NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013
NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 5 - YEAR 8 | FUA/PALAZZI | AUGUST 2018
BREAKING NEWS
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FUA HOSTS SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITIONS FUA hosted a number of art exhibitions during the summer months, celebrating the work of FUA students and alumni alike. One exhibition in particular, of photojournalism student Natalie Burch, took place in Corridoio Fiorentino on Thursday July 12 2018. Entitled “Handmade”, Burch’s exhibit featured male artisans of Florence, including portraits of the subjects as well as photos of them at work. A unique aspect of the collection was the photographs of each man’s hands. “They say eyes are the window to the soul, but hands are also important,” Burch said. With the rich artisan culture that the city has to offer, Florence is a diverse and thriving place where its artisans are still as active and as proud of their work as ever before. There were four artisans featured in Burch’s exhibition, and several photos
by Guneet Singh Photo by Hana Smith
per subject. To make sure she got the right shots, Burch took about 300 photos total. One challenge Burch faced whilst undertaking her project was a difficulty communicating with her subjects. One of the locals she photographed did not know any English at all, and so she had to figure out how to communicate in Italian. Burch visited each subject multiple times and even found herself taking pictures in a meat locker. “As a photojournalist, you try to get beyond the language,” Burch said. Natalie Burch is a Journalism major at Baylor University in Texas and started photography in high school. She took a photojournalism class at Baylor but feels the class here is more challenging and gives students more freedom. She hopes to eventually work as a photojournalist.
On July 11, Florence University of the Arts also hosted the opening of “Hidden Figures”, an exhibition of the work of artist and FUA alum, Donald Blair. The event was held at Ganzo, FUA’s fully-functioning restaurant, and will remain in the space until September 18th. Blair utilizes sensory perceptions to explore textures of the world through the technique of macrophotography, leaving a new perspective in the viewer’s mind. As a result, the artist took numerous photos to capture the journey of cosmic travel between existing realities and employs a sense of playfulness and adventure in his art. Donald Blair is an artist, more
specifically a “Digital Nomad and Solo Traveler” who uses his experiences as a means of inspiration and motivation. Blair uses his art to bring to light images that are unseen by most and thinks that the ordinary is weird. The exhibition was produced by Florence University of the Arts Gallery and Exhibition Curating Experiential Learning class. The AperiArt event also included an aperitivo prepared by the Food, Culture and Community students of Apicius, Florence University of the Arts’ International School of Hospitality. The exhibition and aperitivo were a great success, and were enjoyed by both the FUA community and the general public.
ART
STEVE MCCURRY EXHIBITION REVIEW by Guneet Singh Photo by Marlo Miller
“How does he get this shot? How is it possible?” the girl said. Her eyes were glancing over a dozen photographs in the room, each more captivating than the last. She was at the exhibition of photographer Steve McCurry’s work, right here in Florence at the Villa Bardini. The exhibit is entitled “Icons” and highlights 100 of McCurry’s photos taken over a period of 40 years. McCurry is well-known for his photo “The Afghan Girl” which appeared on the cover of The National Geographic in 1985. For over 30 years, the world has been moved by this photo. The girl on the cover with sea-green eyes has seen so much pain and was forced to grow up in an area at the peak of war. Her photo evokes an emotional response from the public. Another enthralling photo was taken of one of the Twin Towers falling on 9/11. “Was he actually there?” is the question that comes to mind when people see this photograph. As it turns out, he was.
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McCurry had just flown back from Tibet on September 10 and had only been back in New York for around 12 hours. His building had a view of Lower Manhattan. He received a phone call saying The World Trade Center was on fire, hopped onto the roof of his building and photographed the towers. While he was up there, he saw the towers fall and couldn’t believe it. Many of the photos feature subjects with strong and entrancing eyes. The eyes become the main focus of the photograph. One photo features a small boy in Peru holding a toy gun to his head. There are tears in his eyes and those tears are just as compelling as the gun. It is clear from McCurry’s photos that he will do whatever it takes to get a great shot. His commitment to this craft is inspirational. The exhibit will be open until September 16 2018. Students can use their FUA ID for entry to the exhibition at the reduced price of 5 euros.
