Three Days in Florence: Art, Architecture, and Graffiti

Duomo

In addition to beautiful jewelry and clothing, I also took in much art and architecture and a little bit of graffiti. My visit to the Uffizi Gallery proved inspiring. The fact that it took a mere 30 minutes to get in (I was told to be prepared for a long line) and the crowd inside was at what seemed a minimum (I was also told it can be mobbed inside) set the tone. I spent the most time with Botticelli (Birth of Venus and Primavera...huge sigh.) but also visited, Madonna with the Long Neck by Parmigianino twice. It is one of my all-time favorites! The Mannerist style really made an impression on me years ago in my survey of art history class and I have never forgotten this piece. I did not remember that it lives at the Uffizi, though, and was a very happily surprised when it greeted me as I walked into the room.

Madonna with the Long Neck by Parmigianino

religious icons get me again and again, especially images of Mary, like this one at Santa Croce

When I visit a new place I tend to go inside as many churches as I can. The Basilica di Santa Croce, completed in 1385, is pretty incredible. It is vast and extravagant and has beautiful streaming light. It is also the home of the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo, among other Italian greats. Although, I chose to not go inside the famous Duomo, I did spend a lot of time studying the exterior and the dome (top picture).

from Murder Mystery Series by Cindy Sherman

Also on display at the Gucci Museum, which I wrote about yesterday, was an exhibition of early works by Cindy Sherman in the museum's contemporary art space. I have seen very little of her photography in person, especially her earlier pieces, so it was wonderful to spend time with her work. She is truly a master of gesture and detail.

Unfortunately, I did not find a whole lot of graffiti or street art on my long walks around Florence, but I did find this wheatpaste that I really like.

David at Accademia Gallery

Finally, I got to see David which was simply awesome. He is so life-like (there are veins in his arms and legs!) and I expected him to started breathing or just walk away. Incredible. Enough said.

More photos on Facebook and Flickr.

Thanks for reading.

Three Days in Florence: Jewelry and Clothing

diamond necklace at The Silver Museum, 1850, Palazzo Pitti

The rest of my time in Florence was filled with museums and wandering, my two favorite things to do while traveling. Here are my jewelry and clothing favorites:

display of seed pearl jewelry at The Silver Musem, Palazzo Pitti

The Silver Museum has a small but excellent collection of historical jewelry, including pieces once belonging to Marie d'Medici. It also includes a contemporary collection of Italian jewelers like Giovanni Corvaja and Stefano Marchetti. I was especially interested in the 17th century seed pearl pieces--intricate, complex, and delicate designs with individually sewn pearls. I was also fascinated by the collection of carved ivory and the amber reliquaries. 

The Palazzo Pitti also hosts a wonderful Costume Gallery. It includes both antique and contemporary examples and pairs many of them together so you can see the similarities that have been repeated and reinvented over time. These sleeves on a dress by Roberto Cappucci really caught my attention.

16th century burial dress of Eleanor of Toledo at Palazzo Pitti Costume Gallery 

One of the most interesting exhibitions I have ever seen included the burial clothing of Grand Duke Cosimo d'Medici, Eleanor of Toledo, and her son Don Garza. Their garments were removed some years ago and painstakingly reconstructed. The fabrics are stained and in tatters, but reveal a great deal in the hidden details. They even appear like maps, spread out in each display with drawings to fill-in the "gaps" where fabric no longer exists.

Instant Saint by Manfred Bischoff

I visited Antonella Villanova, a contemporary jewelry and art gallery. I got to see work by Flora Vagi, Kiki Smith, and Manfred Bischoff. There were drawer after drawer of pieces to see:

The "Flora World" display at Museo Gucci--the square designs hanging in the back are original illustrations by Vittorio Accornero 

Doris Maninger from Alchimia suggested I go to the Gucci Museum which I didn't even know about and was grateful for the recommendation. The museum tells the story of Gucci with gorgeous examples of clothing and accessories and objects for the home. 

More pictures on Facebook and Flickr.

Thanks for reading.

Three Days in Florence: Alchimia

waiting for the lecture to begin

I spent three days in lovely Florence last weekend. On Friday I gave a lecture at Alchimia: Contemporary Jewelry School. My talk was a basic over view of my process and work from Line Drawings to my most current work, "Observation/Translation." The talk felt good and as I spoke and looked around the room at my audience, students seemed engaged as they nodded and smiled back at me. I answered a few questions at the end and then did just a few one-on-ones. I also enjoyed lunch with Doris Maninger, one of the school's founders, a real pleasure.

Chiara Cavallo with her work

Lucy Clark with her work at her bench 

(Lucy is also a friend of mine from Penland! It was so great to see her!)

a brooch by Doris Maninger

Tomorrow I will tell you about the interesting things I saw as I wandered.

Thanks for reading.