Author: dannyfob

A Wolverine Abroad: On Becoming Street Art

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Step one: put out boxes full of pastel paint for people to step in. Step two: Lie down. Step three: allow them to walk all over you. Or something along those lines. This is the process of an artist currently being shown at a gallery here in Bologna. The Blu Gallery, a gallery sponsored by the modern art museum in Bologna, called MAMBO, is hosting Tatsunori Kano, a conceptual and experimental artist. The goal of this gallery is to be open to passerby and allow them to few the process of the artists. In this spirit, Kano’s current work is pulled out onto the street once every week and pedestrians are offered the chance to dip their shoes in colored pastel powders (a different color each week) and to walk across the painting, leaving whatever kind of tracks that they want. When the Tatsunori thinks it is ready he pulls it back into the gallery and sets to work on it himself. He uses different techniques to adjust the painting to his liking, including sprays, dusts, acrylics, and a whole array of strange brushes, not to mention shoes. It’s a really cool experience to watch him go to work on the piece. He moves so fast dipping brushes into jars and tapping powder onto the work as if he were planting grass seeds on a lawn. He picks up a giant straw and blows away the excess dust, clearing his workspace to know what he has. Kano climbs up a ladder to get a better view of the piece. It’s really quite exciting.

You may be wondering why I ended up in some gallery on the streets of Bologna. Or you may just as easily not be wondering and I just needed some way of transitioning into it. Either way, it’s a neat story, so I’m going to tell it (and yes, I did just say neat). I was walking down one of the streets this past Friday because I had to go to a bank that ate my ATM card the night before. They ended up not having it, so I’m a little screwed, but whatever… right? Anyway, I passed this gallery on the way there and liked the looks of some of the works on the wall. On my way back I stopped in and started looking around. The gallery manager started talking to me (in Italian, I felt so cool!) and we talked about the artist and about arts, inc. at UofM. And Tatsunori Kano himself showed up and started talking to me. They told me about the process and the pedestrian aspect of the work. And then, to my surprise and excitement, he opened up a shoebox of blue dust and gave me a private go at the piece! So I started walking around on it with one of my blue shoes, and I was the only blue on it. Then he joined me and we just walked and jumped around on it. They told me to come back, so this weekend when the gallery was opened up and he was working on it I visited again. It was such a great experience, both for my Italian development and to see Kano’s process. Never turn down such an opportunity! That is what I learned from this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brG4yXeZeq0

I also found this video of him working on this piece; it’s kind of strange and long, but you can check it out and skim. There is this funny part in the middle where this guy in the background is eating something and awkwardly trying to move behind Kano. Worth a laugh, or at least a giggle…heehee. The same day that this happened I found a great bakery that has whole grain breadstuffs and a huge variety of yumminess, all biologically grown. All in all, a really great day!!!!

Happy spring everyone! I hope the weather doesn’t stay so crazy back there in Michigan J It’s really funny here though. They had a huge amount of snow for two weeks this year. They hadn’t seen snow stick to the ground in 60 years, and this year there were at least 2 feet! And because of this freak weather and the hilarious chaos that ensued (no lie, supermarkets were emptied out like in a zombie apocalypse) a picture book of the snow is being published and released tomorrow! A picture book! A book is being published about the snow in Bologna! Now we know why Italy is not the world leader in anything.

Ciao ciao!
Danny Fob
Your Wolverine Abroad Blogge
Ciao ciao!
Danny Fob
Your Wolverine Abroad Blogger

A Wolverine Abroad: Churches Churches Everywhere…

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Mantova (Mantua)
Mantova (Mantua)

Yesterday I visited the town of Mantova and learned exactly how it felt to be really hungry in one of the yummiest countries in the world, and trapped inside churches and museums most of the day. It does not feel good, let me tell you. Not only are you famished, but you feel bad because instead of thinking, “ooo what an interesting painting” you are thinking, “I think this town is famous for pumpkin stuffed tortellini. As soon as this is over I’m finding the closest restaurant that serves it and ordering four plates!” That is not what one should be thinking while standing inside a ducal palace that consists of three separate time periods of construction and style, but what can you do? That being said, I would like to tell you about a building that we visited that as part of my art history class. And like 75% of the buildings you visit in Italy, this building is a famous church. Basilica di Sant’Andrea di Mantova to be exact.

