It's the end of the first month. Went by fairly quickly, shockingly so in fact. Today I handed in the banner for the Firenze games workshop store, I found out that I might be at the top of the 40k league as well. However, back to the main topic, the folks liked the banner a lot, which I was quite pleased with. Pietro introduced me to the fellow who'll be running the store after next week (or so). Nice guy named Lucca (I am not sure if that's how it's spelt). Doesn't speak any English, so it'll be an opportunity for me to learn more of the language.
small update.
the end.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Gori! Part 2!
Two more of the pieces from the exhibit I'll actually talk about. The First was this room made up of coloured walls and mirrors. It was pretty fantastic and after the guide told us Artist/Date/Concept, she said (essentially) "Go play in it". We all rushed to the mirror box and proceeded to take a ton of pictures.
The other was this 'meditation' room, but the only door had a fountain blocking it. We climbed in anyway, so that was pretty good fun.
On the way to the fountain, there was a drinking fountain, called the "Lovers Fountain" or something like that. There was little faces inside it. Apparently the faces change on the different fountains in the facility. Also, you needed to keep your hand over the top of the fountain when you immediately turned it on, or else you'd get blasted by water.
Another exhibit was a path that lead into a hill, of which halfway was a small fountain in the floor and two seats for meditation, into the hill was a small tunnel which had a couple of trick dead ends and rose into a glass box at the top of some stairs.
Another of the really cool ones, was this stone and marble maze, which looked like a cube from the outside, but inside the maze is a lot longer then you'd origonally imagine. The Maze had TARDIS-like capabilities almost. Outside the maze was a sketchy wooden platform which you could see that the maze was not a square, but more of a rectangle.
They try to keep all the works 'as they are' after the artist installs the work and they do not alter the landscape in any way. However, one of the works was attached to a tree, which fell during a violent storm. It was getting late by this point, so the picture is pretty shitty, but the bridge we walked on was cool as well.
There was an amphitheater built into one of the hills in a small valley, which had placed on the top of a hill facing it a scuplture resembling a tuning fork. They put on shows in this little theatre often, apparently.
Also,in a bamboo forrest was a series of large concrete objects. Some geometric shapes and a large bell. I forget what the point of it was, but it was cool to get too and see.
There was also these large stone/metal sculptures creeping in the woods near the amphitheater.
That's all for now, but I uploaded a video to the youtubes of a street preformance I saw. It was pretty cool, so check it out.
Also, I woke up today to go running at 6am. Crazy I know. Anyway, until next time.
Ciao!
The other was this 'meditation' room, but the only door had a fountain blocking it. We climbed in anyway, so that was pretty good fun.
On the way to the fountain, there was a drinking fountain, called the "Lovers Fountain" or something like that. There was little faces inside it. Apparently the faces change on the different fountains in the facility. Also, you needed to keep your hand over the top of the fountain when you immediately turned it on, or else you'd get blasted by water.
Another exhibit was a path that lead into a hill, of which halfway was a small fountain in the floor and two seats for meditation, into the hill was a small tunnel which had a couple of trick dead ends and rose into a glass box at the top of some stairs.
Another of the really cool ones, was this stone and marble maze, which looked like a cube from the outside, but inside the maze is a lot longer then you'd origonally imagine. The Maze had TARDIS-like capabilities almost. Outside the maze was a sketchy wooden platform which you could see that the maze was not a square, but more of a rectangle.
They try to keep all the works 'as they are' after the artist installs the work and they do not alter the landscape in any way. However, one of the works was attached to a tree, which fell during a violent storm. It was getting late by this point, so the picture is pretty shitty, but the bridge we walked on was cool as well.
There was an amphitheater built into one of the hills in a small valley, which had placed on the top of a hill facing it a scuplture resembling a tuning fork. They put on shows in this little theatre often, apparently.
Also,in a bamboo forrest was a series of large concrete objects. Some geometric shapes and a large bell. I forget what the point of it was, but it was cool to get too and see.
There was also these large stone/metal sculptures creeping in the woods near the amphitheater.
That's all for now, but I uploaded a video to the youtubes of a street preformance I saw. It was pretty cool, so check it out.
Also, I woke up today to go running at 6am. Crazy I know. Anyway, until next time.
Ciao!
Gori Collection! (Part 1)
Yesterday, the class went to the Gori Collection in nearby Pistoia. We loaded onto a train at 12:07 and head out. We had a bit of trouble with busses in Pistoia to get to the collection, but we arrived (just not punctually). The Guide was really friendly and helpful and our tour group also included a small group of Germans as well. The Gori collection is an area of woods on a hill which contemporary artists have been invited to create site specific sculptures and pieces. The area was beautiful and the view from the houses at the entrance was was stunning as the work inside.
