BREAKING NEWS ISSUE 1 - YEAR 3 | PALAZZI/FUA | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2013 NEWSLETTER The upcoming elections in Italy, scheduled for February 24 and 25, will determine the Italian Chamber of Deputies and Senate, and ultimately the Prime Minister of the country. The strongest three candidates, Pier Luigi Bersani, Silvio Berlusconi, and current Prime Minister, Mario Monti, are no new faces to Italian politics, however important novelties have developed around the current round of elections thanks to the evolution of technology. Social media election coverage by journalists and media experts, as well as a high increase in campaigning through digital media, have brought about a noteworthy change in the landscape of Italian politics. Here are just a few of the many sites and media tools to check out (In Italian): The first social media site dedicated to following Italian election candidates and campaigns in real time can be viewed at http://www.italia2013. me/. Italian readers may find all candidates’ Twitter accounts gathered at www.twitantonio. it/, while http://polismeter. it/ monitors web mentions of political candidates and parties. ELECTION TIME IN ITALY by Blending Staff & Lucia Giardino GAETANO CUNSOLO, Una volta un tizio mi ha detto che si vedeva chi della mia generazione non aveva fatto il militare…, mixed media, cm 20x30, 2013. [Someone once told me that it was evident that my generation hadn’t been in the army.] Image courtesy of the exhibition La Mala Educatión. Almost as a commentary to the contemporary Italian political culture in this critical moment of the upcoming elections, a new art exhibition based on politics will open on February 21 at the Galleria Biagiotti in Florence. La Mala Educatión, curated by Pietro Gaglianò, features young artists who were teenagers during the 1990s when Silvio Berlusconi was first elected as Prime Minister (1994). The concept of this exhibition is that these artists have developed a “bad” (mala), yet necessary “behavior” (educatión), in order to contrast the “bad behavior” inspired by the conformism of Berlusconi’s era. Blending asked Gaglianò a few questions before the opening of La Mala Educatión: What kind of relevance might this exhibition have in relationship to the upcoming elections? e exhibition poses questions on the moral education of a generation who grew up during the so called era of Berlusconism. erefore, it proposes a critical point of view on this social culture, also considering the Italian historic political tradition from Gramsci to Pasolini. I do not know if it will influence the elections, but I hope so. Do you think art plays a role in creating political consciousness? Of course it plays a role; it also creates meanings. Art is politcs, but it must be declared.
ELECTION TIME IN ITALY by Blending Staff & Lucia Giardino
GAETANO CUNSOLO, Una volta un tizio mi ha detto che si vedeva chi della mia generazione non aveva fatto il militare…, mixed media, cm 20x30, 2013. [Someone once told me that it was evident that my generation hadn’t been in the army.]
Image courtesy of the exhibition La Mala Educatión.
Almost as a commentary to the
contemporary Italian political
culture in this critical moment
of the upcoming elections, a new
art exhibition based on politics
will open on February 21 at the
Galleria Biagiotti in Florence. La
Mala Educatión, curated by Pietro
Gaglianò, features young artists
who were teenagers during the
1990s when Silvio Berlusconi
was first elected as Prime
Minister (1994). The concept
of this exhibition is that these
artists have developed a “bad”
(mala), yet necessary “behavior”
(educatión), in order to contrast
the “bad behavior” inspired by the
conformism of Berlusconi’s era.
Blending asked Gaglianò a few
questions before the opening of
La Mala Educatión:
What kind of relevance might this
exhibition have in relationship to the
upcoming elections?
The exhibition poses questions on
the moral education of a generation
who grew up during the so called
era of Berlusconism. Therefore, it
proposes a critical point of view on
this social culture, also considering
the Italian historic political
tradition from Gramsci to Pasolini.
I do not know if it will influence the
elections, but I hope so.
Do you think art plays a role in
creating political consciousness?
Of course it plays a role; it also
creates meanings. Art is politcs,
but it must be declared.
BLENDING
2
ART
BREAKING BOUNDARIES:RESIDENT ARTIST ERIC MISTRETTA by Lucy Edick
F_AIR and FUA School of Fine Arts
are more than lucky to have a not
only an authentic American living
in residence this semester, but a
true New Yorker. The New Yorker,
even in the eyes of an American, is
a blunt, innovative enthusiast who
loves to shake the status quo and
make their presence known in this
world. This almost sums up Eric
Mistretta. Eric was born in Queens,
New York and recently graduated
from the School of Visual Arts in
New York City in 2012. With his
school days behind him, F_AIR’s
artist in resident program seemed
like the perfect opportunity for him
transition into the life of an artist.