We visited Saint Andrea’s because it was designed by Leo Battista Alberti, who was a famous Renaissance humanist figure. His works are among those that initiated the renaissance and produced aspects of the art and architecture that were later to be known as the high Renaissance. One of the most famous churches in Florence, Santa Maria Novella, has a façade designed by him which, like many of his works, was criticized by the catholic church for making buildings that seemed to resemble pagan temples. His humanist style using classical themes was trailblazing in what would become the most recognized architecture style of the Renaissance.

This class I’m in, so far at least, has only studied the artists and times leading up to the renaissance, and since my interests are more of the late Renaissance and Baroque periods, I have been kind of bored and haven’t really enjoyed the churches we’ve seen. But this one I feel is among one of my favorites in Italy. The façade had me guessing, because I thought it was strange and unfitting for its position in the city and its reputation. The façade itself was added later and instead of being put directing on the church’s face it is separated from the church by a large open barrel vault, which I admit is impressive. The geometric spacing and lack of decoration, however, leave me wanting more.

This feeling disappeared soon after walking inside Sant Andrea. This is one of few churches with one large center aisle, or nave. And it is wonderful! Right now the entire nave is covered by scaffolding, so you can’t see past four feet above your head. But walking to the main space at the front of the church and standing under the dome; that is amazing. Alberti designed a window on the roof of the church, in a structural feature called a “cappellone” or “ombrellone” (“big top” or “big umbrella”). This window fills the crossing point under the dome with so much light that reflects to the apse and the chapels adjacent to it. It is magnificent. The decoration is rich and luxurious like always and it’s finally reached the point in time where gold is toned down and the church is more elegant than gaudy. Thank you, Renaissance, for freeing us from the madness of the middle ages!

So what is it that I look for in a church? It isn’t a great priest or a certain faith. It isn’t the right crowd or food. It isn’t even the best artist. I just want something that will make me feel at peace and interested at the same time. Something beautiful that doesn’t go overboard. It’s not too much to ask, is it? Looking around at all of the “greatest” old catholic churches, I sometimes would rather have stayed outside (San Marco’s for instance…). But I have to say, I would pay to go back and see this one, especially after the scaffolding is gone and the restoration has made it even better! I would enjoy seeing more of Alberti’s works, especially I they are in this region, because that way I won’t spend a sack of cash to get to them.

I hope you enjoyed my art history lesson for today! J

Ciao ciao!

Danny Fob

Your Wolverine Abroad Blogger

(The pumpkin stuffed tortellini was AMAZING by the way).

A Wolverine Abroad: And the Art Fair Returns with a Burst of Color!

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Yeah, so this isn’t food like I promised. I know I could talk to you for hours about food, but I didn’t end up going anywhere fancy this week. I did however cook a huge delicious meatloaf, my contest complimented  parmesan mashed potatoes, and real American biscuits made from Bisquick, imported in a care package of a friend. Basically, a delicious American meal to give me a break from the Italian food. It is amazing, I know, but sometimes there is just too much pasta! So for this week I would like to show you another artist I discovered at the art fair. Name: Sandy Skoglund. Media: I’m not really sure…photos? Sculpture? Both? Will someone tell me?

What I like so much about this artist is the use of color and repeating shapes. The use of certain shapes and objects, such as popcorn, squirrels, fish, and babies creates a landscape that is so impressive and so interesting. I think these images provide us with a new way to view the space that we occupy and even the objects that accompany us.

The bold colors in this work, red and yellow, are almost shocking to your eyes, which adds so much to the actual representation of the photo. The man is cowering in fear under a stool being surrounded by the tiny army men he once played with. The picture is like pain and fear, red and yellow, plastic and flesh. The tiny little details that went into making this must have been incredibly infuriating. Every angle and every position exactly perfect to create these feelings. Just amazing.

