BLENDING Newsletter November 2015

NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 7 - YEAR 5 | PALAZZI/FUA | NOVEMBER 2015

Santa Croce showcases Giuseppe Castiglione, also known as Lang Shining, for the first time in Italian history.

SANTA CROCE: TRANSFORMING ART THROUGH CONNECTING CULTURES

by Erica Kavanagh and Sarah Waller Photos courtesy of Opera di Santa Croce

He picked up his things and moved fearlessly across the world. Unsure of what he would find, he desired to share his thoughts and beliefs. Surprisingly, the foreign culture impacted every aspect of his life - from his name to his art.

Giuseppe Castiglione, better known as Lang Shining, traveled to China from Milan as a Jesuit missionary in 1715. His open mind earned him a spot in the Chinese court as a painter. Through cultural exchange, Castiglione blended the Renaissance ideals of shading and atmospheric perspective into the Chinese art, creating a new style. This transformative technique epitomizes the international customs Castiglione experienced. Through his art, we share his adventure of understanding culture - the surprising similarities and the stark differences. Centuries later, Castiglione's originative ideas return again to Italy.

The current exhibition at Santa Croce Museum, The Temple of Memory, showcases Castiglione’s work for the first time in his Italian homeland. This exhibition fuses traditional media and multimedia material in a new type of gallery. Technology brings the art to life, recreating the magic the world once saw in the 1700s. To create the experience, Opera di Santa Croce collaborated with the National Palace Museum of Taiwan, which created an exhibition especially for the Opera di Santa Croce.

Santa Croce, located in the historic district of Florence, symbolizes significant cultural unification by connecting differing views across the world. The same complex where greats such as Michelangelo and Galileo are buried hosts Castiglione’s exhibit. Santa Croce isn’t only a church for the bishops or the

devout; it’s a church for mankind. This unique church honors people, not by their financial standing at birth or religious affiliation, but by contributions to mankind. Castiglione created a cultural dialogue that benefited everyone involved.

The cultural crossroads of Santa Croce serves as a home to a different type of communication - art. Both Santa Croce’s permanent works and Castiglione’s exhibition transcend language, culture, and beliefs.

Castiglione’s exhibit embodies the Santa Croce’s ideals of transformative art. His work revolutionized an entire region, created cross-cultural dialogue, and speaks to similar unifying threads. Castiglione inspires his audience to keep their minds open and to immerse themselves into foreign cultures.

IN THE OTHER’S LANGUAGE Giuseppe Castiglione Jesuit And Painter In China (1715-1766) Lang Shining New Media Art Exhibition 31 October 2015 - 31 January 2016 Opening hours: 9.30-17.00 Florence, Santa Croce, Sala del Memoriale (entrance from Largo Bargellini) - Entrance free Information from: Opera di Santa Croce ph + 39 055 2466105

ART

3 REASONS FOR SEEING JEFF KOONS IN FLORENCE Do you appreciate fine art, such as detailed paintings of the Roman Empire? Or how about the sculptures of the terracotta army in China?

What about balloon animals? I'll tell you all the details you need to know in order to see pieces like these in the work of contemporary artist Jeff Koons.

Koons is an American artist known for his reproduction of commonly done artwork with a twist. His most famous piece is an orange, stainless steel balloon dog sold for a record-breaking 55 milions at Christie's, New York. It became the most expensive piece of art sold by a living artist in 2013.

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by Cheree Fraser Photo by Josh Berendes

WHY VISIT THE EXHIBIT? Reason 1 It's Contemporary.

Koons's exhibit is only in Firenze from September 25 to December 28, 2015. A new sculpture has been placed outside Palazzo Vecchio to mark his presence. It is a statue of Pluto and Proserpina incorporated with live plants. This is the first time in 500 years a new, original statue has been placed in Piazza della Signoria. His contemporary art is very different than what the Piazza della Signoria is used to displaying. Most sculptures are copies or thousands of years old. For the first time in a long time, Koons will be the first artist to place contemporary art in the square. Coming to such a historical place with such ancient art, he feels honored with this contribution. “It is an honor for me to have been invited to Florence to represent contemporary art and to have one of my works displayed between Michelangelo and Donatello,” he said in a recent ANSA article.

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NOVEMBER 2015

Reason 2 It's shiny.

Koons’s artwork is known for being produced in stainless steel with a mirroring finishing touch. In all of his work you can see your own reflection, creating a philosophical effect when observing the artwork. His exhibit, Gazing Ball, is a work where he places shiny, blue balls on areas of unstable balance on plastered sculptures from the Greek-Roman period. The objective is to distract observers from the perfection of the sculptures and bring them back to reality.

Reason 3 You’re invited!