His job while he is here is to teach
a Mixed Media class at Florence
University of the Arts. Within the
classroom, his enthusiasm and
Eric Mistretta,Love Ain’t Never Die (YOLO), 2013,
Acrylic and pastel on tapestry, 55” x 62”, First work produced at F_AIR.
2013 begins a new season of F_AIR’s residency program
for international artists. The January through May
period welcomes the NYC-born Eric Mistretta as the
resident artist who will conclude his time at F_AIR with
a solo exhibition. Mistretta has exhibited at numerous
shows in the United States recently, including shows
at the Allegra Laviola Gallery, The Shirey, and Family
Business. When describing his practice, Mistretta said,
it “is heavily focused on appropriating items that already
exist and then introducing other foreign elements into
the equation. In doing so, the connotation typically
associated with the original object becomes confused
or corrupted, and the juxtaposition of materials and
previously existing implications forms a hybrid that
operates in an altered realm of understanding.”
F_AIR will also host a second international artist
during the same period. Victoria DeBlassie is currently
in Italy as a Fullbright scholar and is conducting a part
of her research at FUA. She is working on a project with
the Polo Conciario in the Tuscan town of Santa Croce
sull’Arno. The project is a study of works performed on
vegetable leather with orange peels.
Both artists will be involved in special art projects
at F_AIR and will interact with FUA’s School of Fine
Arts’ students and faculty members. Mistretta’s solo
show opening is scheduled for April 30. DeBlassie will
be holding a micro-exhibition from May 28 to June 14
at F_AIR. Prior to the May show, there will be an April
8 exhibition at FLY, the fashion store of FUA’s fashion
and accessories school, FAST, featuring a special project
created with FUA School of Fine Arts’ ceramics students.
Further information on the artists please visit their websites:ericmistretta.com - www.victoriadeblassie.com
F_AIR WELCOMESTWO ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE by Blending Staff
NEWSLETTER
3
FEB_MAR 2013
charismatic personality is contagious and inspiring
to his students. Not only are his assignments in class
enticing, but his works in progress within his studio
are riveting as well. Eric has a set-up that is unusual to
most artists’ living facilities; His apartment and studio
are both within the FUA building. This combination
of a home and a job in one space unquestionably blurs
the line between working and living. Living within the
proximity of his work almost forces him to constantly
be creating due to the constant presence of his projects.
Eric’s zest for art and his own personal persistent work
ethic inspire his students without the physicality of
verbalizing diligence. His constant encouragement of
individuality gives his students a refreshing sense of
freedom within the classroom.On top of his already
impressive schedule, Eric is preparing for a solo
exhibition in the F_AIR Gallery opening on April 30th.
He also finds time to collaborate with local artists and
is in the process of exploring the possibility of doing
projects with them. Needless to say, Eric Mistretta is a
young, idealized professor and is a wonderful addition
to the F_AIR-FUA team.
Blending’s next issue will feature a special focus on F_AIR’s second
resident, Victoria DeBlassie.
Lucy Edick is a student from the University of Alabama and she is
currently attending courses at FUA’s School of Fine Arts, including
Mixed Media, taught by Artist in Residence Eric Mistretta.
ARTIST ZOÈ GRUNI HEADS TO BRAZIL by Blending Staff
On February 2013, Zoè Gruni
unveiled a new video project in
Florence, the capital of her home
region of Tuscany, as a significant
starting point for the video’s
journey to Brazil. The video’s title
La Merica refers to the experience
of immigration and draws upon
references from Maremma
(southern Tuscany) from where
many immigrants moved to Brazil
(recipient of Italian immigration).
The video displays a split screen
featuring on one side images of a
lush Brazilian jungle, and on the
other side a mythical creature,
resplendent and shimmering,
marked by a pronounced beak
and Zoè’s unmistakable eyes.
The Florence presentation of the
video marks the beginning of
yet another Brazilian chapter for
Zoè, who previously spent several
months there, and will return for
a residency program as well as to
begin Brazilian exposure to La
Merica and other projects. Zoè is
no stranger to projects connecting
distant lands: in 2011 her Jackalope
project, in which FUA Travel
Writing students were involved, was
carried out long-distance between
the artist in California and her
American counterparts at F_AIR -
Florence Artist in Residence, where
she would exhibit the project. We
recently caught up with Zoè here in
Italy and not only did she share her
insights on the new video but she
also revealed that Boitatà, a new
Jackalope-esque figure deriving
from local folklore, is in store for
the streets of her new destination.