NEWSLETTER JULY 2018
FOOD & WINE
MORNING AT THE MARKET by Danielle Mayo Photos by author
It is only while wandering the bustling Florentine streets, turning left where the tourists turn right, that you will find the true culinary gems that the city has to offer. Florence, a gastronome’s dream city come to life, is home to more fine-dining restaurants than one could ask for. Grocery stores on every corner also offer all the classic Italian cooking ingredients that you could possibly need, allowing for convenience and comfort as you explore the aisles of incredible food. It is, however, the less accessible and rarely reviewed fresh markets found throughout the city that deserve the attention of the world’s food lovers. It is here, in these quaint yet lively markets, that Florentines gather to find the freshest and cheapest ingredients for all of their culinary needs. There is one market in particular which embodies the true spirit of the local Florentine food shopping experience. The Sant’Ambrogio Market offers a shopping experience to engage all your senses in a way that no trip to the grocery store ever could.
At first sight, your eyes attempt to process the melting pot of colors displayed before you. Tomatoes a brighter shade of red than you’ve ever seen before. Oranges that mimic the sun. Pesto in the most inviting shade of green. Then, abruptly pulling you back to the present, the man behind the mountain of neatly stacked produce passes you a brown paper bag, saying “How many would you like?” Next comes the smell. Maybe some will argue this order in reverse, as it is quite likely that you will smell the aromas that have escaped the market walls before you have even rounded the corner. The scent of a fresh batch of bread is so inviting that it seems to pull you in from every direction. Then quickly, it is replaced by the inescapable scent of the sea, as you turn the corner and lay eyes on the endless aisle of freshly caught seafood. As you continue past the seafood you are greeted by Umberto, a man with a full head of graying hair and a kind smile on his face saying, “You like cheese?” Before you can say no, he slices a small piece from an enormous slab of pecorino
toscano for you to try. You accept his offer, of course, and enjoy the sweet, mouthwatering taste of the fresh Tuscan cheese that almost begs to be elegantly paired with a sangiovese chianti. As you walk past the bags of packaged pasta, you run your hands over the hundreds of different types laying in baskets before you. Penne, spaghetti, tagliatelle, linguine in every shape, size, and color you can imagine. After choosing your pasta, you pass the vendor a few euros and continue towards the center of the market, where the sound of Italian chatter draws you towards the tables that mimic a large dining room. Groups of local Florentines gather to share a meal together in between their shopping. Like a true Florentine, you join them, sitting down at one of the tables in the very heart of Florence’s Sant’Ambrogio Market.
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Wine is an important component to any Italian meal, and it plays an essential role in Tuscany’s renowned food culture. Students from the Exploration of Wine Culture class explore Tuscany, its wines and the different ways in which wine can be enjoyed when paired with food.
SUPER TUSCAN WINES: THE INNOVATION OF TUSCAN VITICULTURE
by Taylor Kern, Samantha Saunders, and Alina Smith
Metropolis has Superman, Gotham has Batman, and Italy has... the Super Tuscan? These outlaws in wine culture, born in the 1970s, were meant to “save” failing Chianti wine sales. Once the Chianti wine was revived in later years, these wines Super Tuscan wines were the product of changes in wine making laws of Italy in the 1970s. Many winemakers of Italy would mix ‘unsanctioned’ vines in order to make a wine of higher quality. Super Tuscan wines went against the tradition of keeping different type of grapes separate. Marchesi Incisa della Rocchetta, who created the wine Sassicaia, was considered one of the first winemakers to make a Super Tuscan. Traditional Tuscan wines are a blend of Sangiovese and other varieties of grapes which meet certain composition requirements in order to attain higher classifications. The term “Super Tuscan” originated in the early 1980s to describe the blending of multiple red grapes for one Tuscan wine which do
not meet those stringent requirements. Super Tuscan wines may consist of non-indigenous grapes from wines such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah; some producers only use native Tuscan grapes, while others will use international varieties, and some use a blend of the two. These wines have a large range in taste according to their specific place of origin. Due to this blending, the wines were unable to achieve the Chianti label, and were labeled by Italy as the lowest quality classification: IGT. Super Tuscan wines have not been as popular since Chianti wines established themselves in international viticulture, but they are still made by most major Chianti producers.
GANZO: FUA’S SCHOOL RESTAURANT
by Bianca Larsh, Lauren Ybarra, and Alexandra Carroll Ganzo is located on Via dei Macci and showcases what a local aperitivo restaurant would actually look and feel like. Aperitivo makes it possible to socialize with friends and family whilst enjoying food, drinks, and blending multiple cultures together. One similarity of Ganzo with other Italian restaurants is its appearance. The outside of Ganzo may look quite small, but in reality it is very spacious on the inside. The mission of “Aperiganzo” is to blend international flavors, which in turn blends international cultures together, and provides guests with a broader perspective of food and culture.