I'm going to include a series of pictures and add explanations to some and leave them open to interpretation. Mostly as I forget what a bunch of the stuff was about.
These are pictures from the train to Pistoia.
The hike to the Gori from the road and views from the main gate.
Some installations we saw.
This first work tried to replicate ripples in water and usually the water level would be high enough to reach it.
This next scuplture was based on a 'forrest spirit' which guards an ice hole right under it, as well as that part of the forrest. Made from iron and wood and other neat things. Quite impressive.
This piece of standing sculptures represents isolation in masses, or something like that. One things for sure, it looked amazing in this field next to the hills.
This next work on this man made lake is made entirely of aluminum and when the wind is strong it makes the best noises. Also, apparently in the spring when the flowers are in bloom and float around on the breezes it's a stunning sight.
I don't have time to upload more pictures right now, so look for Part 2 later.
I'm going to include a series of pictures and add explanations to some and leave them open to interpretation. Mostly as I forget what a bunch of the stuff was about.
These are pictures from the train to Pistoia.
The hike to the Gori from the road and views from the main gate.
Some installations we saw.
This first work tried to replicate ripples in water and usually the water level would be high enough to reach it.
This next scuplture was based on a 'forrest spirit' which guards an ice hole right under it, as well as that part of the forrest. Made from iron and wood and other neat things. Quite impressive.
This piece of standing sculptures represents isolation in masses, or something like that. One things for sure, it looked amazing in this field next to the hills.
This next work on this man made lake is made entirely of aluminum and when the wind is strong it makes the best noises. Also, apparently in the spring when the flowers are in bloom and float around on the breezes it's a stunning sight.
I don't have time to upload more pictures right now, so look for Part 2 later.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
September 27th
Today has been a lazy, but sort of productive day so far. Well, first off, I went to the studio yesterday and did some more work on the banner, which is now nearly done. Also, afterwards Dianne, Agata, Aisha and myself went to see Super 8 at the local theatre (Just came out in theaters here!). So, we bought tickets for the 8:10pm show, got some beer (as you can bring beer into the theatre) and enjoyed the movie. However, halfway through the film, the movie abruptly stopped for the intermission. We found out the folks sitting ahead of us were from California and are architectural students during this time.
Right, so today. Agata, Dianne and I went for a run early this morning, I ate a huge bowl of special K and then went to a local park to paint. While listening to the "Tech Guy show with leo Laport" and sitting on that park bench for a good couple of hours (or more?) I finally made a Plain Air painting I'm at least moderately happy with. Also skyped with my friend Annyen.
I include an image of the banner update here.
Here I include some pictures of some small watercolours I've made in the past week.
The weather has been much nicer this week then before. I'm guessing closer to mid/low twenties. We had a great thunderstorm a couple of days ago. I could hear the thunder brewing from the north went I left the cottage (or my house). It accompied me the whole walk to the studio (of which I was expected to get drenched along the way, but thankfully, the rain held off until well after I finished the 30min walk to the studio). I did a small painting and some drawing in someone elses studio room out their window, as I watched the arcs of lighting light up the sky.
Now I'm going to head to the studio to do some more painting. Work work work.
Right, so today. Agata, Dianne and I went for a run early this morning, I ate a huge bowl of special K and then went to a local park to paint. While listening to the "Tech Guy show with leo Laport" and sitting on that park bench for a good couple of hours (or more?) I finally made a Plain Air painting I'm at least moderately happy with. Also skyped with my friend Annyen.
I include an image of the banner update here.
Here I include some pictures of some small watercolours I've made in the past week.
The weather has been much nicer this week then before. I'm guessing closer to mid/low twenties. We had a great thunderstorm a couple of days ago. I could hear the thunder brewing from the north went I left the cottage (or my house). It accompied me the whole walk to the studio (of which I was expected to get drenched along the way, but thankfully, the rain held off until well after I finished the 30min walk to the studio). I did a small painting and some drawing in someone elses studio room out their window, as I watched the arcs of lighting light up the sky.
Now I'm going to head to the studio to do some more painting. Work work work.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
September 25th.
