Trofeo Marzocco Sbandieratori Florence Italy

Dear Art Lover,

     The first of May is the Festa del Lavoro [Labor Day] in Italia.  It comes the morning after La Notte Bianca (The White Night) in Florence.  Each town sets its own date for the city-wide party that is the White Night, in which the streets are packed with people, food, music, and sometimes much more amazing things, such as light shows and theatres.  

Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy on 1 May 2015 - Labor Day

 

     So, I was a bit drowsy starting off my Italian Labor Day.  Thankfully, I did not have to be anywhere until 3 pm and I got to meet a wonderful lady, Camila Martinez.  She is a friend of my Texas-based friend Kate and we shared a lovely evening and meal together.  She had been down in Roma presenting her creations at a conference.  Camilia is making a series of films working with the Mayan peoples (whom I did not realize still existed) to educate them on how Monsanto is spreading its GMO life-destroying seeds in Mexico.  Camilia has many interests and this was not her first time in Florence.  

View from behind the base for Cellini's bronze Perseus sculpture

The left side of the base shows the dead Medusa's hand (bronze).

I could not resist this shot "Lion bites the head off of a man."

     I was elated to find out that Friday morning on Facebook that the historic competition Trofeo Marzocco was starting at 3.30 p.m. in Piazza della Signoria.  This is the flag-waving competition (Trofeo = trophy, Marzocco = a lion that is the symbol/protector of Firenze).  The flag-waving group Bandierai degli Uffizi di Firenze performed as well as a couple of others.  I was charmed by the group nicknamed the “Zanzare” [mosquitos]:  children learning the art of flag-waving.  All wore costumes designed in medieval times or inspired by that era.

     Incidentally, it is my understanding that bandiera is the flag itself, whereas the “S” in front as in  sbandieratori refers to the people who throw the flags.  [The ending of that latter word is also a clue that the word prefers to people who do a specific thing.]  I also like it that girls, boys, kids, and old men perform together.

     The timing of the event was perfect and Camilia was delighted and enchanted with the performance.  While I am not big on crowds, I was surprised how relatively few people were up inside the Loggia dei Lanzi to get a gander of the acts. But it was nice to me to take a break for a wee bit and just sit in this environment full of sculpture as the medieval drum beats filled my heart.  Thank you, Kate!

     Some fun links if you would like to see more related to today’s topics:
The flag-waving group of Florence:
https://www.facebook.com/BandieraidegliUffizi
Symbol of Florence: The Marzocco (lion) created by Donatello:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marzocco
Images from the flag-waving competition:
http://www.lanazione.it/firenze/sbandieratori-marzocco-1.908669

     Incidentally, the crew of Ron Howard with actor Tom Hanks, among many others, are filming in Florence now on another of the Dan Brown novels.

Peace,

Kelly

~ Kelly Borsheim, sculptor, painter, writer, teacher

http://BorsheimArts.com

Kids should be able to see too, but at the expense of everyone else in the crowd?

Nice dreads!  Thankfully she was not up high for long (not a kid!).

Could David be less interested in the judges or even the performers?

Make a standing pyramid and then rotate all in a 360 ! 

Comparing profiles:  Perseum and Lion

Giardino dell’Orticoltura Florence Italy

Dear Art Lover,

     So, continuing my post from yesterday, I “discovered” the Giardino dell’Orticoltura on my way home from Giovanni’s.  I had decided to weave my way down unknown streets while biking home that evening.  I had a vague idea of where I was, but each T in the streets led me to re-evaluate my theory.  These days I get torn between my youthful love of getting lost on purpose to see what one can see, and getting back to my work because I never feel that I have enough time.

     Well, I had seen pictures of this park, but never really took the time to figure out where it is.  However, I heard a long time ago that an open door is an invitation.  So, when I rode past an interesting open gate, I turned around and decided to explore, rationalizing that “later will not likely come and I am here now.”

     Oh, what a delight!  And as the dusk approached, the sky became my favorite shade of blue!  Open at 8:30 every morning, the closing time depends upon the season.  From January through March, the park closes at 6 p.m.  Most of the time the park closes at 7 pm, with the summer months of June, July, and August allow you to enjoy this public space in the city until 8 p.m.  Naturally, I found myself being politely shoo’d out by the staff.  But I was happy to have my curiosity satisfied and I got to see tulips! 

Peace,
Kelly

~ Kelly Borsheim, sculptor, painter, writer, teacher

http://BorsheimArts.com

Florence Italy and Liberation Day

Dear Art Lover,


     I found myself in a part of Firenze, Italia, that I do not visit often.  And there was a ton of construction around the Viale and the Fortezza, so I found myself taking long detours on my bicycle as I worked my way over to the lab of an Italian acquaintance.  Giovanni, a poet on the side, wanted to show me how he could help me with my art business, with CDs, video, and other types of promotional products.  I am not really interested in publicity materials, but I am trying to brainstorm a way for more people to be able to enjoy visual art sort of along the lines of how writers and musicians have an advantage over we artists because they can really reduce their expenses by allowing fans to electronically download books, poems, and songs. So, now that I explained something about the art business and what I am trying to do, Giovanni and I are both thinking on it!

      But I digress.  I mostly just wanted to share with you some images that you do not usually see when you see images of the Renaissance City.  This town has so much more to offer than most tourists (and even this “local”) is likely to discover without some effort.  So, I share with you some fun images.  

     Note the sign alerting people of potential electrocution by the bridge . . .  hahha.  

     And the street scene was fun.  I started to photograph the boys sitting out on their balcony.  Only later when I got home did I realize that they and the garbage man in the street were looking at something my way… how convenient!

     I just realized how many images I have of the ride home, so I will wait until tomorrow for those images.  Today is Liberation Day in Italia.  I know a family in Casignano just outside of Florence.  Renato is in his early 90s, but when I met him, he told me of his childhood memories of how American soldiers came to stay in his home in the hills.  They helped the Italians liberate their city near the end of WWII.  

     Now, I obviously had nothing to do with this, but I benefit from the actions of my countrymen so many years ago.  Italians in general have an affection and fondness for Americans that might only be matched by how Americans feel towards la bella Italia.  No one should ever celebrate war, but we can celebrate love, sharing, and a victory over oppression and violence.

Happy Liberation Day, Italia!

Peace,
Kelly

~ Kelly Borsheim, sculptor, painter, writer, teacher

http://BorsheimArts.com