Tag: Italy

TOLAROIDS: Stories

akilian Leave a comment

Not every photo you take will be perfect in form and technique: maybe the composition will be slightly off, the shadows are a bit too dark, or there is something in the background. Sure, there is always Lightroom and Photoshop, but personally, I don’t like editing too much unless the photo has an amazing subject and I messed up the settings. I’d much rather try to take a good shot from the start, but as we know that’s not always going to be the case (no matter how much experience you have).

That’s why today I wanted to share three photos from the summer with hopefully fun stories behind them.

A Swiss guard standing at the border of the smallest country in the world. But wait, why Swiss? Swiss soldiers, according to the Roman author Tacitus, were long renowned as the best soldiers in the world and were in especially high demand in the early renaissance. In 1505 Matthäus Schiner, a Swiss bishop to Vatican, proposed the creation of Swiss corps employed and controlled by the Vatican. The guards soon earned a reputation for bravery and sacrifice when 147 of 189 died defending Pope Clement VII during the sack of Rome in 1527, and later taking defensive positions despite being outnumbered when German forces rolled into Rome during World War II. Swiss guards protect the Vatican to this day and there are many requirements to become one starting with actual Swiss citizenship.

 

While touring the Colosseum we suddenly heard a faint noise from one of the columns. It was a ginger cat looking at the crowds of tourists walking by, but not at all scared of them – he seemed like he owned the place and we were the intruders. We joked that maybe it was Vespasian, the emperor under which Colosseum was built, although Nero would be more fitting – he was thought to be ginger and the Colosseum was built on the grounds he took for himself from the Romans as well as next to a giant statue of his, the Colossus. The truth is, in modern-day Rome, there are over 200 cats living in the Colosseum: reincarnations of Roman emperors or not, they definitely rule the place now.

 

A security guard takes a break to look outside of a museum of Markets of Trajan in Rome. It’s around 40 degrees outside (around 104F) and his windows are open. Almost every window surrounding him is different, but each reflects the clear blue sky that allows for such brutal weather. His view is even more impressive than his place of work: It’s the Forum Romanum, a collection of public buildings that would make up the center of Roman life for centuries.

 

Feel free to let me know what you think! I love when you guys reach out

Till next week!

– Tola

IG: @akilian.jpg

email: akilian@umich.edu

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

dannyfob Leave a comment

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

dannyfob Leave a comment

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 – Strike A Pose

dannyfob Leave a comment

This week I would like to talk about something that relates to a cause I write about often. I went to the birthday party of a bartender that I know here in Italy. He works at a Gay bar and the party was at a club called Cassero. The Cassero is, during the day, the seat of the LGBT rights foundation here in Italy, called Arcigay. It is a great foundation that does so much for the community, including this really great birthday party. This week’s post is about the spectacle put on by the friends of Massimo, the bartender, and by members of Arcigay.

Arcigay foundation
Arcigay foundation

As in any gay venue in the U.S., there were drag queens, fabulous drag queens. They sang a few great songs, mostly Italian but also “Our Day Will Come” by Amy Winehouse. It was so beautiful. I love when the queens sing, because they sing in their masculine voice and it is so surprising and fantastic every time I hear it. And their outfits were so perfectly chosen for the occasion, they could have been called art-fits.

What I really like about the night was the performance of “Vogue” by Madonna. Madonna is a common subject in the community here, even more so than in the states, because she is Italian, as I’ve been told many many times (Also in this category is Lady Gaga). I knew all this. What I didn’t know, however, was that Italians knew how to vogue. It is a huge part of American gay culture, but I didn’t think that it translated to over here. But it did. Six performers were onstage going through pose after pose. Arms spread out, then hugging torso, then behind the head. Perfect hits every time. This was actually the first time I saw vogue-ing live, so it was even better. For those who don’t know, vogue-ing is a dance style developed in the gay ball communities that focuses on poses from its namesake magazine. Each beat is a different pose. The dance requires a certain amount of poise and elegance while also needing attitude, speed, and accuracy. For more info, you could watch the documentary “Paris is Burning”. It’s fantastic.

I know that seeing people vogue in a show isn’t what you expect to read from an art reviewer living in Bologna. I feel like it’s actually really strange. But this is an art form that is still thriving throughout the gay community all over the world. I also spent the week looking for apartments, so I didn’t have the chance to find something of great mention; though I know that here it isn’t difficult. Good news though! I found a great apartment, and the roommates are all musicians!! So I’ll always have something to write about! Really though, I’m excited to move and I’m already making some great friends. Someday soon we’re going to an Italian opera here, and maybe a ballet. I’ll definitely be writing about them. I also might try out for this play here in Bologna. I’ll let you know how it goes!

Tanti Auguri!

Danny Fob

Your Wolverine Abroad Blogger