Zoè, you have mentioned that
the video expresses a more inner,
personal phase of your art. How is
this expressed in La Merica?
I became a nomad a few years ago
and every day I fight against the
sense of loss and discomfort of
being an immigrant. When I left
California and I arrived in Brazil,
I thought that the best way to
exorcise this personal yet universal
fear might be a project on the theme
of migration. I reflected upon the
issues of immigration, identity
and interaction between cultures.
My work intends to mix cultural
elements linked to the collective
memory, local and global symbols
Zoè Gruni, Boitatà_2, 2013, charcoal on paper, 70x100cm. Courtesy of Zoè Gruni.
BLENDING
4
of the cultural identity. Starting
from my personal experience as an
immigrant, I would like to face the
global condition and to reflect upon
the universal fear of “the different.”
The video La Merica , born in 2012
in Rio de Janeiro, is the first step of
my upcoming project Nomad.
Where are you holding your artist’s
residency in Brazil and what does the
project(s) entail?
I will participate in the artist
in residency program at FAAP
University in San Paolo to develop
my new project Nomad to convey
my experiences to the students
and professors at the Foundation.
From the archive of the Museum
Paolo Cresci for the History of the
Italian Emigration of Lucca in Italy,
I’m recovering old stories, texts,
songs, objects and images of Italian
immigrants in the after war. I would
like to create a similar research in
San Paolo to realize a multimedia
project with performance, video,
photography, sculpture, drawings…
Can you share any preview hints on
Boitatà, the next figure to roam the
local landscapes in Brazil similar to
the Jackalope’s journeys in California?
After a first phase of study on the
social context of San Paolo I intend
to build a relational project with a
similar structure to Urban Jackalope
(California, U.S. 2010-2012) that
can be viewed at http://www.
zoegruni.net/Book.html.
I would like to involve in the project
the people that I will meet in town,
thus the development of the idea
depends on the real encounter with
them. The first phase of the project
will be developed through a series
of performances in the city streets
and the new character will be called
“Boitatà.”
To find out more about Zoè’s past and
current work as well as upcoming projects,
please visit www.zoegruni.net.
F_AIR’S CONTEMPORARY ART MARATHON IN BOLOGNAby Lucia Giardino
The weekend prior to the semester, the two artists in
residence at F_AIR, Victoria De Blassie and Eric
Mistretta, and myself, Lucia Giardino, headed to Bolo-
gna to visit Artefiera and the collateral art events tak-
ing place in capital city of Emilia Romagna. It was a nice
way to get to know each other and to familiarize with
the contemporary art scene in Italy.
Artefiera takes place every year, at the end of January.
It is a large, must event for art addicts, though the 2013
edition was more low-key due to the general recession,
which has visibly impacted the art world as well. This
year, in fact, Artefiera occupied the ground floor, in-
stead of two stories, only of the immense convention
venue in piazza della Costituzione in Bologna. There-
fore several art galleries preferred to stay home instead
of participating in the oldest Italian vanity fair. Yet we
did not regret our trip, which gave us the chance to ad-
mire in person many classics (Eric and Victoria discov-
ered the Italian movement Arte Povera, and of course
the fame-inflated masters Burri and Fontana), plus a
variety of brand new emerging artists such as Alessan-
dro Brighetti (born 1978). A Bologna native, Brighetti
likes to merge aesthetics with medical and pseudo-sci-
entific research: his disquieting sculptures are mostly
black human organs animated with fluid growth, gen-
erated by electromagnetic stimulation.
Andrea Salvatori (born 1975) is not exactly among the
“emerging artists,” since he is well established in Italy
and has exhibited abroad as well thanks to his itiner-
ant gallery THE POOL NYC. Yet we can still admire his
Alessandro Brighetti,Skizophrenia, 2012
resin, liquid iron, neodymium magnet,
electrification mecchanism,170 x 30 x 30 cm,
(source: http://www.1fmediaproject.
net/2012/05/24/roma-the-road-to-
contemporary-art-2012/)
Andrea Salvatori,No Title (mountain box), 2013,
ceramic, 70 x 80 x 80 cm(Courtesy of the artist)
NEWSLETTER
5
FEB_MAR 2013
work as humorous, gimmicky, and
not at all boring. Salvatori brought a
fresh air to the tiring strolls around
the Artefiera booths. We are hon-
ored to announce that his work will
soon show at the F_AIR gallery on
February 26th.