For only a few euros you can visit one of the most noted artists that will be leaving Florence soon. His exhibit is located in Palazzo Vecchio, which is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Sundays it is open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.

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HOW TO EXPOSE ART INTO A SEA OF THE GREATEST

by Neeka Matthews Photo by the author

When asking two students Dave Morris and Kurt Bunten, who are studying music production at Florence University of the Arts, how they feel bringing modern art into a sanctuary full of preserved and cultural art, their answer was simple – they are drawn by the intimacy of passion.

Whether you smell the aroma of a cappuccino as it foams to perfection and manifests with intricate detail from the barista next door; see an artist painting along the bridge of Ponte Vecchio, stroking bristle by bristle the warm colors of red, orange, and yellow reflected by the sunset in view; or hear the music produced by musicians, soothing the ears of tourists and locals as they listen to the words and find peace within them-there is not a doubt that Florence is an eye-sight full of passion, and that is why these two students choose to expose themselves as musical artists in the heart of such a passionate city.

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To wrestle amongst some of the world’s most sacred, historical pieces by bringing in a fresh, musical taste from the works of Morris and Bunten could be an intimidating triumph, but that is not the purpose of their performance.

“Italians love American music so I want to expose myself as an artist to enlighten my current audience,” said Morris.

A cold, non-eventful Wednesday night rolled around to be one full of joy through the sound of music, as I had the pleasure to witness a performance by Morris and Bunten on the steps of Santa Croce. Their set was full of John Mayer classics as well

as a handful of original songs. Bunten plucked away at his ukulele to harmonize the vocals and guitar strings that were strummed by Morris, and I was simply in awe of the performance.

“Timing is everything,” said Bunten. “We choose our performances based on the location and time of day, not to disrespect what Florence has to offer – We just hope to add to the passion that is already induced by this city and share our passion as well.”

To find the music by Dave Morris and Kurt Bunten, log onto Spotify and search “Dave Morris.”

NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 2015

FOOD & WINE

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER

by Katherine Meis Photo by Josh Berendes

I have climbed the never-ending steps of the Duomo, enjoyed renowned gelato at Grom, and window-shopped on the Ponte Vecchio.

I have traveled to a different destination every weekend, and I believed I was getting the most out of my study abroad experience—until I realized that I had not yet made any significant effort to meet Italians.

After arriving upon this awareness, I decided to venture out one night and attempt to blend in with the Italian culture and see what I could learn.

I live on Via di Santo Spirito, so I already have greater exposure to Italian culture than most people on the Duomo side of the river. Santo Spirito is on the less-touristy side of the Arno, and the majority of the population walking the streets is made up of native Italians. My roommate and I had heard from a young Italian woman that the Santo Spirito and Santo Croce squares were the place to be if you are a twenty-something Italian looking to have fun. Since the Santo Spirito is a mere block away from our apartment, we decided we would spend time there the next day.

Aperitivo is an Italian cultural experience not to be missed, so we decided that we would head to the piazza around 7 p.m. Our search led us to Pop Café, a quaint bar with lots of outdoor seating that serves vegetarian aperitivo to what appeared to be a crowd of lively locals. We decided to go with the classic spritz, an aperitivo favorite, and chose snacks from a wide buffet selection of sautéed brussels sprouts and spinach dishes,

chicken platters, pesto pasta, and an array of salads.

We sat outside the café and sipped and ate and observed. There was a cluster of young men and women standing by us, laughing in unison. Another group full of rambunctious, younger women who we perceived to celebrating a bachelorette party chatted away in loud, happy voices. The majority of the other tables were filled with small groups of friends or couples. The energetic atmosphere that was pulsing from every being in the piazza was enough to convince us to come back often.

Since that evening, my roommate and I have become regular participants of the square to observe and partake in the piazza ritual of socializing.

While seeing the grand tourist sites and getting tastes of other European cultures every weekend are incredible additions to any study abroad experience, it is through the time spent in my neighborhood of Santo Spirito where I feel I gain the most out of my semester experience in Italy.

TRAVEL

VERONA: BEYOND THE LOVE STORY

by Marisa Bellanca Photo by the author

Verona is a city that is commonly visited to get a real-life look at the story of Romeo and Juliet. Though Shakespeare did not write non-fiction, Verona makes these 15th century characters come to life as though they truly lived and died in this small town. However, there are places in Verona that were built before the Romeo and Juliet era, sites more amazing and historical than the story itself.

During my short visit, I discovered things I didn’t expect; ancient monuments just as magical as Shakespeare’s famous novel.

My friend and I took a spontaneous trip to Verona. The bus dropped us off at the train station, wet, cold, and exhausted.

