly well-dressed men and women, and all of its surrounding history and beauty, i was ready for the adventure that is to come. and i'm really, really excited :)
i don't think i need to reiterate how amazing it is to be here; florence is a hard city not fall in love with. i love all the little caffes on the corner, the little old ladies in those ridiculous mink coats, and how every corner of the city is some amazing work of art or piece of history. and the real suspicious lookin' guys selling watches outside our appartment (why our appartment, i dont know, but that's also how i recognize the entrance to our street from the market).
i'm also very excited for our program; so far, the readings have been so insightful and illuminating, and have been something i turn over in my mind as i roam the city. also, all the art openings and the Bologna art fair have probably been by far the most enjoyable and fulfilling experiences for me so far. seeing the work of contemporary artists has been thought-provoking and exciting. this whole experience so far has been strangely refreshing; i feel as though i've completely immersed myself in art. i wake up to a city that is a living museum, go to class to study art, i'm always around other art students, and even while i am wandering around i'm gathering and making notes. everything i do here is somewhat related to art. frankly, it's quite exhilirating.
my cornflakes are really soggy at this point so here are some photos and videos that i've gathered:
http://picasaweb.google.com/what.the.fel/Firenze#
arrivederci!
felicia.
Danny Greenberg Post Number One
Wow, I have a lot to say—
But before I forget, my flickr address http://www.flickr.com/photos/silenceofthedans/
Though people think I am, I am not necessarily an optimistic person. So when I first arrived in Italy, deprived of a night of sleep, recovering from the culture shock of the silence and efficiency of the Frankfort airport, and shlepping my bag over cobble stone streets I was not digging Florence. A few days later I had experienced some good food, great architecture, some trashy American Television dubbed in Italian, but I didn’t love the city yet. I started making mental notes of how Florence was different than the US, and I came across the obvious realization that Jana had told us about on the second day—‘Florence is all about the food.’ So when my suite was invited to eat dinner with the architecture suite, I decided to cook gnocchi with Monica, Felicia, and Josh. I quickly discovered that I loved cooking. That night planted the seeds for great friendships. Since then I have been having a fabulously fantastic time.
On another note completely…
Thursday night I walked home with a friend and we reflected on Jana’s and Regan’s classes followed by an unusually deep conversation—but for the sake of this blog I’ll paraphrase a few relevant ideas we discussed. Essentially we were trying to figure out why artists are so creative. I divided our final sentiments into numbers, and each point is built upon previous points.
1. Formal training in art through observation—drawing and sculpting from life—builds a unique understanding of the physical world around us. So from there artists learn to consciously control compositions to create a specific mood and relationship between the subject and the viewer, with both obvious and subtle uses of visual elements, creating a sophistacated work of art (this is what Regan discussed in her class).
2. Furthermore the act of creating art from observations allows one to draw visual comparisons between one object or environment to another.
3. This ability to note comparisons between dissimilar objects and or environments holds potential for the creation of a visual metaphor.
4. Metaphors are one of the most sophisticated methods of exposition and thinking. This is so because metaphores are used to explain complex, cerebral sentiments in more simple concrete fashion.
5. Thus the thesis is, through the act of observational drawing an awareness of subject matter is gained which leads to the ability to draw (no pun intended) visual comparisons. From there visual comparisons may be used to create strong conseptual, metaphorical works of art.
Maybe all of this is only relevant to me, but as an art and english major want to try to link the two.
But before I forget, my flickr address http://www.flickr.com/photos/silenceofthedans/
Though people think I am, I am not necessarily an optimistic person. So when I first arrived in Italy, deprived of a night of sleep, recovering from the culture shock of the silence and efficiency of the Frankfort airport, and shlepping my bag over cobble stone streets I was not digging Florence. A few days later I had experienced some good food, great architecture, some trashy American Television dubbed in Italian, but I didn’t love the city yet. I started making mental notes of how Florence was different than the US, and I came across the obvious realization that Jana had told us about on the second day—‘Florence is all about the food.’ So when my suite was invited to eat dinner with the architecture suite, I decided to cook gnocchi with Monica, Felicia, and Josh. I quickly discovered that I loved cooking. That night planted the seeds for great friendships. Since then I have been having a fabulously fantastic time.
On another note completely…
Thursday night I walked home with a friend and we reflected on Jana’s and Regan’s classes followed by an unusually deep conversation—but for the sake of this blog I’ll paraphrase a few relevant ideas we discussed. Essentially we were trying to figure out why artists are so creative. I divided our final sentiments into numbers, and each point is built upon previous points.
1. Formal training in art through observation—drawing and sculpting from life—builds a unique understanding of the physical world around us. So from there artists learn to consciously control compositions to create a specific mood and relationship between the subject and the viewer, with both obvious and subtle uses of visual elements, creating a sophistacated work of art (this is what Regan discussed in her class).
2. Furthermore the act of creating art from observations allows one to draw visual comparisons between one object or environment to another.
3. This ability to note comparisons between dissimilar objects and or environments holds potential for the creation of a visual metaphor.
4. Metaphors are one of the most sophisticated methods of exposition and thinking. This is so because metaphores are used to explain complex, cerebral sentiments in more simple concrete fashion.
5. Thus the thesis is, through the act of observational drawing an awareness of subject matter is gained which leads to the ability to draw (no pun intended) visual comparisons. From there visual comparisons may be used to create strong conseptual, metaphorical works of art.
Maybe all of this is only relevant to me, but as an art and english major want to try to link the two.
Wardrobe Malfunction
The past couple of weeks have been, well, a little disorienting for me. Regardless of the fact that I carry a map with me wherever I go, I feel as if - in the vernacular of Florentine stereotypes - someone has thrown me into a duomo full of crazy rice (with milk) and I'm expected to wade though it. There is a definite plus side to this: crazy rice tastes amazing. I have never been so, well, at peace with getting lost. Navigating my way through a foreign city has been an adventure to say the least, and learning the nuances of Florentine culture never ceases to amaze me.
Our hike to Fiesole was stunning. Very cold though. Especially when wearing shorts, which I found out, is like a visual mating call on the dark streets of Florence, even when they are just gym shorts. I feel like graffiti-ing il Duomo naked, while eating a sandwich could not afford me as much attention. Not that that is advisable. Anyways, speaking of clothing choice, in Bologna we stumbled across a huge outdoor, mostly vintage market where I bought a white and purple ski suit and wore it around town and to a few clubs. Words don't do that jumpsuit justice, trust me; it was the best purchase of my life. And much more practical than the heels I wore it with when I shuffled over to the club (the suit is very warm and somewhat waterproof). Oddly enough though, I got more stares and catcalls with the gym shorts, although I believe some American tourists honked at me while I was exiting the nightclub in this Michelin-man-miracle. So, note to self, if you want to create deliberately awkward encounters, dress like a soccer mom from the states and not like a backup dancer from a Whitney Houston music video.
Sorry if that was a rambling, disconnected entry - it was a stylistic choice mirroring my tendency to get lost in side streets around the city.