After the over-lit and steaming hot
Artefiera pavilion, we explored the
parallel art events in town. The most
relevant was StartUp, a counter-fair
and huge art exhibition including
talks and performances that opened
at 6.00 PM every day after Artefiera’s
closing hours. The location? A for-
mer bus deposit, nearby the railway
station. Other noteworthy events
included the performance Il Giudizio
delle Ladre by Luigi Presicce (watch
out for him at the April 5th Arty Fri-
day at F_AIR); the extremely touch-
ing and discrete solo show dedicated
to Bas Jan Ader curated by Javier
Hontoria at Villa delle Rose, this illu-
minating retrospective is an homage
to the very inspiring Dutch concep-
tual artist who died in mysterious cir-
cumstances during a trip taken with
a small sailing boat. And last but not
least, an exhibition of unconvention-
al self-portraits at Casabianca, a very
friendly space in the countryside just
outside Bologna. The exhibition fea-
tured works by Alessandra Andri-
ni, Luca Bertolo, Chiara Camoni,
and Fabrizio Prevedello. This was
by far the most relaxing event of the
3-day art marathon. We left behind
our attitudes (a must when deal-
ing with certain art circles) and we
chilled out to regain our normality.
The works at Casabianca were as sin-
cere as the smiles of people who visit-
ed the opening: mostly “conceptual”
self-portraits, yet extremely reveal-
ing of the artists’ being (for instance
Chiara Camoni’s films of her dog, or
the mix between strength, fragility,
obsolescence, and balance of Fabrizio
Prevedello’s sculpture).
The Bologna weekend was full of
inspiration for the Spring 2013 semester.
Stay tuned for F_AIR’s upcoming Arty
Fridays and exhibitions. Follow us at fair.
palazziflorence.com.
Fabrizio Prevedello,Self Portrait, 2013,
concrete, iron, glass,cm 167x77x68,
(Courtesy of Casabianca)
FOOD & WINE
Spring Semester 2013 begins with a premise that will be
remembered in the future for an incredibly unique proj-
ect and collaboration that FUA specifically has been able
to start through its hospitality school Apicius, with the
collaboration of the prestigious and renown Capannelle
Wine Resort. Situated in the heart of the Gaiole in Chianti
hillside, surrounded by typically Tuscan vineyards and
cypress trees, the Capannelle winery has become one of
the most interesting producers on the Italian wine scene
and market since 1975. The collaboration between Apicius
and Capannelle will witness different elements and re-
alities coming together. This semester, six Apicius classes
tri, and Gorgona. For each issue of the newsletter and
the semester’s-end magazine, we will be sharing an
insider’s perspective from Dr. Aurora Ciardelli, the
administration’s Director of Communications.
The focus of this issue is Elba, the largest island of the
archipelago and the third-largest in Italy. It is by far the
most inhabited of the islands, with its approximately
30,000 residents and 8 recognized towns under the
provincial jurisdiction of Livorno. A long-time summer
retreat for Italians, Elba offers not only an extremely
diverse coastline of promontories and bays, though
the sea is the immediate attraction for most visitors.
The inland areas are teeming with micro-climates and
unique wildlife that should not be missed. In fact, as
Dr. Ciardelli shares, “I highly encourage visits outside
of the high peak periods of July and August. May and
TUSCAN ARCHIPELAGO SERIES_ELBAby Blending Staff
June are more indicated to fully enjoy the natural trails
and the macchia mediterranea,” referring to the “spots”
of shrubland typically of the Mediterranean. Some ad-
ditional tips when visiting:
- Out of the many park trails, a few in particular of-
fer stunning viewpoints of the other islands. From the
highest peak, Monte Capanne, the entire archipelago
can be viewed. Or along the mining trail, Montecristo
seems like a stone’s throw away.
- The Ente’s headquarters at the Enfola promontory are
located in a former traditional tuna butchering facility,
where the fish used to massacred prior to the adminis-
tration’s takeover of the building. An important sym-
bol of local history and the current mission to protect
the archipelago’s natural species.