And then an image like this comes along and you see the contrast of colors and light, nature and humanity, melancholy and hopeful dreaming. The flying orange fish are like something out of a dream world, while the cold blue plastic furniture and light give us the image of a sad point in the figure’s life. It really is so deep and fantastic

Speaking of nature and humanity, look at this mesh of the two. The mixture of the sculptures and the human figures, the trees that walk like us, the creation of forms from the natural elements and from the same clay (or whatever media it is) as the rest of the landscape. And Skoglund uses colors like I’ve never seen before. She puts them next to each other and dares you to think deeper, pushes you to imagine what you can do with these colors.

All in all, she is fantastic. I have been putting her name into the search bar and the images that come up are just fabulous. I would definitely recommend taking a look. I know you all just got back from Spring Break (which I don’t get till Easter by the way) and that you have midterms, but give her a quick ten minutes. You won’t be sorry!

Ciao ciao!
Danny Fob
Your Wolverine Abroad Blogger

Ciao ciao!

Danny Fob

Your Wolverine Abroad Blogger

A Wolverine Abroad: A church? In Italy? No way!

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That’s right folks, I finally went somewhere while being here. What can I say, it cost money to travel. But, as I sit here eating Nutella and biscotti, I realized that I forgot to write yesterday. I know how important I am in all of your lives (note the desperation in my voice) so I wanted to fix it. As part of my Art History class here, we went to Padova to see the Scrovegni Chapel, the interior of which is completely decorated by Giotto’s frescos. These works reveal a lot about the style of the time, the skill of the best artists around, and the politics circling the pre-medieval world. I would also like to get this out of the way before introducing the subjects, just as a disclaimer. I don’t really like early middle ages art and all of the stuff up through the Gothic period. I enjoy learning about it, about the different developments and styles that were happening, about the masterpieces and great artists. But as art, it is not pleasing to me. I find the use of gold very gaudy and I prefer profound allegory to obvious symbolism. Whew! Now that we have that out of the way I can tell you about how I respect these works for what they are.

This chapel, painted in 1303, was donated by Enrico degli Scrovegni. His family, guilty of being usurers (loansharks) were in danger of eternal damnation, and so to save them and he built this chapel in the name of his late father. In order to show that he was repenting for his sins, he had Giotto depict a series of stories and symbols related to sin and redemption, and he placed the opposing symbols of vices and virtues across from each other.

The real masterpieces, however, are those that line the upper portions of the walls. There are three series of reliefs. They follow three bible stories; that of Mary’s parents, that of Joseph and Mary, and that of the Passion. These frescos were made in the period of Giotto’s maturity, and because of their time, they are true masterpieces and incredible proof of the development of depth and light in art stiles.

Though the perspective had not been invented yet, it is possible to see how Giotto has learned to show depth. It may not be perfect, but you are able to see how the hands on the chapel in the first picture appear behind and in front of the house. Or in the second picture how the outstretched arms of the lamenting man actually depict space. I know this sounds kind of silly, it kind of is, but for this period this was new and incredible. The idea of real space and true forms was becoming popular, and artists like Giotto were the first to master these concepts. Movement also became part of the style, which you can see in most of the figures, and especially the angels flying overhead. Trust me, these were the new big thing. Although he is not my favorite, I do like the fact that he stopped using so much gold in everything. Thank you Giotto!

And that’s enough of your art history lesson for today. I’m wondering, do you think food counts as art? I think so. I think for next week I’ll try and find some really interesting and artistic food to write about. It is Italy after all. I eat all the time here. It’s great, but it’s getting ridiculous!

Ciao ciao!

Danny Fob

Your Wolverine Abroad Blogger

A Wolverine Abroad: We All Wear Masks

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Literally! Venice is one of the most famous cities in the world. Its endless bridges and canals connecting the islands of a city born from a marsh draw visitors from all over the world. The art and architecture of the region are rich, and the sea food is legendary. But when people think of Venice, they find themselves thinking of Carnevale, which is one of the world’s most noted festivals. The symbol of the citywide party? A mask, or “una maschera.”