We were ready to see all things Shakespeare then head back to Florence. Upon our steps off the bus we saw an arena, fully intact and beautiful. We decided to go inside. Walking on the stone floors, brushing my fingers along the walls, I felt history.

Built in the first century, this arena is still standing as tall as it did 2,000 years ago. Real people walked where I was walking, real people touched what I was touching centuries ago. As we

walked through to the exposed area, the sky opened up and I could immediately imagine gladiators fighting to their death and fans screaming for action. I had then realized that this was better than any fictional story. This experience was like walking through time, and I wish Verona was more well-known for the true history that it holds rather than a fictional love story.

Romeo and Juliet will forever be one of my favorite plays, and I am grateful this story made me want to visit Verona because it holds a history that should not be underestimated.

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FASHION

VINTAGE NOSTALGIA IN THE HEART OF FIRENZE

by Taylor Transtrum Photos by Christina M Garcia

I discovered the American inspired vintage boutique, Melrose Vintage, during my everyday route to class. I stopped right in my tracks when I saw the store, and I was drawn into the boutique by familiar tunes and brightly dressed mannequins. As an avid vintage fan, I had to explore. After my first trip to Melrose, I was already planning my next trip back. For my interview, I was fortunate enough to get to interview owner Giuseppe Di Leo with the help of employee Mayu Hotta, who acted as the translator.

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NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 2015

When did Melrose Vintage open?

1988 Can you tell me about the history behind Melrose Vintage?

When my brother was living [in] America, I begged him to send me used Levi 501s. Because of his time spent in America, I was able to get many connections from him for purchasing vintage clothing. I decided to open my first vintage store in Pistoia at 22 years old because of my passion for vintage clothing.

I see that Melrose has a lot of American influence. Why did you choose this for your store?

I love the American style, and I thought it would be good for business.

Where do you find most of your clothing?

Most of our clothing comes from a wholesaler. About 80 percent of the clothing in store is from America, and 20 percent is from Europe.

What are your most popular styles of clothing in-store?

We sell a lot of clothes from the 70s and 80s for themed parties.

Where do you gain the most style inspiration, both personally, and for your store?

I gain a lot of inspiration from our customers. When a customer is satisfied with their shopping experience, it really builds my self-confidence in our store.

What is your favorite part of owning Melrose Vintage?

My favorite part of owning Melrose is stocking the clothing and finding hard to get items, such as clothing from the 40s and 50s and Levi’s Big “E.” Melrose Vintage has two locations in the heart of Florence.

For my interview, I visited the store at Via de Ginori 18, but you can visit them at Largo Alinari 8 as well.

UNRAVELING THE HISTORIES BEHIND ANCIENT TATTOOING

by Rebecca Menezes Photo by the author

Canvases, statues, literature, classical music, and...tattoos? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Florence is more than just the Renaissance art, it is also body art. In October the city hosted the 8th edition of Florence Tattoo Convention, the biggest ink event in Europe. It gathered more than 300 artists from all around the globe and approximately 18,000 visitors.

The event is much more than just tattooing. It features famous artists, body piercers, tattoo supply stores, trendy clothes, food shops, live shows, graffiti displays, paintings and sculptures, body painting, interactive interventions and of course, tattoo contests.

Among all of these attractions, spectators are often drawn to the artists who perform their work with different

ancient forms of tattooing instead of using machine guns. Among the techniques, you can find Tebori, Irezumi, Wabori, Tatau, Maori, Porinerian, and others.

But why so many names if they all look the same? Tenkiryu, from the Honke Horiyoshi Family, explains that although the techniques may look the same they are different - the tools also

differ from one type to the other, and it is all a family tradition. He is a Tebori artist and learned the technique with his master Honke Horiyoshi, one of the famous Tebori artist and the oldest tattooing family in Japan. He says these different and ancient tattoo styles always occupy an important space at conventions and are surrounded by curious watchers.

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“We have a duty to research more about these techniques and always improve them to the next generation as our master did for us. There is no rivalry between different artists, we all want to improve the art and respect each other” said Tenkiryu when asked about the competition between techniques.

Techniques can differ by their meaning.

“Irezumi” means literally placing ink into skin; any type of tattoo to the average Japanese person would be considered Irezumi. “Bori” means to scratch, so Tebori is inputting ink by hand. It’s not an exact science and not always

about the technique, but sometimes about the drawing itself. It depends on the person’s cultural background and the artist’s as well.

However, Japan is not the only culture with ancient techniques. Filipinos, Polynesians, Indonesians Samoans, Aztecs, and other populations throughout the world also have a very strong tattoo traditions with techniques associated to a special meaning.