- A special trail has been created to allow visitor access
to the butterfly sanctuary at Monte Perone, a high-
altitude point of the island. For lucky visitors, once a
year in the second half of April, the rare and protected
butterfly species Zerynthia polyxena appears for a very
brief period.
And finally, the yearly Walking Festival offers free,
themed, and professionally guided itineraries through-
out the Archipelago. 2013 dates: April 13 - May 5 and
Oct 19 - Nov 3. See www.tuscanywalkingfestival.it.
For more information on visiting please visit www.islepark.it
and stay tuned for upcoming coverage of the other islands!
Elba Island, Courtesy of the Ente Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano
NEWSLETTER
9
FEB_MAR 2013
I’ve saved this moment as my last Florentine experience and can’t believe in another hour it will all be over. As I climb to the top of the Duomo, the most incredible landmark I have been lucky to live less than a half mile from, I think of all the experiences I have had since touching down in Italy four months ago. I explored over thirty Italian cities and towns, eaten world-class meals and began to understand the life of the Florentine.
I can’t believe how much time has
passed since this trip.
January 20, 2013 marked two years
since leaving for Florence. On the
same day in 2012, I left for Califor-
nia State University of Monterey
Bay, a trip 3,000 miles from my
STUDENT VOICE
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT ON KELLY CRAIG
home school in New Jersey, and a
Florentine inspired it all.
While sipping cappuccino overlook-
ing the Duomo, my Italian language
partner and I discussed Ameri-
can students studying in Florence.
“American students come all the
way to Italy but have never seen
the other side of their own coun-
try,” my language partner said. I
saw the truth in this and decided
to travel through the National
Student Exchange, a program that
over 100 colleges and universities
throughout the United States, Can-
ada, Guam, the Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico participate in. I stud-
ied in California for two semesters
all because of a quick conversation
with a Florentine.
I have now graduated from col-
lege and have become an indepen-
dent social media manager. I have
landed my first account and hope
to acquire more accounts to create
my own social media marketing
firm. The courses I have taken at
FUA including social media and in-
troduction to mass communication
have given me a solid foundation to
turning this dream into a reality.
While the scene of sipping cappuc-
cino beneath the Duomo will al-
ways be in my mind, I have come
home with so much more than a
romanticized idea of Italy. Flor-
ence University of the Arts was an
important stepping-stone into my
post-graduate life as I developed
personally and professionally.
Lucky for me, I am able to continue
traveling, as my profession can be
done anywhere Wi-Fi can reach,
although it was hiking in Califor-
nia with my adventure sports class
when a wise professor pointed out,
“the greatest places in the world
don’t have Wi-Fi,” and I was left
with another piece of advice that I
know will shape my future.
SPEAK UP!by Leah Jordan
As study abroad students, we have made the decision to
come to Florence, subject ourselves to being outsiders,
and, ultimately, immerse ourselves in the rich culture
of the Florentines. A few weeks into our adventure now,
most of us have shaken off that initial culture shock,
and a few of us can even (occasionally) get around with-
out using a map. There might be nothing we can do to
change the fact that we physically appear to be foreign-
ers, but the first step in blending starts with speaking
Italian as much as possible. So what happens when you
try to speak, but the Italians you converse with realize
(rather quickly) that you’re a foreigner and choose to
speak English instead?
As a city that attracts millions of tourists each year,
not including the countless study abroad and Euro-
pean Erasmus students, many of Florence’s permanent
residents possess a considerable amount of English.
Enough, at least. Enough to cut you off while you’re
desperately trying to string words together to create an
Italian sentence. Or phrase. Or just any relevant word
to accompany the given situation.
Yet consider that just like you want to learn Italian,
they want to better their English. If a barista notices
that you could help aid broken conversation, he/she
will override your attempt with the familiar, interna-
tional tongue: English. In this situation, many of us
would breathe a sigh of relief and start speaking what
we know with ease. Avoid this temptation to the best of
your ability! It’s much easier to speak English, but you
won’t improve by giving up. A few tips to consider:
1. When walking into a shop, try offering phrases like
buongiorno or buonasera depending on the time of day.
Every time you leave a store or restaurant, be sure to say
grazie instead of “thank you.” It’s a small step, but you’ll
be surprised at how second-nature it becomes.
BLENDING
10
2. After the store-keeper in that very shop tries to re-
vert to English, keep speaking in Italian. Or keep try-
ing, at least.