Today was an exhausting day. Around today is the 140th anniversary of the founding of Italy. If it's not, then this is the year, but I felt like today was it. There was a sea of green as folks all over florence gathered in a palazzo Veracchio in green Cosìla vita shirts in anticipation for a race through Florence. My friend Edison and I decided to partake in the 5km run they had going on. 10 euro cost, which went to charity. Seemed like a good way to get into the community. After a rousing rendition of the Italian national anthem (which the whole crowd sung along to and a marching band played), we listened for the "Tre! Due! Uno!" and the firing of a pistol to start the race. All the signs and announcements were in Italian of course and the two of us followed a wave of people through a start gate which funneled us down a road across the Arno and into the countryside to the south of Florence. By the time we reached the 5KM checkpoint we realized we had mistakenly entered into not the 5km run, but the more 'competitive run'.
At 6km, there was a rest station with poweraid, water, tea and citrus. We had no idea how much longer we had to go, for all we knew we were running a half marathon. The views were splendid and since I thought I was running only 5k through town, I failed to bring my camera. However we were gifted with vistas of rolling hills of such splendor. However, at the time this was not as enjoyable while we dragged ourselves up the gradually climbing hills of the road. All the views we spied of Florence made the city seem horrifyingly distant. By the 8km checkpoint, we realized that we were starting to go down hill and back to the city. At the 12thkm we were running into the finish line. We guzzled down cups of free sMUthies and proceeded to head back home to essential pass out. I ended up totally drenched with sweat and exhausted beyond my wildest imagination, but I don't regret it at all.
Wednesday we go to the Gorring Collection, which I am excited for.
Ciao for now.
At 6km, there was a rest station with poweraid, water, tea and citrus. We had no idea how much longer we had to go, for all we knew we were running a half marathon. The views were splendid and since I thought I was running only 5k through town, I failed to bring my camera. However we were gifted with vistas of rolling hills of such splendor. However, at the time this was not as enjoyable while we dragged ourselves up the gradually climbing hills of the road. All the views we spied of Florence made the city seem horrifyingly distant. By the 8km checkpoint, we realized that we were starting to go down hill and back to the city. At the 12thkm we were running into the finish line. We guzzled down cups of free sMUthies and proceeded to head back home to essential pass out. I ended up totally drenched with sweat and exhausted beyond my wildest imagination, but I don't regret it at all.
Wednesday we go to the Gorring Collection, which I am excited for.
Ciao for now.
Friday, September 23, 2011
September 24th
The last few days have been rather exciting, or at least rather busy. Thursday in particular. Basically, we had our meetings with our proff last week. Third years on Tuesday and fourth and fifth years on Thursday. I'm not all that sure what happened in the third years meeting, but the fourth year one went well. It was pretty much a glorified show and tell, while you give ideas on how you plan to spend the rest of the next seven months. A lot of the folks have very impressive artworks and I'm very excited to see my colleagues work progress. I showed my water colour sketches I've done at camp and while I've been here. After seeing them, my proff told me just to keep on doing them and not really change what I do. I was expecting some suggestion of doing something else with the water colours, like to push myself or such nonsense, but my Proff, Sarah, thinks that's not necessary.
Wednesday, we visited the Brancacci Chapel, which features fresco's painted by Masaccio and Masolino. Most notably, Masaccio's Tribute Money painted in 1424. Stunning stunning cathedral, however you're only allowed to be inside for fifteen minutes at a time. So basically, the amount of time it takes to pick your jaw off the floor.
Thursday night, was the "Welcome Day" celebration for all the American university's and colleges. As OCAD is from North America, we tagged a long as well. Located in the beautiful Pazzalo Vecchio, we sat through speeches from various people of significance (representatives from the Prime Minister and Regional president, An American Ambassador and even the Mayor of Florence). Very nice, but also a bit boring. As OCAD is the only Canadian School, no one mentioned Canada at all, so I felt displaced from a vast majority of what was said. Afterwards though there was a fantastic bloc party on the steps of San Lorenzo and we got to meet folks from other schools (in the states) and enjoy free food, drink and pumping music. Apparently, there is at least 130 folks here from California alone, a small group of people from over thirty American schools which have abroad programs in Firenze.
Wednesday, we visited the Brancacci Chapel, which features fresco's painted by Masaccio and Masolino. Most notably, Masaccio's Tribute Money painted in 1424. Stunning stunning cathedral, however you're only allowed to be inside for fifteen minutes at a time. So basically, the amount of time it takes to pick your jaw off the floor.
