NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2013

DIVA FACULTY CAPTURESALUMNI ENGAGEMENT ON CAMERA

ISSUE 5 - YEAR 4 | PALAZZI / FUA | AUGUST 2014

NEWSLETTER

Photo courtesy ofSilvia Mancini and Tom Kelleher

Reconnecting with alumni students is always a moving experience but when the faculty staff of DIVA was contacted by Tom Kelleher, it wasn’t the usual message to touch base.

by DIVA Staff

Tom came to DIVA with a specific request - organise a surprise proposal to his girlfriend and now fiancé Margaret Brooks in front of the San Miniato al Monte church at Piazzale Michelangelo. During his days as a student in Florence, Tom took

liberal arts classes and did an internship at the Maggio Musicale at Florence’s city theater, one of Europe’s great music and theater scenes. Deciding where to get engaged was an obvious choice, he shares that “Florence is a city that is important to both of us, with its rich culture and

2

NEW MUSEUM ENTRY IN FLORENCE:MUSEO NOVECENTO Photos by the author

One of the most intriguing things to me, in 2014, is to see what has changed in Florence since my two years away.

I lived in Florence for the first time in 2012.  As a photographer and art historian who focuses primarily in photographic history and practice from 1960-present, my interest had been piqued by TripAdvisor's reviews of the Museo Nazionale Alinari Della Fotografia. When I finally made it to the museum, I was delighted to see the ardent attention paid to photography's rich history and the contemporary exhibits displayed in the museum.If you're wondering, let me confirm this for you: the Museo Nazionale Alinari della Fotografia has changed. Located in Piazza Santa Maria

Novella, the photography museum I visited in 2012 has been turned into the Museo Novecento: a multi-level museum with art from the 1900s, including installation, collage, video, sculpture, painting, and a broad range of other media.I was lucky enough to attend the VIP opening of the Museo Novecento. The opening of this museum is very monumental to me, as Florence is known for its Renaissance greatness, and has struggled to break away from its antiquated past. Florence, in my mind, is changing and beginning to make a name for itself as a contemporary haven for art and artists. Museo Novecento is evidence of this, and don't worry: it's preserving Alinari's historic archives.The museum's collection is vast and

impressive. Separated by movements and manifestos, you are offered a cohesive look into the rapidly changing art scene in Florence during the 1900s. Walking through the museum, it is easy to feel slightly overwhelmed while sorting through the visual menagerie of history due to the vastness of the collection. With careful consideration, Museo Novecento offers a hefty serving of art history that will be more than enough to digest as you continue to learn about contemporary art in Florence and Italy alike.It is significant to educate yourself and those around you the relevance of Italian art in the contemporary era. I recommend that you take a day this fall, rent an audio tour, and wander around the beautiful Museo Novecento!

by Melissa Kreider

history of art and religion.” The original planning for the proposal took place months in advance began with DIVA academic coordinator Giulio Vinci and photography studies director David Weiss who advised Tom on how to make the moment happen. Reaching out to FUA was inspired as Tom states “because many of the incredible memories of my first time in Italy were due to the insight and generosity of the faculty there. I have returned to Italy twice since my original study abroad experience, because of the Italian hospitality that was shown to us by [FUA].”On June 16th, 2014, the couple trailed through the Boboli Gardens in the late afternoon and arrived at San Miniato al Monte in the early evening. Prof. Silvia Mancini casually appeared on scene and Maggie pointed out to Tom that his professor happened to be there, to which he casually deduced that “she must be here for a project.”

The crucial moment arrived in front of the church, when the couple conceded itself a few minute’s rest and Tom suddenly broke into song. Tom is known for his frequent musical outbursts yet Maggie gathered that this wasn’t just a fun tune, as the lyrics of Gavin Degraw’s “Where You Are” reflected Tom’s desire to spend the rest of his life with her. Prof. Mancini masterfully captured the entire moment, which, of course, includes Maggie’s “yes!”DIVA recently checked in with Tom, who shares:“Margaret and I are looking to be Wed in the late summer of 2015 in Maine, USA. We are both so thankful that we were able to have captured every micro-moment of this entire story. It is something we can relive anytime we choose to. Florence has so much to offer, one thing in particular is the many generous people who are willing help, without hesitation.”