Elle Festin is the founder of Spirit Journey Tattoo Studio & Tribal Gallery in California, which began as a traditional Filipino hand-poked technique

and works today with different ancient styles to revive the story. Employees all use handmade tools and the ancient technics of their own cultures to keep memory alive. The opening of the studio has resulted in more positive exposure for the Filipino style of tattooing, allowing it to teach about specific cultures through this art.

Tattooing is an art form that unites all kinds of individuals. When combined with history and culture, it is no wonder that tattoos are so widespread and that they are much more than ink on the body.

STUDENT VOICE

A NIGHT WITH THE FIORENTINA

by Sara Allison Photo by Josh Berendes

For as long as I can remember growing up, Sunday nights consisted of watching football. My family would gather around the television waiting for our favorite teams to kick off. Last Sunday, I was cheering in the stands of Stadio Artemio Franchi waiting for the match to start.

It was a different kind of kick off and futbol than I am used to. I heard the cheers of die-hard fans and the smell of popcorn triggering the memories from home. I couldn’t help but smile as the stadium filled with chants and screams as the game began.

Suddenly the stadium was silent. The players of Fiorentina and their opponents, Atalanta, seemed confident as they took their positions on the field.

The referee blew his whistle signaling kickoff, the match was underway and the crowd roared. Firoentina had an early lead thanks to Ilicic and Borja Valero both scoring a goal each in the first half. Fiorentina kept that lead well through the second half, when Verdu extended the lead by one resulting in the final score, 3-0 Fiorentina. This year marks the 89th season 8

of competition for the Fiorentina team and the first time in over fifteen years they have been ranked first in their flight. This team has definitely had their ups and downs in the past, from winning a championship in the 1960s to declaring bankruptcy in the 1990s. Luckily, this 2015-2016 season has been a fresh start for the team with new management of the club and huge triumphs in their flight.

Although Fiorentina soccer was not the type of football I’m used to cheering for, it was a different experience that I’m glad I was able to be a part of. For any athletes or sports enthusiasts studying abroad, I highly recommend going to a game. The thrill of professional competition was like a little hint of home and an exciting way to spend my Sunday night.

NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 2015

TWO WRITERS IN LONDON AND FLORENCE

by Lauren Berry (with excerpts from Emilee Robinson)

Photo by the author

I never cared for technology until I came to Florence. Honestly, I found the world of cellphones and computers to be distracting and dense, and I didn’t want to be a member of that club – I even deleted Twitter several times. But here it is the main thing holding my life away from home together, and the person on the other end just might be the best listener to my stories.

When I met my friend, Emilee Robinson, last January through our blogging internship, we knew instantaneously after a month of friendship our bond would be forever. We took on the world within our city, capturing its life with our cameras and pouring our hearts into our writing. Our constant cravings for adventure only progressed, and by the following August, we were parting ways for my semester in Italy and her semester in London.

As writers, we like to capture what we see, eager to unravel our stories, hoping someone else will feel those same emotions we have felt. Being in two different countries, Emilee and I have emailed and learned that the power of technology is our closest friend. We’ve written down our experiences and found our daily routines seem to mirror one another. From hectic drivers to the tea and caffé time, it seems London really isn’t so far away.

Lauren: Florence, Italy "The first thought that runs through my mind when I wake up is food. That or I need a coffee quickly before I lash out on anyone that gets to use the shower before me. I reach for the instant caffé and boil hot water in a kettle. Still groggy from a rough night of sleep with a hard mattress, I look forward to the fumes arising before me. I'm preparing to walk 30 minutes to get to my Italian

class, a thought that would have seemed absurd a month ago but has now become my routine. But here in Italy I need my fuel, for my legs will walk the average of nine miles today."

Emilee: London, UK “Right when my eyes open I begin to silently encourage myself to get the heck out of bed- so much to do, so little time. In a city like London, lazy days are unforgivable, and I secretly spite my roommates who spend their days fiddling on their computers in dimly lit rooms. But thanks to plenty of school work and an endless list of creative pursuits, I don’t have time to waste sleeping in. So I get out of bed, walk the 3 steps it takes to get to the bathroom, shower, and begin my day. Before leaving the flat, I have already had 3 cups of tea… London is rubbing off on me.”

Lauren: Florence, Italy "I cross the street and dodge a Vespa. I walk past another alley and avoid looking down it, praying that a car doesn’t hit me. "And you want to live in New York City I thought?" How was I going to handle the tourists and the taxis? There was enough here that at times that there seems to be no breathing room. Am I being too judgmental? I'm a tourist myself.”

Emilee: London, UK “Okay, I’ll admit it. I’ve nearly been here for two months, and sometimes I still look the wrong way before crossing the street.