Thursday night, was the "Welcome Day" celebration for all the American university's and colleges. As OCAD is from North America, we tagged a long as well. Located in the beautiful Pazzalo Vecchio, we sat through speeches from various people of significance (representatives from the Prime Minister and Regional president, An American Ambassador and even the Mayor of Florence). Very nice, but also a bit boring. As OCAD is the only Canadian School, no one mentioned Canada at all, so I felt displaced from a vast majority of what was said. Afterwards though there was a fantastic bloc party on the steps of San Lorenzo and we got to meet folks from other schools (in the states) and enjoy free food, drink and pumping music. Apparently, there is at least 130 folks here from California alone, a small group of people from over thirty American schools which have abroad programs in Firenze.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
September 20
Busy last few days. I've been working on the banner for the Games Workshop store finally (store closed on sunday, so wasn't able to buy paints until Monday). This week our professor is also meeting with the variant class years in a discussion on peoples art styles and what we intend to do in the next seven months. Today was 3rd years and then Thursday I'll be presenting along with the other 4th years and 5th years.
Today I went up to the top of this hill south of Piazza Michelangelo to the San Miniato al Monte. It's a really cool church, with the most stunning view of the city. Went up with a friend from school and we arrived just in time to catch the monks chanting inside. Very very cool. We also ran into a group of American students from California who are studying architecture. As it turns out, they are here for as long as we are. After the Church, we went to the pizza place which was regarded as the "best Pizza place in Florence" in our student handbooks. I wont lie, it was pretty good.
Here are some photos on my work in progress on the banner.
And some pictures from San Miniato al Monte and nighttime on the Arno.
Until next time.
Ciao!
Today I went up to the top of this hill south of Piazza Michelangelo to the San Miniato al Monte. It's a really cool church, with the most stunning view of the city. Went up with a friend from school and we arrived just in time to catch the monks chanting inside. Very very cool. We also ran into a group of American students from California who are studying architecture. As it turns out, they are here for as long as we are. After the Church, we went to the pizza place which was regarded as the "best Pizza place in Florence" in our student handbooks. I wont lie, it was pretty good.
Here are some photos on my work in progress on the banner.
And some pictures from San Miniato al Monte and nighttime on the Arno.
Until next time.
Ciao!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
September 18th
Yesterday, we boarded the train to Lucca for the day. Train tickets were not too expensive (like 5 euro a pop) and after a half hour->hour of sitting in a train we reached Lucca. One neat thing about Lucca is that it's one of the last walled cities kicking about and there is this very nifty wall containing the entire diameter of the city. The group of us were spat out of the train in the station just outside the walls, headed for the interior and immediately lost all cohesion as a 'group'.
Once a month in Lucca, there is a fantastic antique show, which dominated the majority of the southern part of the city. They had all sorts of random nick-nacks for sale, along with a decent amount of neat war stuff. I saw black powder pistols, helmets, trench shovels and range finders kicking around, along with other things. My personal highlight of the show was this one fellow who was selling old Milan newspapers. He had them from the entire war period and the decades afterwards and each had a water-colour painted back and front cover. Many during the war period of tanks blowing up and infantry fighting and planes crashing into Milanese building. Pretty amazing. Dianne, Iskuhi and I each got two. the group of us found a cool music store which was into rock and roll and metal, which we loitered in for a bit (going to Lucca to look at beatles and Iron Maiden swag). Had pretty tastey pizza for lunch and wandered around the rest of the town. There is a large Piazza near the northern end of the city, which has all the building curving around it. Very cool, but hard to find. There are obscure narrow streets which lead into it and we nearly walked past it twice.
Around 4pm, we stopped for some (overly priced) tea and coffee and then made our way back to the train station. We caught the 5:33pm train back to Firenze, enjoyed dinner and a rousing game of Catan and then drifted off to a late sleep. All in all, a pretty fantastic day.
Once a month in Lucca, there is a fantastic antique show, which dominated the majority of the southern part of the city. They had all sorts of random nick-nacks for sale, along with a decent amount of neat war stuff. I saw black powder pistols, helmets, trench shovels and range finders kicking around, along with other things. My personal highlight of the show was this one fellow who was selling old Milan newspapers. He had them from the entire war period and the decades afterwards and each had a water-colour painted back and front cover. Many during the war period of tanks blowing up and infantry fighting and planes crashing into Milanese building. Pretty amazing. Dianne, Iskuhi and I each got two. the group of us found a cool music store which was into rock and roll and metal, which we loitered in for a bit (going to Lucca to look at beatles and Iron Maiden swag). Had pretty tastey pizza for lunch and wandered around the rest of the town. There is a large Piazza near the northern end of the city, which has all the building curving around it. Very cool, but hard to find. There are obscure narrow streets which lead into it and we nearly walked past it twice.
Around 4pm, we stopped for some (overly priced) tea and coffee and then made our way back to the train station. We caught the 5:33pm train back to Firenze, enjoyed dinner and a rousing game of Catan and then drifted off to a late sleep. All in all, a pretty fantastic day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)