NEWSLETTER

3

AUGUST 2014

ARTIST’S STUDIO: ANDREA MANCINIby Mia Badham

Photos by Melissa Kreider

On July 16th, Lucia Giardino, Melissa Kreider, and I visited the studio of Andrea Mancini, a Tuscan artist, who will inaugurate the Fall exhibition season at GANZO.

Born in Florence, 1958, he studied graphic design at the Art Institute of Florence and soon began his career as advertising agent and freelance creative, starting off as a cartoonist/illustrator. The Museo Marino Marini in town is one among the institutions that have acquired his pieces. He currently lives in Florence, where he runs a multi-purpose space downtown, functioning as his personal studio and as a gallery for his work and the wearable collection of Stefania Alba. Collectively the space is known as 166@.When we asked Mancini where he gets his inspiration, he told us of his upbringing in the Renaissance tradition, his later exposure to American Pop, and the influence of mass culture and new media. His muses include Warhol, Oldenburg, and Hockney. Then he told a story, just something that had always stuck in his mind, of an experience he had in Florence in 1966. Floodwaters surged through the city damaging not only homes but also churches and the works of art inside. He told us how he walked through the city after the floods subsided and he saw paintings all laid out in a row to dry, half stained from the mixture of water and gasoline. This mix of tradition and new materials, must have influenced his works and visions.Mancini uses mainly with oil paint or watercolor. Watercolor technique is fast and precise. Early explorers would use it as a way to create quick images of new findings. It is perfected by balancing the empty whiteness of the paper with the areas of saturation.Once you have laid down pigment there is no taking it back. Mancini compares his technique to calligraphy, the art of the mark. He often works vertically allowing the color

to escape and run down the paper. While watercolors are often used to create small intimate works, Mancini has used them to create life sized full-body portraits. I asked him if he did many studies in preparation for these large paintings and he had but he said that he will sometimes jump straight into a large work without preparatory studies and has found that his method allows him to capture much more detail. Mancini is currently working on a 1.5 x 3.5m watercolor painting for his upcoming exhibition at GANZO. The piece is Mancini's reinterpretation of Pellizza da Volpedo's The Fourth Estate. We skimmed through his notebook to get a glimpse of what he has in mind but I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise of the upcoming show.His studio at 166@ is absolutely worth visiting. I hope you can make it to his show which is opening on September 24th at GANZO.

166@ via Cavour, 166A - Firenze

tel: 055.5389062

Mon: 4 pm - 8 pm Thurs-Sat: 9 am - 1 pm

4 pm - 8 pm

4

Born in Beinasco, Piedmont, in 1958, Benetti started his exhibition career in 1985. From this period, the artist has been engaged in a huge number of personal shows between Zurich, Brussels, Madrid, Elba, Nice, Tirano, Turin, Milan and Siena. His research concentrates on the life cycle and its various forms of representation, an archetypical phenomenon that reigns the world of human beings as well as Nature. Benetti gives form to his ideas by means of the Moon icon, declined in site specific monumental sculptures covered with fluorescent paint. Among his permanent works we should mention the Moon sculpture in the Park of Hotel Windsor in Nice and Red Moon, a flying monumental sculpture at the Astronomical Observatory in the Chianti. Among his temporary site-specific installations a Night & Day Moon on the facade of the Astronomical Observatory INAF in Trieste is a symbol of the project A Celestial Atlas - Homage to Alessandro Piccolomini (2013). One of his moon-works was shown at Winters Hair Concept,