Sometimes that means I don’t see the oncoming mini-cab and it’s relentless driver. Sometimes that means they have to bring traffic to a screeching stop, as to not hit the tourist/not really a tourist/might as well still be a tourist. Sometimes, I see them coming and run anyways. Maybe this is when I might as well have a sign around my neck saying “Hi I’m a foreigner”. But, then again, the best way to seem like a Londoner is to pretend that you’re bigger than traffic; either you innocently didn’t 9

notice it, or you just frankly don’t care that it’s there- they’ll stop for you, don’t worry.”

Lauren: Florence, Italy "The bridges, the lights, the way the city makes me feel at night; I've never been so inspired. I carry my journal around with me everywhere, jumping at my thoughts as they come and go, preparing to look back on these notes 50 years from now, thankful that I wrote them. Florence is an artist’s dream. I linger over the bridge near my apartment, stopping to take it all in, wishing my life to consist of moments like this."

Emilee: London, UK "Traveling alone" could easily be reworded to “meeting yourself for the first time”. You think you’ve got yourself all figured out, you know yourself inside out, how could you not, you are you, right? Things that you’ve always loved about yourself seem unfamiliar, and qualities that you’ve never seen in yourself appear in the way you interact with others. You never know if you really are who you say you are until you have the chance to be someone else. Throw yourself into the unknown and you will be forced to figure out who you really are, who you’ve secretly always been.”

JUST AS YOUNG I watched a little girl with brown braids walk down the stone street, holding her father’s large finger in her tiny fist. She wore a small, pink backpack and did this adorable half-skip when she walked, never letting go of the finger of the man wearing blue jeans, carrying groceries. She was counting; I assumed she was practicing her numbers. “Diciotto, diciannove, venti,” the numbers faded down the street as the two moved on.

In the moment, I was struck with the

by Katherine Bailey epiphany that I was exactly like that young girl. I was just as young and new to this culture, language, and city as she was.

I came to Florence as a 20-year-old college student with the hope to discover and learn about myself, but really, I am a 5-year-old girl who knows nothing about the world around her and is hungry to skip down the street and explore.

The beauty my eyes take in overwhelms my mind. Like the girl, I am learning.

I soak up the energy of the city that surrounds and envelops me as I push myself through the crowds of tourists found in every piazza. For the next two months, Florence is my home, as it is for the child. The constraints of my past, of my life at home, are gone. Like her, my imagination is free to wander down the streets, at a half-skip and get lost in the moments. All of us have a 5 year-old inside; it just takes 4,000 miles for some of us to rediscover her.

HIDE: THE STORY OF A RUNAWAY “Sofia” sounded like a good name to take on when this all started.

Erasing a previous life was just as difficult as it sounds. Anna Noel Marsh was now, not only a memory of her former self, but a fictional character – a character she wished had actually existed. Sofia Massa appeared in Florence, Italy, from another dimension, or so it seemed – silently, in the dark, and without company. Like each morning for the past three months, she squeezed through the tunnel-tight halls of her one bedroom apartment and secured the strip of small and large, knobby locks that run down the side of her door. Sofia twisted the middle of her fiery auburn hair until it had curled into a neat knot. She propped the hood of her sweater over her head and heard the audio of a faint memory (your hair will be your give-away) echo in the hollows of her ears. Florence was not hard to navigate, but Via delle Brache was discrete enough to make the brows of even some of the savviest locals draw together in confusion.

The road was skinny, just wide enough for a small fiat to stroll through. (Find a small stretch of land and never leave it,) some unfamiliar voice rang in the back of her mind. She shook the thought away and looked up to the cloudy November sky. The sun was rising, and through the gaps of the small yellow and brown buildings, she could see the night fall behind her in the western sky and the day begin to glow, lighting the laces of her 10

by Cailin Boegel

white sneakers in the east. Sofia preferred leaving just before the sunrise. She could move unseen and had the freedom to appreciate the art in Piazza della Signoria. Sofia stopped in front of the mock-David and nodded to him. He stood there, naked, so stoically. He was proud, and why shouldn’t he be?

He had no reason to hide. Sofia would never know this to be the reason why, but she found herself somehow jealous of him every morning as she passed.

She fumbles through a set of keys and finally grasps a skeletal rusted gray one, thrusting and wiggling it into its lock and yanking the rickety metal, garage-like door up and into its cove. The sticky-thick smell of melted butter and vanilla extract splashed against her face like a glass of cold water. She was awake now.