Monica
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34755165@N03/
Our hike to Fiesole was stunning. Very cold though. Especially when wearing shorts, which I found out, is like a visual mating call on the dark streets of Florence, even when they are just gym shorts. I feel like graffiti-ing il Duomo naked, while eating a sandwich could not afford me as much attention. Not that that is advisable. Anyways, speaking of clothing choice, in Bologna we stumbled across a huge outdoor, mostly vintage market where I bought a white and purple ski suit and wore it around town and to a few clubs. Words don't do that jumpsuit justice, trust me; it was the best purchase of my life. And much more practical than the heels I wore it with when I shuffled over to the club (the suit is very warm and somewhat waterproof). Oddly enough though, I got more stares and catcalls with the gym shorts, although I believe some American tourists honked at me while I was exiting the nightclub in this Michelin-man-miracle. So, note to self, if you want to create deliberately awkward encounters, dress like a soccer mom from the states and not like a backup dancer from a Whitney Houston music video.
Sorry if that was a rambling, disconnected entry - it was a stylistic choice mirroring my tendency to get lost in side streets around the city.
Monica
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34755165@N03/
// Laura Javier // 01
I'm sure the posts will gain some more structure as the course progresses and the work develops, but in the meantime enjoy the arbitrary observations...
Regarding the veracity of Mauricio's "Italian culture" handout
[1] "Don’t mop up sauce or olive oil with your bread. You may use it to gather a little sauce, but not to wipe the plate clean." False. Do it. Especially if the bread is the saltless Tuscan variety which -- impossibly -- has a subtractive taste.
[2] "Italians never cut lettuce. They fold it into a small parcel with their knife and fork." True. The Italian instructor asked us with sincere interest how one could eat lettuce without folding it.
[3] "A passionate and eloquent speech will produce better results than cold reasoning as Italians are guided by their emotions rather than by their intellect and rules." Irrelevant. Our Italian skills do not allow for any form of speeches, eloquent or otherwise. Simply say, "Va bene!"
A pair of superlatives
Favorite Italian personality -- waiter at Bologna's Trattoria Bel Fiore who refreshingly refrained from conversing with us in English and instead spoke at length in Italian about the city of Bologna. And the food was excellent.
Least favorite Italian personality -- produce vendor at the Mercato Centrale who miscalculated -- I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt -- my change by five euro and then angrily waved me away after I insisted he correct the error. But the food was excellent.
Some quotes
[1] We watched "L'ultimo Bacio" in Italian Cinema this past week and will watch the American adaptation this coming week in an attempt to compare Italian and American culture. Two lines: "Normality is the true revolution," and "I don't know what to do with my freedom."
[2] An amusing coincidence of quotations (from separate sources) from this week's core readings: ". . . we have become so individualized and conditioned to experience ourselves as separate, we now have an actual fear of community" and "We have been strenuously conditioned against solitude. To be alone is considered to be a grievous and dangerous condition."
[3] "No, it can't be Swiss cheese! Why would they serve us Swiss cheese in Italy?" -- anonymous
Some challenges
[1] Conceptual coursework as opposed to requests of the "please design this for me" variety. Art -- with its capital "A" -- is a bit of a foreign concept.
[2] Drawing (well) without freezing one's fingers off.
(I absolutely guarantee that this is the longest post I'll write... TL;DR!)
theme sequence
obligatory tourist
past work
--- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---
Ciao from Firenze
Ciao ragazzi! My first two weeks in Florence have been amazing. I couldn't think of a better place to study art. We literally live in a living museum and there are tons of students from all over the world. Just last night I went to a party where I met people from all around the world, including some really interesting locals.
Encountering different people and cultures might be my favorite part of this experience. For example at my homestay, it is me, another student from Wash U, a thirty one year old Japanese student, and my homestay mom. The Japanese student hardly speaks English and even less Italian. So between the two American students and my homestay mom who doesn't speak any English a lot is lost in translation over dinner. I look forward to every dinner, not only because everything is delicious, but because every dinner is a hilarious exchange of cultural differences.
However, we aren't allowed to cook in her kitchen. So, I just finished a delicious dinner that me and three other students made. We have started a weekly tradition of making dinners on Sundays. This is great because we all are learning how to cook. I am already looking forward to what we will come up with for next week.
Encountering different people and cultures might be my favorite part of this experience. For example at my homestay, it is me, another student from Wash U, a thirty one year old Japanese student, and my homestay mom. The Japanese student hardly speaks English and even less Italian. So between the two American students and my homestay mom who doesn't speak any English a lot is lost in translation over dinner. I look forward to every dinner, not only because everything is delicious, but because every dinner is a hilarious exchange of cultural differences.
However, we aren't allowed to cook in her kitchen. So, I just finished a delicious dinner that me and three other students made. We have started a weekly tradition of making dinners on Sundays. This is great because we all are learning how to cook. I am already looking forward to what we will come up with for next week.
Noah's "america brunch"
This morning i made pancakes. my vermont based family would not have been impressed but my new italian family was psyched. in fact, they invited over about half a dozen friends for the occasion and i found myself making "america brunch" for a small party. It was a new thing for this group and it went over very well. I'm glad to have finally earned my keep with the chelazzi family.
so far i have not found much to dislike while i'm here. The food and wine are delicious and plentiful and i'm starting to feel like i have a decent handle on the city. every time i get asked for directions in a language that is not english i feel like it's a small victory. today i got interviewed for some italian television show and i almost pulled it off until i couldn't figure out how to say "romantic comedy" in italian and i was exposed as the straniero that i am. shit.
beginning to see the world in 1 point perspective.
noah
so far i have not found much to dislike while i'm here. The food and wine are delicious and plentiful and i'm starting to feel like i have a decent handle on the city. every time i get asked for directions in a language that is not english i feel like it's a small victory. today i got interviewed for some italian television show and i almost pulled it off until i couldn't figure out how to say "romantic comedy" in italian and i was exposed as the straniero that i am. shit.
beginning to see the world in 1 point perspective.
noah
Monica Learns to Pick Up Fruit with Gloves On
Like a lot of you guys posting on this blog, I am having some trouble squeezing the last two weeks into just one blog post. Everything is so amazing! In fact, I felt a little overstimulated when I first arrived. Living in an apartment forces you to find out how to get things done, and fast. For example, all of us arrived starving on the first night. The necessity of eating helped us get over our fear of talking to shopkeepers (and we subsequently made a new friend, Rodney the falafel guy). Our need for toilet paper led us to find out my personal favorite store, One Price (la spesa a un prezzo certo!). But even just my activities this afternoon sort of sum up the very enjoyable things you can kind of just stumble upon in Firenze.
I woke up around 11 this morning (the San Lorenzo bells make sure I don't sleep too long) and I went with my suitemates to Santa Croce for the chocolate festival. It was better than the candy forest in Willy Wonka's factory. They had the most amazingly inventive chocolates such as little chocolate sheep, cups, alligators, huge chocolate sledgehammers, seashells, and of course chocolate liqueur. I would have never guessed the fair would be so fun or so exciting if I hadn't seen it myself. That was lesson number 1 I had to learn about Firenze: you have to go out and see things for yourself. Other people's stories just don't do anything justice.