The masks of Venice are some of the most beautiful in the world. Many of them are still made by artisans in their shops that go back generations. Masks can cost anywhere between 2 euro (about $3) to thousands of euro, depending on the quality and decoration. Of course, I am in Italy during February, so I made sure to visit Carnevale in Venice the last weekend that it was going on, and these masks and the costumes that often went with them were breathtakingly beautiful. I doubt most people have ever seen anything like them. Pictures don’t even begin to compare, but here are some anyway.

What’s really amazing about these masks and the costumes is that they are handmade by artisans in their shops. Some sit in the windows making masks for everyone to see. You can watch as they tear and peel and press anything from papier-mâché to actual gold leaf. They make traditional carnevale masks, animals, and sometimes even characters and actors. Visiting these shops is sort of like visiting art museums. You aren’t allowed to have cameras inside, you have to be careful when walking around the store, and you have to by quiet. But it is totally worth it, because some of them are masks that you won’t see anywhere else in the world. It’s easy to copy the traditional Venetian masks if you have hot glue, sequins, and feathers, but the original ones and the richer ones are unique to shops and artists in Venice.

Knowing that these masks would cost hundreds of euro, I decided on one of the roadside stands and my friends and I purchased these masks.

I walked around the entire night jingling because of the bells on my joker mask. It was sort of difficult to eat or drink, but it was so worth it to where that awesome masks and get all those looks of jealousy. How much did it cost you ask? 15 euro! So cheap compared to what I thought it would cost.

I’m so glad I finally got to go somewhere and see some live art, because I’ve been writing about that art fair for way too long. But next week I’ll probably be back on the art fair. Venice kind of went over budget L Thanks so much for reading! Like I said before, if you have any ideas of where in Italy or Europe I should go or what I should write about, leave a comment! Everything is only a train ride away here! It’s so convenient. America needs to catch up with public transportation.

Ciao ciao!

Danny Fob

Your Wolverine Abroad Blogger

Ciao ciao!
Danny Fob
Your Wolverine Abroad Blogger

A Wolverine Abroad – Point of View

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Being in another country changes your perspective so much. When you go on vacation somewhere you see the sights and taste the foods, but when you actually live somewhere that is fundamentally different from everything that you know your entire view changes. Taking a trip to Italy you see the coliseum and the canals of Venice, you taste the pasta, pizza, and gelato, and you hear the people speak without understanding a word. It is all beautiful. But I’ve spent a month and a half here and already I begin to see those things that we miss as tourists. It’s a country filled with immigrants and poverty. There isn’t enough work and the government is struggling to repair itself and its people. The colors start to fade and blend until I can see a sort of grey film. This is what the artist for this week has depicted. Paolo Ventura, a Milanese photographer, had an exhibition at the ever-famous art fair. The works on display were from a collection called “behind the walls.” I found them interesting because of the mode in which everything was grey, but still hopeful. Sad, yet beautiful. Sad beauty is strangely one of my favorite themes in expression and in nature. Enough intro, this is one of his works.

Street music is, as Willy Wonka said, “…a good deed in a weary world” and that is what I think when I see the works of this artist. The people are placed in this tired grey world, but still they work hard and create something so beautiful. And in another work Mr. Ventura shows how nature and man can coexist.

Though the tree has lost its leaves for the greyness of the coming winter, it lives still within the city walls, which in a place like Bologna I’ve learned is something very rare. I’ve never felt so far from trees before, coming from Michigan. And the man holds a bird in his hand, as if it just landed there by itself. At first glance the picture seems be rainy and glum, but looking deeper you see the light of the caffe’ escaping into the street, lighting up the man and his companion. The use of light and shadow in this man’s work is wonderful. He has mastered the use of city light, which is simultaneously bright and dreary.

It is so beautiful to learn about a culture through its developing artists. I’ve studied the artists from the past and have learned about their culture. Now though, seeing artworks like these and researching them further, I am seeing things about life here that these artists are trying to make statements about. I’m excited to continue writing about the art here. Hopefully soon I’ll have some classical art for you. Maybe I’ll check out a museum this week!

Ciao ciao!

Danny Fob

Your Wolverine Abroad Blogger