The Art of the Aperitivo Ganzo’s serving style allows guests to freely pick and choose multiple small portions of different meats, cheese, salads and 4
other wonderfully prepared bites. The makes it possible to embody the Mediterranean way of eating while ensuring that one is enjoying the cultural meals in moderation. Aperiganzo evenings during the summer months are particularly special, as all the food is prepared by students from the Food, Culture and the Community course, where food is studied in relation to its important role within the local community.
Ganzo’s Wine Corner The restaurant’s Wine Corner is located on the top floor of the restaurant. Here, FUA’s Wine Studies students share their knowledge with you, suggesting specific wines to you based on your taste preferences.
NEWSLETTER JULY 2018
TRAVEL
INTERVIEW WITH SEBASTIAN RODWELL FROM I MEDICEI RUGBY CLUB
by Carlotta Dooley Photo by author
As the opportunity arose, I was able to experience a memorable tour of the Ruffino Rugby Stadium led by Sebastian Rodwell, a successful marketing manager and rugby player for I Medicei Rugby Club. Both the tour and our interview projected just how promising their mission is to bring the Tuscan rugby movement to the highest level. Q: How did you get to where you are today, in your position as both a marketing manager and professional rugby player? A: I started playing rugby here when I was 17, just as a hobby. I would travel to Florence twice a week by train because I wasn’t living there at the time. Coming here twice a week, it took me 1 hour to get here and 2 hours to get back by train. Later on, I was picked up by the national league team and I played rugby professionally. When I was 21, I was offered a scholarship in England, so I moved there and got my degrees in Marketing and Sport Business Management. Then I moved to London and started doing the rugby marketing development for a local team. Eventually, I wanted to come back to Italy, the country where I grew up, and they offered me a position as both the marketing manager and also as a rugby player. They wanted me to come and play for the team. It was perfect because I studied Marketing but rugby is also a passion of mine, so I’m very lucky to be able to do both. Q: What would you say is your largest responsibility in your role as marketing manager? A: Keeping the sponsors happy. I would say that my main duties are to speak to the sponsors to create content to promote their products and their
businesses. I help them link the content to rugby, and together we come up with ideas to try and create something that will give them a little more visibility. Q: How do you reach out to people in the community? A: We try to bring new people into the organization by doing a lot of work within the community. More specifically, we are promoting our rugby games in Florence by giving out free tickets, we even had a promotion with Pizza Man, a pizza delivery company; with every pizza purchased you got a free ticket to the grounds. Right now we are working in schools and trying to connect with young people within the city of Florence. Since soccer is arguably the most popular sport here in Florence and because we are so close to Florence’s soccer team Florentina, it’s not so easy. But rugby is a different sport with different values, so we are trying to teach those values to the people that live in Florence, allowing them to experience something different.
influence others? A: When I speak to sponsors or other people about rugby, the universal thing that people love about the sport ultimately comes down to the experience. It’s what sets it apart from other sports. When you come to the stadium, you have kids sitting on the side of the pitch watching the game, there are parents having a beer while sitting in the stands; it’s a very safe and relaxed place. It’s all about the experience. Q: How has rugby influenced you? A: Rugby allowed me to grow and learn so many things. It has given me fantastic experiences and so many opportunities, so I will continue to practice rugby for this reason. I believe that the Medicei will continue to grow as a company and develop their brand throughout not only Tuscany but also the world. For more information on I Medicei Rugby Team, you can visit the following websites: https://www.imedicei.com/i-medicei/ https://www.facebook.com/IMedicei/