The second lesson is of course is be flexible and forgive yourself for the language barrier issues. I experienced that when I accidentally ordered 11 euros worth of chocolate (I was shooting for around 3). But I took it anyway happy that I was at least able to communicate with the Italian chocolatier. I'm still in the awkward phase of my spoken Italian.
I suppose the third lesson I've learned so far is just to observe. I learned this after the chocolate fair when Felicia and I went to the antiques market. There were so many interesting things to look at, it can get a little overstimulating. I equate this to the amazing collection of art and architecture Firenze has to offer. But the close examination is worth it; I was surprised over and over again by what I found at the antiques market, just as I am surprised when I pay attention to the details in San Lorenzo church and the facade of the Duomo.
So all in all it's been a great first two weeks. With the new friends I've made and my new sense of adventure, I fully expect it to get even better.
Oh, and I suppose lesson number 4 is don't buy fruit at Centro Supermercato unless you wear their special gloves.
- Monica McClain
First impressions...
I really can't decide what to write. So many things have happened - I've seen so many faces, places, and things...
I feel like the past two weeks have rushed by without my noticing. What I find amazing here is walking down the street with everyone else, everybody rushing, chatting, eating, walking...everyone in this one city. In the midst of all this bustle I find that I'm really grateful for some very small things - a smile or a nod or even eye contact.
Florence has been amazing. I feel the immense enormity of possibility here - going to art fairs and gallery openings has been really eye-opening and inspiring. I love the ancient sculptures, I love the graffiti, I love the little details on doors and windows and lamp posts. I've taken in so much already and I feel incredibly inspired.
Ahhh, Florence.
- Grace Hong
I feel like the past two weeks have rushed by without my noticing. What I find amazing here is walking down the street with everyone else, everybody rushing, chatting, eating, walking...everyone in this one city. In the midst of all this bustle I find that I'm really grateful for some very small things - a smile or a nod or even eye contact.
Florence has been amazing. I feel the immense enormity of possibility here - going to art fairs and gallery openings has been really eye-opening and inspiring. I love the ancient sculptures, I love the graffiti, I love the little details on doors and windows and lamp posts. I've taken in so much already and I feel incredibly inspired.
Ahhh, Florence.
- Grace Hong
Jennifer and Nutella
So, Nutella and I have developed an especially deep bond these first two weeks here in Florence, so that 5 Euro Nutella pizza we found around the corner from our Italian class...probably not the best idea. Anyway, there's so much to say about Firenze! I don't think any amount of info sessions and advice can really prepare someone for being thrown into another culture. I still cannot quite grasp that I walk by Ghiberti's golden "Gates to Paradise" everyday, and that I can see Brunelleschi's Duomo from my window, if not from every window in Florence. Every wall, every door, every corner is saturated with hundreds, if not thousands of years of rich history. Wandering around, I was surprised at how small the city actually is. Monica and I were exploring after class one day and found ourselves lost at Santa Maria Novela, but then turned one corner and surprisingly found that we were back in San Lorenzo market, which I thought was a good 20 minute walk from Santa M.N.
The food is of course amazing! Our host mother makes us HUGE dinners every night. I can hardly ever finish it all, and she was appalled that she would have leftovers, because apparantly leftovers are a faux pas. I don't really understand how she thought Monica and I could one night finish thick zucchini and potato soup, 6 hamburgers, one pizza, chopped fennel, bread, and fruit, just between the two of us, because she and her husband were having octopus and didn't think we would like it. Dios Mio! Despite these "cene grandi", we do find ourselves searching for cheap meals in between classes. Vivian, Megan, and I stumbled upon some great pizzas and sandwhiches for small prices at a cute bakery called "Forno".
I am so excited for all of my classes. I have to admit, having our first perspective drawing being in Santa Maria Novella, with its two hundred feet tall arches and marble columns, was a bit intimidating. But I found that Regan and Zolar are fabulous teachers who know so much about everything. In our Theme sequence course , we talked about what has inspired us so far in Florence. I have particularly been attracted to, as Jana put it, the "decay of the man-made". This could be seeing the layers of paint peeling away from ancient stone underneath, cracks in the cobble stone pavements, or just the weathering and staining of statues and monuments. I love the combination of free organic forces and the ordered forms of man-made structures. There is a constant tension between nature, both human and earthly (although, can they really be seen as separate?), and the construction of society that is evident with every step through this city. I am excited to see how this observation, as well as many others affects my work this semester.
Here are some selected photos I have accumulated both from Florence and from the Art Fair in Bologna.
Ciao a tutti!
Jen
Leah Nixon-- It was love at first sight
When Miles (the Italian Greyhound) and I first locked eyes, it was love at first sight.
And that's exactly how I felt again as I hiked the hills between Settignano and Fiesole.
And that's how I felt when I tasted Maria's cooking for the first time.
Such a rush of gratitude to be here in Florence--after having a rough start to my trip with having to stay in North Carolina over night and not knowing where to go after I got to Piazza Stozzi--I was amazingly grateful to see familiar faces, as well as unfamiliar sights, tastes and customs.
Because I've been here for two weeks now, what I think now of Florence is much different than how I first felt about it. I was confused for the first week and a half about the layout of the city, and how to tell the difference between streets. I'm not from a big city, and where I come from, I can tell where North is because of the sun. Where I'm from the sky is HUGE. Here I can only see cracks of its grey between the buildings--thus not being able to tell directions by the sun, but rather having to go by memory and landmarks.
That's why I was so in love when we went hiking. It put me at total peace to see the hills and the olive trees and the big beautiful sky and sun that i've so dearly missed.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that my experience here has been filled with contradictions. It's different from home, but I'm super thankful to be here. The city is confusing, but that's part of what makes it fun. Things are expensive, but generally better quality. I can't decide if I like the graffiti because it makes me realize that this city is home to young hooligans, or if I hate the graffiti because it's mostly not artistic and it's desecrating the beautiful, old buildings. My tongue and brain get tried of trying to speak Italian, but when I hear English on the streets it annoys me.
I'm figuring things out right now. I don't have answers to what interests me most, I don't have answers to whether I am cut out for being a "real" artist. I'm just observing and absorbing right now.
Links to two things:
my flikr photos for this week
and a quote I stumbledupon that reminded me of what we've been talking about in class
And that's exactly how I felt again as I hiked the hills between Settignano and Fiesole.
And that's how I felt when I tasted Maria's cooking for the first time.
Such a rush of gratitude to be here in Florence--after having a rough start to my trip with having to stay in North Carolina over night and not knowing where to go after I got to Piazza Stozzi--I was amazingly grateful to see familiar faces, as well as unfamiliar sights, tastes and customs.
Because I've been here for two weeks now, what I think now of Florence is much different than how I first felt about it. I was confused for the first week and a half about the layout of the city, and how to tell the difference between streets. I'm not from a big city, and where I come from, I can tell where North is because of the sun. Where I'm from the sky is HUGE. Here I can only see cracks of its grey between the buildings--thus not being able to tell directions by the sun, but rather having to go by memory and landmarks.