during the Fuorisalone Milan (2014). This summer his moon magic has conquered the City of Siena with two outdoor installations in memory of Alessandro Piccolomini, on the Terrace of the City Theatre and in the archaeological site Fonti di Pescaia. Benetti is one of the artists invited to give an artistic contribution to the project Moon Atlas - Homage to Johann Nepomuk Krieger at Villa Bazzoni, the Astronomical Observatory in Trieste. The infinite variants of the virtual and already realized moon sculptures are documented in the video The other face of the Moon, available in Italian and French version, and the recent work The Eclipse’s Lover dedicated to his first aerostatic balloon realised for the Chianti Observatory in San Donato. Soon Benetti’s videos will take part in the Festival of Astronomy in Ifrane, Morocco. In 2015 Benetti will collaborate in an innovative moon show at the Botanic Garden for the “Expo in Città” in Milan.

See his work here:youtu.be/mf1mThpj84s

MOON ALCHEMIST MAURO BENETTIby Beth Vermeer, Design of the Universe Photo by Mauro Benetti

Artist Mauro Benetti's unique moon sculptures are dotting the Italian landscape, most recently in collaboration with the Chianti Observatory and the city of Siena.

NEWSLETTER

5

AUGUST 2014

Home to sunflower fields and sprawling countryside, the Tuscany region is known for its many wineries. Visitors from all around the world flock to Tuscany to try the Chianti, Brunello, Vin Santo wines, and more.

The wine tasting experience usually involves pairing food with wine, but new ways to experience wine are becoming more and more popular. Camilla Carrega, a local winemaker, recently attended a unique event in nearby Fiesole. In Fiesole’s roman theater, Camilla was invited to

“listen to wine and taste music”. For every pairing, musician Federico Maria Sardelli and wine consultant Mario Coda Nunziante described the characteristics of each wine and music piece in order to objectively explain why these ingredients were chosen. Guests were then able to taste the wine while listening to music and discuss their own subjective interpretations. The event showcased how wine is more than just a beverage; wine is an instrument to share and appreciate culture. Pairing wine with different activities is a subjective experience where the user can creative in what senses are being utilized. Camilla suggests paying attention to the color, smell, and taste of wine, and applying those visual, olfactory, and gustatory senses to other experiences as well. In viewing artist exhibitions, for example, focus on the colors used by the artist or the shapes formed in the painting to get a true sensory experience.

INVOKING THE SENSES: WINE PAIRINGS OF A DIFFERENT NATURE Photo courtesy of Camilla Carrega

Here are a few pairing suggestions to get you started:

Artist

Rosso Fiorentino

Jackson Pollock

Frida Kahlo

Andy Warhol

Ganzo Exhibitions

Wine

Chianti Classico

Full bodied IGT Toscana reds

100% Sangiovese wines

Moscato

Young IGT Toscana reds

by Joyce Jih

6

A FOOD WRITER'S TALE: APICIUS ALUM PROFILEby Viktorija Todorovska Photo courtesy of the author

When I speak in public - and these days I do it a lot - whether it is a book presentation, a wine tasting or professional wine education, someone will ask me how I got where I am.

My audience can see my passion and working in food and wine seems like a dream. So, how did I get here? The answer is complicated and yet simple. It all started at Apicius in Florence in 2006. For years I worked in the corporate world and dreamt about professional cooking, watched cooking shows and cooked for my friends every chance I got. In the summer of 2006, I was finally in a professional culinary school: burners on full blast, sharp knives finely chopping onions under the watchful eyes of the Chef, the mad adrenaline rush of trying to finish three dishes in two hours before the tasting and critique. Every day that summer, I couldn’t wait to get to class, my brain buzzing with the new information, my arms barely recovered from wielding heavy pans the previous day and yet ready to do it again. And every day, a new world slowly revealed itself, making me