Q: What factors do you consider most important when you are trying to 5
"CIAO AMORE!"–UNA RIFLESSIONE SULLA GENEROSITÀ DELLE FAMIGLIE OSPITANTI by Antonella Nicholas Photos by author
Antonella Nicholas e Maria Pia Nanni di fronte ai piatti di spaghetti
Quando sono arrivata in Italia, le prime cose che ho notato sono stati i vezzeggiativi. Prima di cominciare gli studi a Firenze, sono stata a Roma per qualche giorno, e nei ristoranti, nei negozi, e nel centro, sentivo sempre “Ciao, bella” e “Grazie, amore.” Sono rimasta piacevolmente sorpresa. Era come se gli italiani mi stessero abbracciando, dicendo “Sei una parte della nostra grande famiglia.” Dunque a Firenze, quando sono entrata nelle case delle famiglie italiane che mi avrebbero ospitato, la frequenza e varietà dei vezzeggiativi mi hanno quasi sbalordito. Quando mi sveglio: “Buongiorno, amore!” Quando è l’ora di cena: “Pronta, bimba?” Quando ho una domanda: “dimmi, cara.” Quando è ora di dormire: “Buonanotte stellina!” Mi sembra che gli appellativi affettuosi riflettano la gentilezza e accoglienza delle famiglie italiane, in particolare delle famiglie ospitanti. Nel corso di dieci settimane sono rimasta con due famiglie, ciascuna delle quali mi ha accolto a braccia aperte. Lo ammetto, ci sono stati momenti in cui mi chiedevo se potessi passare così tanto tempo lontana dalla mia famiglia. Però la loro ospitalità ha dissipato i dubbi, e mi ha fatto sentire a casa anche se sono una straniera. Loro mi hanno aiutata ad orientarmi nella città, e mi hanno consigliato quali monumenti visitare. Grazie a loro, io conosco le migliori gelaterie e i ristoranti dove si trova una vera bistecca alla fiorentina. Ogni giorno a cena la mia gratitudine si moltiplicava–pasta, pizza, pesto, pollo, pomodoro, basilico, insalata, tiramisù, e il mio preferito, spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino. Il cibo fantastico è stato solo una frazione della mia esperienza con le famiglie. Io studio lingua italiana, quindi avevo la missione di migliorare le mie capacità comunicative. Parlare nell'ambiente informale delle case mi ha obbligato ad acquistare un nuovo vocabolario. Quando facevo errori 6
grammaticali, la mamma mi correggeva. In questa maniera, sono riuscita a comunicare con gli altri studenti della casa in modo più informale e ho avuto successo nel capire le conversazioni della famiglia. Però ho trovato che il modo migliore per imparare l’italiano sia guardando la TV. Quando ero con la prima famiglia, a volte la nipote di quattro anni veniva a visitarci, e abbiamo guardato i cartoni animati per i bambini. Nella casa della seconda famiglia, quasi tutti i giorni abbiamo guardato un gioco a premi in cui i concorrenti dovevano indovinare una parola solo sapendo la prima lettera e due altre parole che sono correlate. In seguito, mi sono familiarizzata con innumerevoli espressioni colloquiali. Quando sono arrivata in Italia, sono stata bombardata dai vezzeggiativi–adesso, non riesco a immaginare come sarebbe la mia vita senza sentire “ciao amore” cinque volte al giorno! A parte gli scherzi, il mio soggiorno in Italia con le famiglie è stato fondamentale per la mia comprensione della cultura e della lingua italiana. Di fatto, loro mi hanno motivata a ospitare studenti quando io stessa avrò una famiglia. La generosità che ho ricevuto dalle famiglie e dagli italiani in generale, riempirebbe il duomo di Firenze.
Antonella Nicholas e Cristiana Amendola
NEWSLETTER JULY 2018
HOME SWEET HOME
Comfort and familiarity in one’s home are often found in the small details of everyday life. Students from the Travel Photography class capture their “home away from home” in Florence and explore what makes a place home, even when it is far it is familiar.