That's why I was so in love when we went hiking. It put me at total peace to see the hills and the olive trees and the big beautiful sky and sun that i've so dearly missed.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that my experience here has been filled with contradictions. It's different from home, but I'm super thankful to be here. The city is confusing, but that's part of what makes it fun. Things are expensive, but generally better quality. I can't decide if I like the graffiti because it makes me realize that this city is home to young hooligans, or if I hate the graffiti because it's mostly not artistic and it's desecrating the beautiful, old buildings. My tongue and brain get tried of trying to speak Italian, but when I hear English on the streets it annoys me.
I'm figuring things out right now. I don't have answers to what interests me most, I don't have answers to whether I am cut out for being a "real" artist. I'm just observing and absorbing right now.
Links to two things:
my flikr photos for this week
and a quote I stumbledupon that reminded me of what we've been talking about in class
Rachel Krislov e´ a Firenze!
Hey all! Rachel here, feeling a bit silly and as thought I'm writing in a diary. But I shall persevere!
The concept that I am now supposed to recount everything I've experienced since getting here is a little daunting. I've even been here a couple days longer than most of the rest of us! And while that is still only about 2.5 weeks, it really does feel like eons.
To start with beginning, I arrived with my wonderful aunt Reenie (or Maureen, if one must adhere to legal names) on the 9th (Friday). We spent most of the time together eating out, shopping, and just exploring. It was a great test for my italiano! I really enjoyed pushing myself to speak the language.
Next, I met up with Catherine and we both took a taxi to our new home on the opposite side of the river. The place definitely has a different feel than the touristy district-- it's less decorated, less grandiose, and more practical. Our family is amazing, consisting of four other women, and they patiently dealt with our italian illiteracy. We now converse much less awkwardly, partly out of increased fluency and partly out of feeling less alien in our surroundings. My growing speaking ability is really exciting for me!
The rush of orientation, I must admit, did not appeal to me, but I certainly do understand why it was necessary. The best parts did not really begin until after the adaptation stage was over.
Meanwhile, my fellow students and I ducked into mercati, art supply negozii (Zecchi!), and the ever-adored 1 euro store. It was becoming less difficult to walk from one location to the next, though I still lack the ability to find San Gallo Campus without a great deal of difficulty.
The beauty that is casually strewn around us here, like the Duomo and the numerous churches, doesn't awe me in the same step-pausing way it did when I first got here, and what really awes me now is our ability to take it all for granted. I am determined to fight this tendency.
And I haven't even gotten to Fiesole of the art fair in Bologna yet! Both were amazing experiences with so many entrancing images packed into one place that it was difficult to believe they could fit (though Fiesole will doubtless be more pleasant when Cat and I visit again minus the rain).
Everyone around me seems to have become fascinated with one or another aspect of Firenze, but I cannot truly say the same for myself. It is certainly beautiful, its age is awing, and its people are intriguing, but there's just too much for me to understand what inside the treasure chest might be most precious to me. I suppose I shall just have to wait and see.
I have so much more that I say, but for now I'll walk home along the river before it gets dark out.
Ciao and see you next week!
[PS - my other photos here]
happy ending.
I don't appreciate my writing, especially at the moments like this because I could not possibly retrieve every unique moment I've had here, and put them into words, which often are too flat and definite to express all you saw, felt and thought. But I'll try.
If I were to sum up the impression I have on this city, Florence, I'll have to quote my host mom, and say "e la citta di liberta!" Sorry for all the efforts that the chief policeman put in to tell us how unfriendly the people are and scary the city is, but no. Even though people here put up the "I don't want to talk to you-face" at first, they are so invity and willing to help once you show that you are willing to learn from them and their culture.
Italy is a special place to me in its own unique way. The florentine culture is like the italian pizza with Korean dough, american cheese and italian spice on top of it. It surpises me how italian culture is just like the mixture of the two cultures inside me (not to forget the result of the mixture is something completely different on its own way). The close personal distance among the people, the public laws quite disregarded by the "freedom" within the culture and etc. remind me so much of the Korean culture that is as ancient as Florentine culture. But at the same time, the society so much open for people to express themselves in various forms (art, music, and sports...) reflects the liberal and priceless part of the american culture. While I feel so home here, I shouldn't take the culture that I'm already so adapted to for granted, but go out to find the hidden italian spice on this pizza that I landed on.
The sun finally came out today and it shines on the most priceless life that I'll try to absorb as much as possible from now on.
I can't wait till I paint the whole city onto my canvas.
Maybe I'll paint the taste of Florence as well, or sculpt out every single "cucina" my host mom makes everynight. wait, that would be impossible since she makes so much for us every meal.
oh well. happy story starts now, and I know it'll have a happy ending.
Here are the photos I've taken so far...
If I were to sum up the impression I have on this city, Florence, I'll have to quote my host mom, and say "e la citta di liberta!" Sorry for all the efforts that the chief policeman put in to tell us how unfriendly the people are and scary the city is, but no. Even though people here put up the "I don't want to talk to you-face" at first, they are so invity and willing to help once you show that you are willing to learn from them and their culture.
Italy is a special place to me in its own unique way. The florentine culture is like the italian pizza with Korean dough, american cheese and italian spice on top of it. It surpises me how italian culture is just like the mixture of the two cultures inside me (not to forget the result of the mixture is something completely different on its own way). The close personal distance among the people, the public laws quite disregarded by the "freedom" within the culture and etc. remind me so much of the Korean culture that is as ancient as Florentine culture. But at the same time, the society so much open for people to express themselves in various forms (art, music, and sports...) reflects the liberal and priceless part of the american culture. While I feel so home here, I shouldn't take the culture that I'm already so adapted to for granted, but go out to find the hidden italian spice on this pizza that I landed on.
The sun finally came out today and it shines on the most priceless life that I'll try to absorb as much as possible from now on.
I can't wait till I paint the whole city onto my canvas.
Maybe I'll paint the taste of Florence as well, or sculpt out every single "cucina" my host mom makes everynight. wait, that would be impossible since she makes so much for us every meal.
oh well. happy story starts now, and I know it'll have a happy ending.
Here are the photos I've taken so far...
Alex Jacobs I
Where to begin? I am completely infatuated by Florence. This city has to be one of the most culturally diverse places I've ever visited and incredibly engaging. I never want to leave. The food, atmosphere, culture, air, fashion, color, disposition....EVERYTHING is just so different and it's an amazing thing to experience. I just walk around and have to stop constantly to take it all in. I'm enraptured by the florentine designs that are so original and ornate and different. The color combinations are unique and vibrant. I never would have thought to create designs in the way this culture has for the last 700 years.