realize how much I still had to learn. I returned to Apicius the following summer to take more advanced classes. I was a veteran now, I knew where things were kept, I knew the procedures. And there was still so much to learn. The summer before, I had studied professional cooking techniques, regional Italian cuisine and Italian pastry. Now I was delving deeper into the history of Italian cuisine, discovering the secrets of some of my favorite dishes, learning how to modernize others that have existed since the 12th century. My first summer at Apicius, the instructor for Regional Cuisine boldly announced that Puglia (a region in Southern Italy, the heel of the boot) has the best food. The instructor is Tuscan, a population supremely proud of their own cooking, so this was a shocking statement. I was intrigued. I had traveled to Central and Northern Italy many times, but now the South took residence in my imagination. The next year, under a blazing Southern sun, I confirmed what she had said: Puglia has the most wonderful food. It was love at first sight. I sought out Puglian grandmothers, pestering them with endless questions about the dishes

they had been making since they were kids. They wondered why an American would be so interested in their food. They knew their dishes were good (great really), but they kept saying, “It’s simple.” And this is exactly what I was fascinated with: simple, yet delicious food, full of flavor and also good for the body. Two years later, I had a cookbook on Puglia, to this day one of my favorite places to visit. Every time I talk about Puglia or meet someone who has my cookbook, I am amazed at the difference good food makes in people’s lives. It nourishes us, but it also helps us connect to family and friends, share experiences, create memories. My passion for lesser known regions of Italy took me to Sardinia next. As I explored the sandy beaches and impassable mountains of this magical island, I learned about its people and history. Sardinian food was born out of history: whether it’s pane carasau, the famous bread of the shepherds, or panadas, every dish tells a story that goes back centuries. And I relished sharing these stories with my readers.Of course, Italian food is inseparable from wine, a drink steeped in history, that continues to capture the modern drinker. Nothing gives me more pleasure than the look on my audience’s faces when they taste orecchiette with broccoli next to a Salice Salentino and discover the perfect marriage of flavor and texture. The spark in their eyes tells me I have started a passion they will pursue for a long time. As I continue to explore the foods and wines of the Mediterranean, writing about Provence, Nice, and even my native Macedonia, I carry many great memories of those summers in Florence, when my dream became my lifelong passion.

NEWSLETTER

7

AUGUST 2014

Photo by the author

THE BEAUTY OF TRAVELby Christine Hsu

“You do not like them. So you say. Try them! Try them! And you may. Try them and you may I say.” - “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss

We take courage to travel, but at the same time, travel gives us courage. When traveling, we always want to explore and try new things. Even in moments when we don’t want to step out our comfort zones, we are forced to such exposure, especially when traveling abroad. In Florence, I have experienced so many firsts, which is amazing for a stern girl like me who rarely experiments but tends to follow her own standards.For example, I actually appreciate getting lost and the experience of walking cluelessly in a destination-less direction. Without the hustle I can absorb everything with my five senses. I also had my first cup of coffee in Florence, which may seem ridiculous at this age, but I was the type of person who would politely

decline rather than embrace the new chances or changes in life. However, telling myself to have no regrets about my experience in Florence, I have become more flexible and open-minded.As George Bernard Shaw put it, “Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” I have been finding myself for a long time. I know myself well. Nevertheless, it’s time for me to stop defining myself and start creating all the new opportunities and potential for personal growth. Through my days in Florence, I have experienced so many new things and have fallen in love with them - I would have never discovered that part of myself if I had never attempted it. For me, this is the beauty of travel.

THE ROMAN COLOSSEUM: THE ROOTS OF THE MODERN ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS by Christine Hsu

I was impressed and awed by The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, and the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City.

However, I was speechless and stunned by the magnificent, grand Colosseum. What truly amazed me was not just the glorious stories of the gladiators, but discovering how

the Roman Colosseum was run in ways that were the precursor’s of contemporary entertainment business. Through Antonella, our wonderful tour guide of the FUA-EFT excursion to Rome, I was astonished by how intelligently the Romans used the Colosseum as a profitable form of entertainment similar to our commercialized world today. For example, the Colosseum included shops and stores for food, souvenirs, gambling, and even

Photo by the author

8

FASHION

ARTISTIC ACCESSORIES: STEFANIA ALBAby Mia Badham

The world of art and fashion accessories collide in the creations of Stefania Albainspired by artist Andrea Mancini, introduced in the art section’s studio visit article.