Photos by Colleen Avery
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Photos by Sophie Bates
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NEWSLETTER JULY 2018
FASHION
FLY FASHION LOOK OF THE MONTH
Being able to wear an article of clothing in different ways is what personal style is all about. Making a new statement every time you wear a piece injects some fun into getting ready. For this summer season, FLY’s look of the month is all about versatility. We love the idea of achieving multiple moods with just a few pieces styled together in various ways. There is no other brand that embodies with this concept better than New Kid Footwear. This Australian-established brand has moved to Italy, collaborated with us at FLY, and has taken the freeform silhouette movement by storm. Settling in such a traditional city as Florence has given the designer Rachel Beagley - an edge. With her
Text by Serina Sabedra Hair and make up styling and photography by Serina Sabedra Set design and styling by Claire Olmstead, Miller Myers, and Daniela Jurado Modelling by Zlata Komisarchik
modern twist on effortless silhouettes and earthy colors that still make a statement, the garments are easy to piece together in order to achieve a multitude of looks. The products are hand-dyed and produced locally which allows for full creative control of Beagley ’s designs. Pictured here, we have pieces from the New Kid collection like the yellow rawsilk kimono, the red tie-dyed maxi dress, and the newly released leopard-print “flatforms”. These pieces are styled in various ways to show that the smallest changes can transform a look. In these shots, the silk kimono is draped in a way that gives the impression of an off-theshoulder blouse. The look is completed with a one of a kind belt made from former FLY student: Niko Tiezzi. This gives a feminine touch to the look by being able to define the waist with and let the rest of the garment naturally flow. A New Kid maxi dress is used as a skirt to add a more of a relaxed feel. To finish off the look we paired New Kid’s leopardprint flatforms, adding some flare. These contemporary pairings, along with varied textures and colors help elevate this ensemble whilst keeping it simple to achieve. In later shots, the styling
changes slightly to illustrate a different mood. The dress was worn as is with the belt to keep a silhouette, and the kimono was freely placed, draping along the arms for an added touch of texture. This gives the look a relaxed, everyday feel. We hope our look of the month has sparked some inspiration in our readers, encouraging them to try new styling techniques within their own wardrobes and let their individuality show! 9
WELLNESS IN THE CITY
Inspired by their evening walks around the different neighbourhoods of Florence, Nutrition students from University of Missouri share the hidden gems they discover each week as they explore Florence and the different communities that call it home.
PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO As we set out for our fourth city walk of the summer, the sun was just setting over the river, giving the city a golden glow. Across the way we could see the narrowest part of the river and just beyond it, the renowned goldsmiths of the Ponte Vecchio. While we paused and took a few moments to absorb the breathtaking scenery, I was able to reflect upon my journey thus far; my travels in Florence have been an experience of a lifetime that I will never forget. As we neared the bottom of the steps that lead to the Piazzale Michelangelo, I began to mentally prepare myself for the physically wearing hike to the top. Many different emotions rushed through me as we made our way up the steep hill. From the beginning, it was a more extensive workout than I thought, and it really tested me. I wanted to give up, but knew that once I made it would be rewarding. I reassured myself with the thought that if I was able to push myself in a different country encompassed by a completely different culture, I could do anything. Finally reaching the top and experiencing the view was surreal. The obstacles a person may
by Ellie Erickson
photo by author
encounter throughout their lifetime make the achievement of reaching one’s goals all the more satisfying. Particularly, as a student studying abroad in a different country, there were many obstacles that I encountered on a regular basis. Perhaps the most difficult was the language barrier, however reminding myself that many individuals studying in a foreign country experience the same difficulties put me at ease during my time abroad. Certainly, I am saddened about returning home but I am eager to bring back with me all the incredible things I have learned about myself as an individual. Prior to traveling abroad I was not aware of what to expect, although as this session is coming to a close I feel much more secure in myself. The many different people that I met throughout this experience has provided me with a tremendous amount of wisdom, knowledge and support, which I will forever be grateful for during my time here. Completing this session has given me a greater understanding of how important it is to find your place in this world, whether or not you find it difficult at first.
BEYOND THE ARNO Each day I find myself surrounded by multitudes of tourists. This, combined with experiencing the wonders and difficulties of a brand new culture, makes becoming homesick very easy. Temporarily living in a place flooded with so many people from different parts of the world can make home feel further away than it really is. This can take its toll on your mental wellbeing. To avoid being reminded how far away I am from home, I used to lock myself in my apartment so that I could Facetime my friends and family. However after wandering 10
across the Ponte Vecchio one night, everything around me began to slow down. Suddenly I wasn’t just hearing the noise of the city, but instead I could pick out laughter amongst the chaos and could see genuine joy on the faces around me. As I ventured deeper into the neighborhood, the atmosphere began to cure my feelings of longing for my hometown. Seeing groups of friends stroll through the streets dressed for aperitivo gave me blissful flashbacks of when I was with my friends. I was reassured by seeing, instead of large tour groups of people, I
NEWSLETTER JULY 2018
saw families and groups of friends ready to enjoy their evening. It made me realise that in reality, I was surrounded by new friends and instead of heading home, we strolled through the streets to become a part of the evening passeggiata. Although we could not understand the Italian we heard, we were able to
by Faith Stephan understand the laughter that filled the streets. In this exact time and place I realized that although words could not cure my homesickness, perhaps hearing genuine laughter from locals who love their city could.