My favorite part of this whole experience thus far would have to be my homestay. My "Mama" is an unbelievable cook and her laughter is so contagious. I can't wait to go home in the evenings and just breath in the tuscan cuisine that's radiating from the kitchen. I love conversing with her in Italian and am learning constantly. This is the first time that I've ever thoroughly enjoyed my classes and want to do my homework. It doesn't feel like work at all. It's amazing how all of our classes are connected and overlap. I've never experienced anything like this. We're being graded on what we're attracted to and what interests us. We have to go out and explore the city and take pictures ....it's just the most amazing thing.
Here are my pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34626939@N03/sets/72157612935996975/
Here are my pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34626939@N03/sets/72157612935996975/
Alexandria's first impressions :)
So I've been in Florence how for exactly two weeks and everything is overwhelming, I think that is the best word. I had never been to Italy and I really had no expectations of the city, apartment, food and overall culture. I still don't feel quite settled in and during that first week especially, and still a little now, I was pretty homesick.
I love being able to walk everywhere because you can see much more and notice new things. When I first arrived I couldn't really believe how close I was living next to the Duomo, the San Lorenzo market and church and then I realized that that is how the whole city is, every one kind of coexists with all this amazing history, art, and architecture and goes about their daily lives. That sort of brings me to what I said in class about all the amazing details and embellishments with hidden symbolism and years and years of history behind them that are present everywhere you look. I also really enjoyed the hike to Fiesole and decided to spend the rest of the day there just exploring. Me and Laura were trying to get to the Roman and estruscan ruins but ended up walking all the way up to a cemetery and completely around the entire archeological site until we found it and realized the entrance was right near where we ate lunch.... But that walk was very interesting the back streets were so quiet until a car or scooter would zoom by. There were also amazing views across the hills and the ruins, so it was worth it. The ruins were also really amazing. They are so ancient that I can't even imagine who stood here before me and what happened and there is this really weird feeling of time just all compressed into one moment, its difficult to explain in words I guess.
I'm ready for classes to start on some kind of normal schedule and as I am looking forward to all of them. All of a sudden I have a renewed interest in the art of the renaissance and before and after and the history, so art history I am very excited for. I am also excited for having class on site! I'm not going to want to sit in a classroom when I go back to wash u. I'm also really excited for the small trips around Italy that we will be taking throughout the semester and the Bologna trip this weekend was a good first one.
So, here are some pictures from these first weeks. Some from Fiesole and I included a few from the Bologna Art Fair.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34681266@N02/sets/
I love being able to walk everywhere because you can see much more and notice new things. When I first arrived I couldn't really believe how close I was living next to the Duomo, the San Lorenzo market and church and then I realized that that is how the whole city is, every one kind of coexists with all this amazing history, art, and architecture and goes about their daily lives. That sort of brings me to what I said in class about all the amazing details and embellishments with hidden symbolism and years and years of history behind them that are present everywhere you look. I also really enjoyed the hike to Fiesole and decided to spend the rest of the day there just exploring. Me and Laura were trying to get to the Roman and estruscan ruins but ended up walking all the way up to a cemetery and completely around the entire archeological site until we found it and realized the entrance was right near where we ate lunch.... But that walk was very interesting the back streets were so quiet until a car or scooter would zoom by. There were also amazing views across the hills and the ruins, so it was worth it. The ruins were also really amazing. They are so ancient that I can't even imagine who stood here before me and what happened and there is this really weird feeling of time just all compressed into one moment, its difficult to explain in words I guess.
I'm ready for classes to start on some kind of normal schedule and as I am looking forward to all of them. All of a sudden I have a renewed interest in the art of the renaissance and before and after and the history, so art history I am very excited for. I am also excited for having class on site! I'm not going to want to sit in a classroom when I go back to wash u. I'm also really excited for the small trips around Italy that we will be taking throughout the semester and the Bologna trip this weekend was a good first one.
So, here are some pictures from these first weeks. Some from Fiesole and I included a few from the Bologna Art Fair.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34681266@N02/sets/
* * *
Ciaoooo!
It's been two weeks in Florence, but I feel as if I've seen, heard, felt, and experienced enough stimulus to last me an entire month - it's amazing. In trying to sum up everything so far, I feel like it's just a huge patchwork of sights, sounds, smells... from the hiccuping sirens echoing up through the narrow streets to the aroma of bus fumes intermingling with this sweet, heavenly pastry smell every morning as I stand waiting to cross the street by the Duomo.
One of the things that's really been fascinating me has been the relationship between this city and those who pass through it, specifically in relation to graffiti art. I know it's been said, but with its tremendous architecture, Florence really does give off this vibe of being in a living museum; its aching stone buildings have stood for years... have witnessed generations upon generations come and go... then, you have these gorgeous, old wooden doors and these stone facades dripping with tags - some of it artistic, some of it not so much. The question I've been wrestling with is whether or not it's an addition to the city or just a blemish. For me, it's almost a sign of life, of someone crying out amongst the anonymity of this place - reaching out to anyone that will listen, so to speak. It's a sign that the city is still living, breathing, pushing forward. But, is it purely ego, or something more? Is the relationship black and white? Is defacing really defacing?
Anyway, that's only a small facet of everything so far. For me, Florence is becoming a compilation of little moments, snapshots, and experiences that somehow come together into one, beautiful whole. Speaking of snapshots, here's a few: http://www.flickr.com/photos/euphemisms/
State bene!
Erin Mitchell
It's been two weeks in Florence, but I feel as if I've seen, heard, felt, and experienced enough stimulus to last me an entire month - it's amazing. In trying to sum up everything so far, I feel like it's just a huge patchwork of sights, sounds, smells... from the hiccuping sirens echoing up through the narrow streets to the aroma of bus fumes intermingling with this sweet, heavenly pastry smell every morning as I stand waiting to cross the street by the Duomo.
One of the things that's really been fascinating me has been the relationship between this city and those who pass through it, specifically in relation to graffiti art. I know it's been said, but with its tremendous architecture, Florence really does give off this vibe of being in a living museum; its aching stone buildings have stood for years... have witnessed generations upon generations come and go... then, you have these gorgeous, old wooden doors and these stone facades dripping with tags - some of it artistic, some of it not so much. The question I've been wrestling with is whether or not it's an addition to the city or just a blemish. For me, it's almost a sign of life, of someone crying out amongst the anonymity of this place - reaching out to anyone that will listen, so to speak. It's a sign that the city is still living, breathing, pushing forward. But, is it purely ego, or something more? Is the relationship black and white? Is defacing really defacing?
Anyway, that's only a small facet of everything so far. For me, Florence is becoming a compilation of little moments, snapshots, and experiences that somehow come together into one, beautiful whole. Speaking of snapshots, here's a few: http://www.flickr.com/photos/euphemisms/
State bene!
Erin Mitchell
Holly in Firenze 1
Ciao!
After only being here in Florence for about 2 weeks, there are so many things to talk about. I was definitely shocked when I arrived, and it has taken me a while to settle in. Rolling my 80 lbs of luggage down the cobblestone streets and having italians stare at me in confusion was not really the welcome I had envisioned. My bag kept flipping over every 3 steps, but no one else seemed to have this issue. Also, I remember Mauricio mentioning that Florence was a fairly loud city, but I did not know just HOW loud it is at night. I did not sleep well the first few nights with all of the market carts rolling down the cobblestone, people yelling, singing, and the street cleaner. But I finally got some earplugs and I've slept like a baby since.