Working in the bakery, not even one mile from her apartment, made her disappearing act seem almost easy. (Are you familiar with any languages,) a thought crossed her mind: the tired face of her college Italian professor – only what was her name? “… Sofia,” she heard, but in comparison to the whispered thoughts in her head, this was loud. It jumped in her skull and caused her to shutter, dropping the bag of flour she had absentmindedly lifted and began to move. Chiara’s thick wispy brows furrowed, and her lips made a hard line, “Stai bene?” Sofia’s shoulders dropped, and she threw her head back to let out a

NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 2015

quick breath, “Sì, scusa, sono esausta, ciao,” she laughed. Chiara’s face softened now and brightened into a smile. (To be forgotten, you must forget yourself.) Chiara shifted her tiny body into the crevice between the stove-oven and the counter next to Sofia and began kneading dough from the ceiling-tall steel refrigerator.

There was one last haunting exchange of words she kept with her from her previous life, but in moving time, she could never hear it or remember it. Yet something about the thinning density of the air this morning was begging her to look back and recall.

Something was begging Anna to remind her.

The flexing pound of a fist against a glass window shook both Sofia and Chiara from their trances. Standing behind the glass door of the bakery were three Italian generals, one dressed

differently in a full trench coat. American, she thought in an absent voice. He locked eyes with her, and the entirety of her blood drained to her feet – the dull beating rhythm of her heart thudding like the tempo of a drum in her ears. Like lightening had electrocuted her, she moved in one swift motion, snagging her backpack off the wobbly stool and slamming through the screen back door of the bakery. As she sprinted over the gray cobblestones, she looked over her shoulder at David one last time, the sun casting a shadow of her second self across the road- and that missing whispered memory she had kept in the depth of her mind rose into her ears. She could hear it clearer than any of the others, (Anna, it won’t be three months until you’ll have to move again.)

FACULTY VOICE

INTERVIEW WITH NICOLETTA SALOMON

by Tara Phillips Photos courtesy of Nicoletta Salomon

Nicoletta Salomon is an artist and philosopher. She led research in Europe and the United States and currently teaches fine arts and art therapy courses at FUA. Curious about her personal background and thoughts on art, I sat down with her for an interview.

Tell us a brief history of your education/works.

For my education, I went to the best university in Italy, the Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa. While there, I graduated, received my PhD and post-PhD in classics. Now, I am a classicist and philosopher in education. I also write and paint, and I merge this with my classical background.

My major field of research is where the philosophical and artistic cross. So I do art, and I think about art.

As for my works, I started as a figurative painter. My main source of inspiration was the sacred, and my first exhibition was based on the crucifixion and motherhood. Next, I developed my abstract style. I used inspiration from the crucifixion to inspire elements in my abstract works.

I am currently doing work that investigates the sacred from the blue perspective: from deep meditation to transcendence through the power of blue.

N. Salomon, Untitled, 80x120 cm (2012)

When did you realize that an artistic lifestyle was for you? When did you realize abstract art was your calling?

I realized as a child, definitely. I would not say that abstract art is my calling, but instead it is a phase. I don't put any difference in value between abstract and figurative art.

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What is your opinion on majoring in the arts/ teaching self-expression in a structured way?

Learning techniques is both fun and fundamental. It is important to learn about and deepen your knowledge of artistic techniques. However art is not just about techniques, but also about personal poetics – a style, a way of seeing the world.

Research should be carried in both fields.

Students should be advised and helped in doing research in personal style. Each artist also needs to do this alone. But the student should be advised when he or she wants it.

N. Salomon, Untitled, 50x70cm (2011)

Any final thoughts/comments regarding your artistic theory?

I feel alone as an artist. For a long time, I thought this should be changed. For instance, by getting in touch with other artists through exhibitions and groups. Then I realized that mine is a feeling and not a situation: I feel alone among others. And I am not alone, actually. I am in contact with all of the artists from art history. Through their works, I am able to communicate with them. My personal guide painters would include Michelangelo, Pontormo, Mark Rothko, and Nicolas de Staël. Eugenio Montale stated that the artist is able to attain communication just through isolation. I believe that isolation is where and how an artist’s poetry comes to life. I am currently expressing that thought in my next exhibition: Abyss Blue, which will take place next Spring in Florence, at the Immaginaria Arti Visive Gallery.

FACES & PLACES

THE GRAFFITI OF LOVE “Love,” a word that surely has no definite definition, but argued as something all living things need.

But ultimately, what is love?

Is it waking up every morning to feed the dog? Or is it hugging a friend goodbye at the end of the night?

For some of us, love makes us feel cherished and cared for. For others, it makes us feel smothered, as if we are under surveillance.

This Florence street artist interprets “love” as a number of things. Love is the people who surround you for your money.

Love is the everlasting relationships we have with our laptops or cellphones.

Love is the relationship we have with substance abuse.

Love is time, and time is the only escape we have in a world ruled by materialistic things.