SECRETS OF FLORENCE
Packing my bags to leave for Florence was an exciting but anxious time. I was unsure of what to expect. Sure, I had seen movies and pictures that gave me an idea of Italy but there was no way to truly know until I experienced it for myself. I was not prepared for the beautiful scenery, rich history or culture, and strong sense of pride. Every Florentine I spoke to had such pride for their city. I had never experienced anything like it. Florence was the birthplace of many different things including the Italian language, the Vespa, and the game of soccer. Florence is also the birthplace of something a little less glamorous- graffiti. According to legends, Michelangelo is thought to have performed the very first piece of illegal street art with a hammer and chisel in Piazza della Signoria. In the square, there was a man who owed money to many different people. He was put in a pillory in Piazza della Signoria for four days as punishment. He owed a great amount of money to Michelangelo, who did not think that four days was a long enough punishment to fit his crimes. Michelangelo decided to chisel the man’s face into the rock on the side of the Palazzo Vecchio, becoming the first work of illegal graffiti. After spending six weeks in Florence, I feel like I have grown accustomed to the way the city works and adapted to the changes I was not used to at first. Learning about the little secrets of
Florence was very interesting and showed me that I still have so much to learn about this wonderful city. It reminded me of the historical importance and culture of the city in which I wanted to immerse myself. The Duomo is an astonishingly beautiful building that represents the beauty of Florence and what it stands for. I could not believe that there was a scandalous story of a love affair behind a peculiar sculpture on the side of the building. Legend has it that while the Duomo was being built, a construction worker was having an affair with the wife of a grocery store owner in the square. The husband caught on to the affair and went to the government to get it outlawed. In order to remind the husband of the affair and seek revenge for making their relationship illegal, the worker sculpted the head of a bull into the Duomo, facing directly towards the shop owner’s grocery store. Doing the sign with the bull horns on your hand represents cheating in Florentine culture. There is no symmetrical bull or animal anywhere else on the Duomo, which is very out of character for the architecture for that time. Even with this peculiar bull on the side of the Duomo, nothing can change the fact that it is one of the most stunning architectural masterpieces in the world. With all of these exciting secrets of Florence, there are also “secrets” that are not as prominent in the Florentine
by Taylor Sweeney
culture. Coming to Florence I expected to walk some places, but there was no way I could prepare for how much walking I was going to do. Walking everywhere was very intimidating at first. A 20-minute walk to the central market seemed daunting and at first, I did struggle with keeping up with the fast pace. Walking for long periods of time got easier and easier as my experience abroad unfolded. I started to feel better and have more energy to do daily activities. Walking also created a sense of mindfulness where I could forget about all of the stresses I had and clear my head. It brought a sense of peace to my day and helped me keep a positive outlook. A person gains a sense of mindfulness by taking time to free their mind of negativity and enjoying the world around them while walking. Physical activity and walking is directly linked to improved mental health. I also expected to eat fresh food, but I did not fully grasp how that would make me feel until eating it for about a week. The portions were just perfect, I never felt like I had to overeat. The food was, in most cases, incredibly fresh and hardly made me feel bloated or sick. In Florence I was able to be productive, while not stressing about getting every single thing done in just one day. After spending a hard day at work, the Florentine people spend time together eating, relaxing and enjoying their beautiful city. 11
FACES AND PLACES
THE ELDERLY FACES OF FLORENCE Ever since I was a little girl, the stories I would enjoy listening to the most were those told by my grandparents; they have experienced so much in their lives and always had so much to share with me. Since I arrived in Florence, my camera has been drawn to capturing senior citizens; they are a great representation of an authentic Italy and their faces have such interesting stories to tell.
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by Marlo Miller
NEWSLETTER JULY 2018
SNAPSHOTS FROM THE FLORENTINE STREETS by Hana Smith
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ALUMNI PROFILE
INTERVIEW WITH MARTHA NOWAK ON HER KNITWEAR COLLABORATION It is always a joy to see our alumni continue to do great things after leaving FUA, especially when they come back to show us! Martha Nowak was a FUA student in the summer of 2015 and finds herself back in Florence to embark on an exciting new project with FUA instructor and fashion designer, Eva Di Franco. Martha caught up with us to update us on what’s next for her fashion career.