Florence as a city is such an opportunity for inspiration. I am really drawn to the intricate details and patterns visible on every building, window display, sewer drain, and door. Being from the countryside of Kentucky, I also like to be surrounded by nature. Although green is a rare sight in the center of Florence (seeing as the dogs all have to poop on the sidewalks), the hike to Fiesole was very refreshing to me. The lifestyle of Florence is also very bustling, yet relaxed. This can be both refreshing but frustrating when you need to get something, take cashing traveler's checks for example (it took me a week and 6 banks to finally get money).
One place I have found I like spending time in is the Central Food Market by San Lorenzo. It is entertaining to listen to all the italian around me and everything is so colorful. I like seeing all the different food and people thrown together, and I have had more luck communicating with others in italian there more than anywhere so far. One thing I would advise NOT to do: order everything in kilos...depending on what you get, it is a LOT of food, but it lasted us a long time! I am excited to explore other areas of Florence and gather inspiration for my artwork. I am so happy to be learning in this environment and to have such detailed documentation of my time here!
Holly Graham
Here are some photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollyg10/sets/
After only being here in Florence for about 2 weeks, there are so many things to talk about. I was definitely shocked when I arrived, and it has taken me a while to settle in. Rolling my 80 lbs of luggage down the cobblestone streets and having italians stare at me in confusion was not really the welcome I had envisioned. My bag kept flipping over every 3 steps, but no one else seemed to have this issue. Also, I remember Mauricio mentioning that Florence was a fairly loud city, but I did not know just HOW loud it is at night. I did not sleep well the first few nights with all of the market carts rolling down the cobblestone, people yelling, singing, and the street cleaner. But I finally got some earplugs and I've slept like a baby since.
Florence as a city is such an opportunity for inspiration. I am really drawn to the intricate details and patterns visible on every building, window display, sewer drain, and door. Being from the countryside of Kentucky, I also like to be surrounded by nature. Although green is a rare sight in the center of Florence (seeing as the dogs all have to poop on the sidewalks), the hike to Fiesole was very refreshing to me. The lifestyle of Florence is also very bustling, yet relaxed. This can be both refreshing but frustrating when you need to get something, take cashing traveler's checks for example (it took me a week and 6 banks to finally get money).
One place I have found I like spending time in is the Central Food Market by San Lorenzo. It is entertaining to listen to all the italian around me and everything is so colorful. I like seeing all the different food and people thrown together, and I have had more luck communicating with others in italian there more than anywhere so far. One thing I would advise NOT to do: order everything in kilos...depending on what you get, it is a LOT of food, but it lasted us a long time! I am excited to explore other areas of Florence and gather inspiration for my artwork. I am so happy to be learning in this environment and to have such detailed documentation of my time here!
Holly Graham
Here are some photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hollyg10/sets/
Anna's first impressions
It's been 2 weeks, and I feel like I'm finally settled here in Florence. For me, the strongest impressions of Florence have been mostly of people.
There was the woman who helped me find my platform in the train station in Rome, 7 minutes before it was about to leave; all my hard work in first semester Italian was rewarded right then, when I talked with an Italian for the first time! (I also found it interesting that she had just as much trouble reading the ticket as I did, and I felt less self-conscious about not being a native.)
The sarcastic "taxista" who said his job was "absolutely fascinating" when I asked, and the other one who seemed to gush about his job without being asked.
Then there was Maria, who sat us down in her (our) kitchen when we first arrived, serving us tea, the delicious brown bread that she bakes every day, and marmellata. She and Paolo are hilarious with their banter at the dinner table, but always willing to slow down and explain a play on words and enthusiastic about correcting our (and each other's!) speaking. "Lui e' peggiore di un bambino!" Mario says of Paolo when he's at his most ridiculous. "He's worse than a little kid!"
I also remember the Italians sitting in the bar eating their lunch as a group of loud American students came in, shouting about whether or not the Redskins had played last night, insulting each other's partying abilities, and announcing their dissatisfaction with the food. I flinched at each of these offenses, but the Italians just continued to go about their business, carrying on their quiet conversations and giving a casual glance in the direction of the students every now and then.
While I do think it's true that most people on the street avoid eye contact in passing, my overall impression is not a cold one. Once I've begun to interact with a person, they've always very welcoming and friendly. The other day we were eating in a restaurant, and I was nervous about how polite it was to leave my stuff there and go for a run while Siena, Leah, and Sylva ate their lunch. But when I got back, our server (who was also the restaurant owner) seemed genuinely indifferent to the way I was dressed and was more than happy to go back and get me a coffee. Maybe that was just professional courtesy, but--afterwards the restaurant cleared out, and he joked around with us as he sat for us to draw his portrait!
The laundromat is also a good (albeit expensive!) place to meet people. Leah and I had a nice conversation with a signora who lives two blocks away but was using the laundromat for the first time (prompting a lot of curiosity on our parts), and we also met a Senegalese muratore, or bricklayer. (I was reading a book about the Duomo, and he said he wished there was as much work to do now as there was then!) He lives in Fiesole, the Etruscan town in the hills where we finished our hike last weekend. He's been in Italy for 10 years! He spends 10 months working and 2 months visiting his family, although in 2 or 3 years he'll probably go back to Senegal. He had to drive all the way down to our laundromat to do his laundry, because everybody else in Fiesole has their own washer and dryer! This was who finally explained the Florence soccer scene to me! Basically, Florence is the Cubs and Juve is the Cardinals. We (Florence) keep having hope that we can beat them, but it never happens. (There was a game last night in Torino, Juve's home stadium, with the usual results.) He also said that Berlusconi owns (if I understood right) Inter, the Milan team. I thought it was quite interesting that everybody seems to like Inter, but nobody seems to like Berlusconi.
The fact that my entire post has been about people isn't to say that the art isn't interesting. But the art was expected and anticipated and has been built up for so long, that the people just caught me by surprise.
Pictures are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34856259@N07/
There was the woman who helped me find my platform in the train station in Rome, 7 minutes before it was about to leave; all my hard work in first semester Italian was rewarded right then, when I talked with an Italian for the first time! (I also found it interesting that she had just as much trouble reading the ticket as I did, and I felt less self-conscious about not being a native.)
The sarcastic "taxista" who said his job was "absolutely fascinating" when I asked, and the other one who seemed to gush about his job without being asked.
Then there was Maria, who sat us down in her (our) kitchen when we first arrived, serving us tea, the delicious brown bread that she bakes every day, and marmellata. She and Paolo are hilarious with their banter at the dinner table, but always willing to slow down and explain a play on words and enthusiastic about correcting our (and each other's!) speaking. "Lui e' peggiore di un bambino!" Mario says of Paolo when he's at his most ridiculous. "He's worse than a little kid!"