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by Taylor Means Photo by the author

NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 2015

BEAUTY AT EVERY AGE

by Rebecca Menezes

Photo by the author

COUPLE - I do not know their names; I did not need to know it. All I needed to know was their love, which, believe me, is very much alive – even after being married for 60 years. I talked to them for a bit and asked if they would mind having their picture taken. The lady then said to me “But why do you want our picture? We are old and ugly! You should be taken pictures of beautiful young people.” I automatically replied, “You are not ugly at all, your love makes you so beautiful!” She blushed a bit and, after her husband adorably persuaded her, agreed to pose for the picture. She reached for something inside her pursed: a scarf. “I want to look pretty at least,” she explained. When she asked her husband how she looked he said, with sparkling eyes, “As beautiful as always, my love”.

ANTOANETA - This is Antoaneta Dzoni. I was walking down the street when she caught my attention – you can guess why.

A sweet, old lady dressed in a beige shirt with a long brown skirt protecting herself from the sun with an umbrella and…

Smoking a pipe?! Oh yes, this is no ordinary lady. With 70 “amazing years” as she defines them, Antonietta still lives like a 25-year-old: full of life, curiosity, will, and joy. She writes poetry, paints, does belly dance lessons, has modeled, and creates crystal work. This “citizen of the world,” as she calls herself, can hold in a conversation for hours and doesn’t even blink. The more she told me, the more my heart filled with joy, and I hope to have half of her incredible spirit when I reach her age.

A PLACE WITHOUT BARRIERS Around me people shook one another’s hands, hugged and reacquainted themselves as they awaited the start of the ceremony. Family, friends and the beauty of love surrounded me. I was honored to be a guest at an Italian/Eritrean wedding. Alone, I watched them, lost without speaking the language, and in awe at how well I was able to follow what was going on around me. They were all so warm towards each other.

Quickly I found a seat, next to an older couple, smiled and waited with the rest to see the bride.

As I shifted in my seat, I accidentally bumped into the woman next to me.

Her smile lifted the wrinkles beneath her eyes and her words were foreign yet I was able to understand her. Without a word, I kept it hidden that I didn’t understand the language. The smile

jumped from her face to mine, and I turned to the front. During mass I took the hands of the strangers around me and prayed. We went through the all the same motions of mass I had as a child. Together we raised our hands and blessed the couple. I followed all the cues of those around me and made it through the ceremony without any verbal exchanges.

I only recognized three people at the wedding, the groom, his brother, and a close friend of the two. I interviewed them a few days before for an intercultural communications project called A Multiethnic Mosaic. I spoke with the groom that day only through broken French and our translator. His eagerness to include me combined with the energy around the room was indescribable.

Upon leaving the church, everyone

by Chelsea Robinson stood waiting for the newly weds to join us. Next to me stood a woman, with a smoke, leaning against the building. I nodded my head and smiled. She then proceeded to speak to me in Italian ,and I felt my face burn up. I tried to explain that I could not understand nor speak Italian, and she kindly nodded, and our eye contact unlocked. Embarrassed I picked up my phone and began to scroll through the pictures I had taken of the beautiful ceremony. Standing alone, I felt more alienated than I had all afternoon. Moments later the same woman approached me with her hand outstretched.

“Rice.”

She smiled and gestured for me to put my hands out. Half of her rice spilled into my hand, and she raised her hand to the sky.

13

THE DUOMO

by Patricia Hoban Photo by Josh Berendes

The Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore thrusts its beauty on all passerby. From morning sun to evening moon, the Duomo stands prominent and domineering. Its elaborate decorations, and its superior personality cast shadows of mystery. Its doors, swung open, are invitations to an exclusive party.

The jaded local dare not enter for he knows the trap, but to the novice traveler the secrecy is thrilling. He wants to be a part of it. The traveler purchases a 7-euro ticket and waits patiently to begin his ascent to the top of the Duomo.

There is no effort to cover the building’s core components. While one climbs the winding, interior staircase leading to the Dome, he steps on slabs of rock, weathered by the footfalls of the naïve. The walls too are made of the stone, and no 14

effort has been made to disguise their brutal appearance. It is dark. The climb is steep. The air is stuffy. The walkway is narrow.

It does not matter that the traveler speaks little Italian—while climbing the interior of the famous Italian monument, not once does the traveler meet a guide, director, or employee hired to lead. In the world renowned Cathedral, only the footfalls of the tourist before him lead the way.

The first landing—all are certain the end is near. A small window welcomes sunlight, but the traveler is ushered to continue climbing and has no opportunity to enjoy it. The path becomes longer; the width shrinks. There is no talking amongst travelers save the occasional whispers of encouragement, lies that the end is near.