Welcome back to Florence! How was your experience here at
to the project, as I’ve ended up studying Textile Design, so I’ve been
FUA?
working a lot on knitting and weaving. Eva herself specialises in
It’s great to be back! I studied at FUA for 4 weeks during the summer
apparel and so she has taught me a lot with regards to patterning
of 2015, right after I graduated from high school and I was preparing
garments and the design process.
to start at the Rhode Island School of Design. I was already thinking about specialising in Textile Design in particular, and I took a Fashion
What has been the most exciting element of your collaboration
Design course with Eva Di Franco, who is both an instructor at
with Eva Di Franco?
FUA as well as an independent fashion designer. I learnt a lot about
I really love that although we specialise in two different kinds of
drawing models and figuring out proportions of the body, as well
fashion, our beliefs in dexterity, commitment and putting time
as gathering together ideas and inspiration for making apparel.
into something you make are very much the same. I have always
For me, that was a really important starting point for my studies.
believed in devoting time and effort into making something by
Now I’ve already completed 3 years at Rhode Island and I’m about
hand and making it well. Knitting itself is a very immersive process
to start my final year.
that’s mostly based on specific technique and mathematics. When everything comes out right it’s very satisfying. I really admire that
What brought you back to Florence this summer?
Eva takes time over her work and commits a lot of effort into sewing
Eva Di Franco and I had a really great relationship as student and
everything out herself before starting a project. It’s been an amazing
teacher from the very beginning. After I left FUA and started at
experience to see her studio and work alongside her. Eva from end
design school, I stayed in touch with Eva on Instagram and we kept
to end is immersed in the design and production processes, so that
track of each other’s work. I’m back here in Florence to work on a
she knows the garment inside-out by the time it’s finished.
collaborative project with Eva. We both bring our different talents 14
NEWSLETTER JULY 2018
What were you main inspirations for this project and the clothes you are creating together? When I contacted Eva about this project, I happened to have worked a lot with knitwear already, and so it’s a really beneficial collaboration for us both because we’re learning from each other. The clothes we are making are very textural, three-dimensional and all our pieces are inspired by marine life. We have been drawing from the water, corals and anemones as inspiration. Eva in particular is drawn to the plethora of colors found in the ocean. Her knowledge regarding apparel is incredible so I’m learning a lot. The clothes we make can’t be industrially produced because they need to be knitted out using machines by hand, that’s why it’s such a time-consuming project, but also why it’s so much fun. Because the clothes can’t be industrially produced, they can’t commercially sold. And so for this reason it is a real piece of creative expression and a fine arts project in itself. And how does it feel to be back in Florence? I forgot how beautiful FUA is! It’s been so exciting coming back and revisiting all the places I used to go when I was studying here, mostly food-related! It’s really amazing to see that some things haven’t changed at all, for example even the graffiti is the same. In some ways it feels as if I’ve never left. The FUA community has been really good to me and I feel really welcomed back by everyone, especially by Eva, Gaia Poli and the FUA Fashion Department.
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BLENDING NEWSLETTER
REDAZIONE / MASTHEAD
Supplemento di /
Direttore Responsabile / Editor in chief
Supplement to Blending Magazine
Matteo Brogi
Reg. Trib. di Firenze n° 5844 del 29 luglio 2011 Anno 8 - Numero 5 - Agosto 2018
Caporedattore / Editorial Director
Year 8 - Issue 5 - August 2018
Grace Joh
Editore / Publisher
Coordinamento Editoriale /
Florence Campus per INGORDA Editore
Managing Editor
Via Alfonso Lamarmora, 39
Shauna K avanagh
50121 Firenze Redazione testi / Copy Editors Sede editoriale /
Jack Dolan
Blending is a newsletter created
Editorial Headquarters
Guneet Singh
with and for students of Florence
via dell'Oriuolo, 43
University of the Arts, the academic
50122 Firenze
Consulenti Accademici /
member of Palazzi FAIE.
Tel. 055 2633 182/183
Faculty Advisors
The newsletter collaborates with
Simone Ballerini
the Student Life Department and
Stampato in proprio /
Lapo Bartalesi
Development Office.
Printed in house
Marco Gualtieri
For information contact:
Rebecca Moore
blending@fua.it Impaginazione / Page Layout Madison Griffin
palazziflorence.com fua.it
p e r Fl o r e n c e C a m p u s E d i t o r e