I also remember the Italians sitting in the bar eating their lunch as a group of loud American students came in, shouting about whether or not the Redskins had played last night, insulting each other's partying abilities, and announcing their dissatisfaction with the food. I flinched at each of these offenses, but the Italians just continued to go about their business, carrying on their quiet conversations and giving a casual glance in the direction of the students every now and then.
While I do think it's true that most people on the street avoid eye contact in passing, my overall impression is not a cold one. Once I've begun to interact with a person, they've always very welcoming and friendly. The other day we were eating in a restaurant, and I was nervous about how polite it was to leave my stuff there and go for a run while Siena, Leah, and Sylva ate their lunch. But when I got back, our server (who was also the restaurant owner) seemed genuinely indifferent to the way I was dressed and was more than happy to go back and get me a coffee. Maybe that was just professional courtesy, but--afterwards the restaurant cleared out, and he joked around with us as he sat for us to draw his portrait!
The laundromat is also a good (albeit expensive!) place to meet people. Leah and I had a nice conversation with a signora who lives two blocks away but was using the laundromat for the first time (prompting a lot of curiosity on our parts), and we also met a Senegalese muratore, or bricklayer. (I was reading a book about the Duomo, and he said he wished there was as much work to do now as there was then!) He lives in Fiesole, the Etruscan town in the hills where we finished our hike last weekend. He's been in Italy for 10 years! He spends 10 months working and 2 months visiting his family, although in 2 or 3 years he'll probably go back to Senegal. He had to drive all the way down to our laundromat to do his laundry, because everybody else in Fiesole has their own washer and dryer! This was who finally explained the Florence soccer scene to me! Basically, Florence is the Cubs and Juve is the Cardinals. We (Florence) keep having hope that we can beat them, but it never happens. (There was a game last night in Torino, Juve's home stadium, with the usual results.) He also said that Berlusconi owns (if I understood right) Inter, the Milan team. I thought it was quite interesting that everybody seems to like Inter, but nobody seems to like Berlusconi.
The fact that my entire post has been about people isn't to say that the art isn't interesting. But the art was expected and anticipated and has been built up for so long, that the people just caught me by surprise.
Pictures are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34856259@N07/
megan&food.
I love good food. As such, a lot of my experiences so far have been related to food so I think it's the most appropriate way to share them.
La colazione- Mister Good brand "Crazy Rice"
It's amazing how quickly one becomes assimilated to a new place. It's only been two weeks but it's enough time for me to become shamelessly addicted to "Crazy Rice" cereal. It's also enough time for me to get accustomed to pane toscano. Dare I say it, I think I may have even grown to love it. On the topic of breakfast foods, don't make "Vert-mont" pancakes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Ever.
Il pranzo- Tagliatelle alla bolognese
I didn't realize how different Florence was until after visiting Bologna. Because it has such a transient population from the abundance of tourists and study abroad students, it's easy to complain that Florence is very touristy. But I think its through doing things like walking around and letting yourself get hopelessly lost that you can really discover a city's culture. One of my best meals so far was when we wandered the streets of Bologna to find a tiny trattoria where we got fresh, homemade pasta. But what really made the meal memorable (other than the fact that the food was delicious) was that we befriended the waiter. He gladly explained all the dishes, told us about his sister, and gave us tips on where to shop.
La cena- Gnocchi alla gorgonzola, insalata mista, e tiramisù
I thought it was a good omen when I got here and Vincenzo had made tiramisù. Because if you know me at all, you know that my favorite dessert of all time is tiramisù. That said, I already know I'm going to miss our "family" dinners with Vincenzo, Angelo, Saqid (a Turkish ex-pat from Switzerland), Vivian, and I trying to cram into his tiny kitchen. It's a mish-mash of good food, Italian/English/Spanish/German/French, funny conversations about Madonna and Kylie Minogue, and ridiculous charades. Vincenzo getting on all fours to imitate a pig will forever be imprinted in my mind.
(Click title for photos).
La colazione- Mister Good brand "Crazy Rice"
It's amazing how quickly one becomes assimilated to a new place. It's only been two weeks but it's enough time for me to become shamelessly addicted to "Crazy Rice" cereal. It's also enough time for me to get accustomed to pane toscano. Dare I say it, I think I may have even grown to love it. On the topic of breakfast foods, don't make "Vert-mont" pancakes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Ever.
Il pranzo- Tagliatelle alla bolognese
I didn't realize how different Florence was until after visiting Bologna. Because it has such a transient population from the abundance of tourists and study abroad students, it's easy to complain that Florence is very touristy. But I think its through doing things like walking around and letting yourself get hopelessly lost that you can really discover a city's culture. One of my best meals so far was when we wandered the streets of Bologna to find a tiny trattoria where we got fresh, homemade pasta. But what really made the meal memorable (other than the fact that the food was delicious) was that we befriended the waiter. He gladly explained all the dishes, told us about his sister, and gave us tips on where to shop.
La cena- Gnocchi alla gorgonzola, insalata mista, e tiramisù
I thought it was a good omen when I got here and Vincenzo had made tiramisù. Because if you know me at all, you know that my favorite dessert of all time is tiramisù. That said, I already know I'm going to miss our "family" dinners with Vincenzo, Angelo, Saqid (a Turkish ex-pat from Switzerland), Vivian, and I trying to cram into his tiny kitchen. It's a mish-mash of good food, Italian/English/Spanish/German/French, funny conversations about Madonna and Kylie Minogue, and ridiculous charades. Vincenzo getting on all fours to imitate a pig will forever be imprinted in my mind.
(Click title for photos).
Saturday, January 24
Mamma Mia!
—Soo's new favourite expression, especially regarding Monica's new, purple jumpsuit (5 euro, a total win). I, on the other hand, settled for an 8 euro "cashmere" scarf in the San Lorenzo market. I figured it couldn't hurt to practice my hopeless bargaining skills here, braving aggressive vendors ("Very nice bag! Would you like another one?" to Jen. And to us, "Very stylish ladies! You are single, please think about that").
The cultural wallop of being transplanted from St. Louis to Florence is rather exhilerating, though overwhelming at times. I think it's worth it to brave the glare of elderly women on the bus, if it means enjoying a breathtaking view of Florence from the hills of Settignano. I'm not confident enough to try biking in the city, but I can appreciate their audacity as they determinedly try to squeeze in the 10-inch gap between moving vehicles.
In the future weeks, as I try to absorb everything around me (I feel like a baby trying take in a new world with a new language), I am sure I will find elements that will seduce the artist in me. However, I'm still a bit reluctant to pin down any one aspect of Florence for future investigation. I'm a sucker for the classical art here, but feel as if Florentine culture has been stereotyped for its colourful past, overlooking the present people and culture. Florence is like a time capsule, unevenly preserving aspects from antiquity to contemporary.
Here are some photos from our first week.
~Mara
The cultural wallop of being transplanted from St. Louis to Florence is rather exhilerating, though overwhelming at times. I think it's worth it to brave the glare of elderly women on the bus, if it means enjoying a breathtaking view of Florence from the hills of Settignano. I'm not confident enough to try biking in the city, but I can appreciate their audacity as they determinedly try to squeeze in the 10-inch gap between moving vehicles.