Photos by Melissa Kreider

cushions for people who wanted to sit more comfortably during spectacles and shows. In addition, they arranged the show in a specific way (such as from animal fights to execution and gladiatorial combats) in order to prolong the audience’s desire to stay and thus profit from increased spending. Moreover, the

Roman emperor was scrupulous enough to even collect buckets of urine and sell them as laundry detergent. (The ammonia in urine was used as disinfectant.)Standing in the Colosseum in the midst of the many tourists, I could imagine the roar of the crowd and the busy business taking

place during Rome’s imperial days. The Roman Colosseum was so much more than a great work of architecture and exciting gladiatorial contests; it was also an astute entertainment business, which is not so different from the entertainment industry as we experience it today.

See Andrea Mancini article in the Art section for address.

Stefania Alba looks for interesting compositions and patterns in artwork and she brings them into a new dimension. Alba uses the technique called rollover printing to transfer the images of paintings by Andrea Mancini (see art section) and other artists onto bags, scarves, shirts, pillows, even chairs.Contemporary art becomes a practical accessory. If you admire the art but perhaps aren’t able to purchase the

physical work, thanks to Stefania you can acquire a small piece of it to carry with you always. Her idea makes it possible to attract fashion lovers as well as art fanatics. When you walk by the shop, your eye is immediately drawn to the shirts hanging in the window. Anyone, male or female, can wear one of the scarves or bags that almost always spark conversation. I couldn't help but purchase a book bag adorned with one of Mancini's book paintings.

NEWSLETTER

9

AUGUST 2014

COURSE NEWS

PRODUCT DESIGN: FUNCTION, EMOTION, AND COMMUNICATION Photo courtesy of Andressa Bavaresco

Product Design students learn to create low-complexity objects. However, even the simplest design is complicated and symbolizes a deeper message.

We use products all the time in our daily lives, and even when we already have more than enough of what we need, we still want something new: new phones, new shoes, new cars, new furniture designs, etc. Why? The reason could be the new products have better functions and features, but really, it’s because we simply want NEW products that is trendy. This is the art of product design – to create new desire and the necessity to own an object. Although the functions may be the same, different designs of the same product arouse different emotions in consumers. The Product Design course explains not only the differences between the functional and the emotional elements of the

products, but also the importance of observation and communication. Product Design students are free to explore different materials and technologies, and create low-complexity (usually with one material and easy to build), three-dimensional objects with their own innovative styles. While the creativity in design is important, the course also emphasizes on the basic training: research and technical drawings. Through these practices, the students learn to observe and represent details of the objects, the process of turning ideas into real products. In addition, the course fully prepares the students for their future careers by a strong emphasis on research and analysis.Professor Giulio Vinci, one of the course instructors for Summer 2014, stressed, “Students must understand the market… This is important for professionals working in the field: to always know what is new in the market.” Students are asked to research and analyze well-known designers, companies, and their different

by Christine Hsu

10

styles. The goal of the course is for students to become “sensibilize” or sensitize, and learn to observe the communication between the consumers, designers, and companies. Moreover, the object itself is also a means of communication. Professor Leonardo Rossano noted, “Objects communicate… Design is like media.” Each object itself represents a message, and the students learn to examine the meanings of the object.One of the students, Alaina Baver said, “Sounds silly, but I learned ‘to see.’ß” Through intensive sketching in class, she learned to see the details of an object: “Not only how it works but also how it gets together… In the industry, you must understand to see.” Besides

observation, Abraham Inzunza said he learned to appreciate the little things that people pay no attention to. “Even simple things are complicated.” He thinks it is very interesting to learn about the history of different products that we take for granted, such as the invention of chairs. “We just never think about it.”As Professor Giulio said, “Products are everywhere and everything.” Product design is a very wide field, and the course covers the essential elements (function, emotion, communication, etc.) that allow you to see the big picture of the industry. However, at the same time, it teaches you to understand and appreciate the simplest things of life. It teaches you to see differently.