Heat turns to sweat turns to claustrophobia. The next landing temps the traveler to stop, take a break and relax: but it is

NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 2015

a trap. Halfway between the grass and the clouds, and wedged in a tight tunnel of rock, there is no relaxing. The traveler continues his ascent.

His vision compromised by the darkness, the traveler slows his pace so as not to fall. Injury or sudden illness will escalate in a place like the Duomo staircase.

Crowds and inexistent emergency exists prevent aid from reaching a victim. Why is the traveler not forewarned?

The Duomo attacks from within. While the façade shines brightly, illuminating the Piazza and dazzling all who encounter its eminence, the interior is a maze with a single path, created for entrapment. The traveler continues his ascent.

The path becomes even narrower, as the single lane divides to permit two-way traffic. Insufficient handrails, absence of authority, and frightened tourists—the reality sets in. The traveler reaches his

peak, but not that of the Duomo. He surrenders to the Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore and begins his descent. Red face, wet palms, clouded mind: the traveler quits his journey.

He exits through the Cathedral doors, swung open, and looks at the Duomo.

The traveler sees through the intricate detailing that covers the gigantic box of a building. The Cathedral has a secret agenda. It is breathtaking. It is blinding.

EVENTS

The upcoming events of the city are recommended by PR Strategies course students, led by Isabella Martini

POPE FRANCIS IN FIRENZE: PAPAL VISIT UPDATE This month marks a historic occurrence in Florence as his holiness Pope Francis plans to visit the city in conjunction with the Fifth National Ecclesial Convention of the Italian Church. Pope Francis’ scheduled visit will be on November 10 with a day packed full of Mass and visits with the sick and poor. Francis’ presence will be the first papal visit to the Tuscan capital in 29 years. The city last saw his holiness when John Paul II came in 1986. In honor of Pope Francis’ visit, the city is opening the new Museum dell’Opera of the Duomo, located in the center of Florence. Leaders of the museum project are hoping the Pope will inaugurate it.

Pope Francis is set to arrive in Florence by helicopter at 9:15 a.m. There is a scheduled conference for the His Holiness at the Florentine Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore followed

OLIVE OIL FESTIVAL

by Elizabeth Magill, Danielle Saitta, Ayumi Ranucci, Bianca D’Ambrosia

by meetings with the sick and a luncheon with the poor at a soup kitchen. The pope will end his visit with a Holy Mass at the Artemio Franchi Municipal Stadium at 3:30 p.m. before returning to the Vatican later in the evening. The stadium can accommodate nearly 50,000 spectators and entry will be by free ticket only. It will however, be possible to view the Mass from large screens set up by Ridolfi stadium and in the city center.

Since taking the position as Pope in March of 2013, Francis has become quite the world traveler. He recently returned from his tour of North America in September. Pope Francis well knowingly strays from his planned activities in order to see as many people as possible. Make sure you’re in Florence on November 10th to be a part of Florentine and Church history.

by Juliana Fava, Taylor Hardwick, Courtney Lester Photo by Federico Cagnucci

Want to attend one of the top events this month devoted to one of Italy’s best products? Then from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday November 15th, go check out Florence’s Olive Oil Festival! This openair event is located in the Piazza Santo Spirito and is free of charge! Being in Tuscany, a region famous for its olive oil, this is an event you don’t want to miss while you are in Florence. Olive oil is a product used to cook many dishes and is used for many beauty and soap products too. Head there to try out and take home some of the many olive oil products you’ll encounter.

15

BLENDING NEWSLETTER

Coordinamento Editoriale /

Supplemento di /

Managing Editor

Supplement to Blending Magazine

Federico Cagnucci

Reg. Trib. di Firenze n째 5844 del 29 luglio 2011 Anno 5 - Numero 7 - Novembre 2015

Redazione testi / Copy Editor

Year 5 - Issue 7 - November 2015

Taylor Means, Jessica Mitchell, Sarah Waller, Erica Kavanagh

Editore / Publisher Florence Campus per INGORDA Editore

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Via Alfonso Lamarmora, 39

Faculty Advisor

50121 Firenze

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with and for students of Florence

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member of Palazzi FAIE.

Tel. 055-0332745

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Development Office.

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The newsletter collaborates with

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For information contact: blending@palazziflorence.com

REDAZIONE / MASTHEAD

Alberto Simoncioni

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Con la partecipazione degli studenti

Editor in chief

del corso / Participating students from

Matteo Brogi

Writing for Digital Media: Sara Allison, Lauren Berry,

www.palazziflorence.com www.fua.it

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Cailin Boegel, Cheree Fraser,

Editorial Director

Neeka Matthews, Taylor Means,

Grace Joh

Katherine Meis, Rebecca Menezes