In the future weeks, as I try to absorb everything around me (I feel like a baby trying take in a new world with a new language), I am sure I will find elements that will seduce the artist in me. However, I'm still a bit reluctant to pin down any one aspect of Florence for future investigation. I'm a sucker for the classical art here, but feel as if Florentine culture has been stereotyped for its colourful past, overlooking the present people and culture. Florence is like a time capsule, unevenly preserving aspects from antiquity to contemporary.
Here are some photos from our first week.
~Mara
Florenzia, Florenze, Florence
-Catherine-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34545917@N05/sets/72157612894808785/
Scary, how much time has and hasn't past!Florence is very cool. I have officially gotten lost 4 times and "misplaced" about a dozen more. The locals are allot nicer than they say though and will help you out if you are desperate.
So I am sure the other students will tell you about the hike we did. It was great despite the rain and of my photos are from there. Their is a monastery their but something about how/when I entered got me stopped and I had no idea what the guy was saying. I was even following all of the sign rules like no talking or listening to cell phones. It was about the most awkward thing I have ever experienced.
My home stay family is great. They wont let me take a picture yet as they are not "looking prity" but I think I can convince them soon. The Dinners are Divine and the 4 women; mother, 2 daughter age 26 and 30,+ permanent guest British women(Jane is Great) are all really nice and a hoot to watch.
So on too actual art stuff... I have been doing allot of night shots for fun on my small digital which are on my flicker. I have also been doing some drawings on my self which are so much fun because it is great to see how people react and I like how it makes the work more intimately a part of me or the person I am drawing on. Anyway, I drew some ruff sketches of the pieces at the Bologna art fair on my arm that really impacted me. It was interesting to see peoples expressions. Some people just looked and seemed to think about it but others(especially the ones who were clearly their to bid) looked like they were thinking "gee, what a stupid thing to do." My other shots are sketches and the like from my gathering of things from around Florence. By the way, the title of my post is from the various names that Florence was called over time gotten from maps in the cartography museum. Well cuoi for now. -Cat
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34545917@N05/sets/72157612894808785/
Scary, how much time has and hasn't past!Florence is very cool. I have officially gotten lost 4 times and "misplaced" about a dozen more. The locals are allot nicer than they say though and will help you out if you are desperate.
So I am sure the other students will tell you about the hike we did. It was great despite the rain and of my photos are from there. Their is a monastery their but something about how/when I entered got me stopped and I had no idea what the guy was saying. I was even following all of the sign rules like no talking or listening to cell phones. It was about the most awkward thing I have ever experienced.
My home stay family is great. They wont let me take a picture yet as they are not "looking prity" but I think I can convince them soon. The Dinners are Divine and the 4 women; mother, 2 daughter age 26 and 30,+ permanent guest British women(Jane is Great) are all really nice and a hoot to watch.
So on too actual art stuff... I have been doing allot of night shots for fun on my small digital which are on my flicker. I have also been doing some drawings on my self which are so much fun because it is great to see how people react and I like how it makes the work more intimately a part of me or the person I am drawing on. Anyway, I drew some ruff sketches of the pieces at the Bologna art fair on my arm that really impacted me. It was interesting to see peoples expressions. Some people just looked and seemed to think about it but others(especially the ones who were clearly their to bid) looked like they were thinking "gee, what a stupid thing to do." My other shots are sketches and the like from my gathering of things from around Florence. By the way, the title of my post is from the various names that Florence was called over time gotten from maps in the cartography museum. Well cuoi for now. -Cat
è stato già due settimane! - Vivian Jauregui
Ciao! (or to say it like a proper Italian, chooowwwwww!). I can't believe that two weeks have already gone by! It's been an interesting experience so far, to say the least (exciting, stressful, beautiful, embarrassing...), but I think that I'm finally beginning to settle in. The city is truly astounding, it really is like walking through a museum. I love how everything is so ornate; there isn't one facade that doesn't have something on it to make it stand out. I also love the use of pattern, patterns are everywhere (gates, buildings, paper)... nothing is left un-embellished. The only problem thus far, has been trying to communicate with people in Italian, not because I can't, or don't understand them (which I almost always do); it's just that many are quick to assume I'm just another tourist passing through, and abusing the city for all it's worth... I hope as my speaking skills get better that this will improve, or maybe it's just a matter of adjusting to the way everything is done, and being confident when I ask the women working at the bar for my prosciutto panino with mozzarella. It was nice finally getting a taste of our classes this week, I can already tell that this experience is going to be worlds different from the learning I've experience inside Bixby, and I can't help but wonder/worry about the freedom of it all, but we'll see... I know it will be a good experience for me.
Attached I've linked some photos I've taken from around the city; many are of the sights, or the graffiti that covers the walls.
Saluti!
- Vivian
Attached I've linked some photos I've taken from around the city; many are of the sights, or the graffiti that covers the walls.
Saluti!
- Vivian
Wednesday, January 21
Welcome to Florence!
Hello everyone,
Welcome to our group blog! I hope all of you are settling in, adjusting, and ready for a fantastic semester! This blog will serve as an individual and group diary, a forum to document your thoughts/experiences/observations as they relate to our class. Each week you will post a written statement and 5-10 images that describe your visual thinking. (please use Flickr http://www.flickr.com or if you are a gmail user, you might try Picasa Web Albums, the internal google photo sharing program).
Each week you should post by Sunday night and this week will be our first “official” posting. (You certainly don’t have to wait until Sunday to do it, however.) I will give you the sign in/password information in class on Thursday. For this first post, you might describe your first impressions and experiences and link to some images from the Gathering assignment.
You might take a look at last year’s blog for inspiration: http://bodyandarchitecture.blogspot.com
Yesterday’s inauguration was quite an auspicious beginning to our semester. I hope everyone is filled with the optimism and faith that this new era holds for all of us. Lets use that positive energy throughout the semester and channel it into our work.
I’m looking forward to working with you this semester and getting to know each of you and your work.
Jana
Welcome to our group blog! I hope all of you are settling in, adjusting, and ready for a fantastic semester! This blog will serve as an individual and group diary, a forum to document your thoughts/experiences/observations as they relate to our class. Each week you will post a written statement and 5-10 images that describe your visual thinking. (please use Flickr http://www.flickr.com or if you are a gmail user, you might try Picasa Web Albums, the internal google photo sharing program).
Each week you should post by Sunday night and this week will be our first “official” posting. (You certainly don’t have to wait until Sunday to do it, however.) I will give you the sign in/password information in class on Thursday. For this first post, you might describe your first impressions and experiences and link to some images from the Gathering assignment.
You might take a look at last year’s blog for inspiration: http://bodyandarchitecture.blogspot.com
Yesterday’s inauguration was quite an auspicious beginning to our semester. I hope everyone is filled with the optimism and faith that this new era holds for all of us. Lets use that positive energy throughout the semester and channel it into our work.
I’m looking forward to working with you this semester and getting to know each of you and your work.
Jana
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