Exhibition in the Corridoio FiorentinoProduct Design final projectspresented on July 18, 2014.

Photos courtesy of Giulio Vinci

NEWSLETTER

11

AUGUST 2014

EXPLORE AND INTEGRATE:TOP SLD SEPTEMBER ACTIVITIES

Here are some of the most exciting activities to not miss out on for September 2014:

Sept. 1 - Community Outreach, 8:45pmMake an impact during your stay in Florence! Community Outreach invites motivated individuals to the program presentation at FUA, Corso Tintori 21. During the meeting, more information will be provided regarding the community service and volunteer opportunities. The experience will not only inspire you to become a better global citizen, but also facilitate your personal growth.

Sept. 1 - Italian Family Club, 9:30pmMiss the chance to live with a host family? No worries! Join the Italian Family Club program presentation and be “adopted” by a Florentine family. Enhance your study abroad experience, participate in a different lifestyle, and create connections with the local community. This is a once in a lifetime experience!

Sept. 5 - Self-Defense SeminarThis seminar not only prepares the students to be physically aware but also mentally aware of the

surroundings and cultural difference. Come and learn about Italian customs and how to prevent an unconscious miscommunication: a friendly smile to strangers on the street may be an invitation to them to approach you!

Sept. 8 - Chat PalWant to enhance your Italian language skills? Join the Chat Pal program presentation at 8:45pm FUA, Corso Tintori 21! The best way to learn a language is through consistent practice, and besides, what better way to immerse yourself in a culture than connecting with a local?

Sept. 15 - Italian Lecture/Film SeriesFor students who want to maximize their learning opportunities and experience and for those who simply wants to enjoy a film, Italian Lecture/Film Series helps expand your understanding of the Italian culture and language. Meet at sQuola, Via dell’Oriuolo, 43 at 6:30pm.

For further information, please contact sld-studentservices@fua.it

Photo courtesy ofFlorence University of the Arts

STUDENT LIFE

by Christine Hsu

In the upcoming fall semester, the Student Life and Development department presents a series of exploratory and cultural events to help students better adjust and enjoy their stay in Florence.

www.palazziflorence.comwww.fua.it

BLENDING NEWSLETTER

Supplemento di /

Supplement to Blending Magazine

Reg. Trib. di Firenze n° 5844 del 29 luglio 2011

Anno 4 – Numero 5 - Agosto 2014

Year 4 - Issue 5 - August 2014

Editore / Publisher

Florence Campus per INGORDA Editore

Via Alfonso La Mamora, 39

50121 Firenze

Sede editoriale /

Editorial Headquarters

Corso Tintori, 21

50121 Firenze

Tel. 055-0332745

Stampato in proprio /

Printed in house

REDAZIONE / MASTHEAD

Direttore Responsabile /

Editor in chief

Matteo Brogi

Caporedattore /

Editorial Director

Grace Joh

Coordinamento Editoriale /

Managing Editor

Federico Cagnucci

Redazione testi / Copy Editor

Christine Hsu

Progetto grafi co e impaginazione /

Graphic Design and Page Layout

Federico Cagnucci & Alberto Simoncioni

Redazione fotografi ca /

Photo Editors

Federico Cagnucci & Alberto Simoncioni

Blending is a newsletter created

with and for students of Florence

University of the Arts, the academic

member of Palazzi FAIE.

Th e newsletter collaborates with

the Student Life Department and

Development Offi ce.

For information contact:

blending@palazzifl orence.com.