3. Study your Italian notes from class and try to use
them in every-day situations.
Sono uno studente, come ti chiami, di dove sei, che cosa sig-
nifica and come si dice are all helpful phrases to commit
to memory.
4. Find a relatively empty cafe, restaurant, shop, etc.
in off-peak times and have a real conversation with
whoever is working. In all likelihood, they may have a
few minutes to spare to help you speak. They’ll prob-
ably find it mildly entertaining (at your expense), but it
wouldn’t be surprising if you found yourself with a cof-
fee or two on the house (at theirs). You can keep your
head in the books all day long, but it’s a proven fact
that your language skills will improve most effectively
by conversing directly with a native.
5. Ditch the headphones on the train/bus/plane ride
to wherever. Observing the conversations of others as
an independent third-party listener is definitely eaves-
dropping, but also a fun way to test yourself on how
much you are able understand.
FACULTY FOCUS
Is there a certain type of audience you
are reaching out to when you are creat-
ing a piece of work?
No, there’s no specific audience. I like
to make my art appealing and ap-
proachable to all people. Everyone
can find something they understand
or relate to.
We’ve noticed that many of your pieces
are either depicting nature or using nat-
ural materials, is there a reason for this?
I am very interested in incorpora-
tion nature into my art. I think na-
ture, art, and the body are all con-
nected. I have to feel something,
which makes my brain start to
INTERVIEW WITH FINE ARTS PROFESSOR VIRGINIA LOPEZby FUA Alumni Jessica Havard and Morgan Lee
Virginia Lopez teaches Fine Arts
courses at FUA.
Here she is interviewed by two
study abroad alumni,
Jessica Havard and Morgan Lee.
think, which then allows me to use
my hands to create it. I like to use
natural materials such as beeswax
to depict natural pieces such as hu-
man hands. I think feeling and al-
lowing your body to receive nature
is a big part in the artistic process.
You work with a variety of different ma-
terials. Do you begin a piece knowing
exactly what materials to use or do you
insert them as you go along?
I often change my mind many times
as I go along. I have an initial thought
but idea for new materials come into
my head that I think will be bet-
ter ideas for the piece. I usually just
make the decisions as I go along and
hope that it ends up well!
Do you prefer working with pictures or
video? Why?
Video is a new concept I began work-
ing with however I have to say that I
still prefer pictures and tangible art
more. I decided to do a video piece on
melting wax in an exhibit and wound
up taking it out in the end. I didn’t
have the hands on feel that I usually
have when creating a piece of work
and a lot of the elements were out of
my control, which I didn’t like. I hope
to try again with video sometime in
the near future.
Errare Humanum est
NEWSLETTER
11
FEB_MAR 2013
PUBLISHING PROFESSOR ISABELLA MARTINIby Kaitlyn Banaszynski
As I sat in the first day of
Public Relations, Communi-
cation and Marketing in the
Publishing Industry listening
to Isabella Martini introduce
herself, I couldn’t help but think of Julius Caesar’s
observation that “experience is the teacher of all
things.” Enlightening the class that we would soon
become exposed to the strategic approaches to suc-
cess in the publishing industry and in a professional
setting at large, Isabella’s experience on the subjects
as a former student, professor, and managing editor
and literary agent were immediately evident.
Before garnering her professional experience, Isabella
Embalajes#1 | Ephemeros as a globe
What inspired you to conduct a group performance
about being a reindeer for the day? What do you think
the group got out of it?
I worked with a theater group in Finland and came
up with a pretty obscure idea in which we would
pretend to be reindeer for a day. We had no maps
and no idea where we were in Finland and we could
only communicate using reindeer noises. We were
on regular streets dressed in regular clothes how-
ever we could only eat reindeer food. It was a very
interesting experience because we were communi-
cating with a group however only thinking within
our head. Whatever we were feeling or thinking
was kept internally which made it a unique indi-
vidual experience for each person
What made you decide to use applied materials such as
bees wax? Do you tend to do this in many of your pieces,
is there a particular reason?
Again this goes back to the theme of nature that
appears in all my work. I like to be able to not only
visualize my art but to feel it as well. I think that
materials and thoughts and creation are all connect-
ed through nature, which is why I think it is very
important to use natural materials in my work. I be-
lieve it is almost a sort of out of body thing in which
I am able to view myself as an artist by using nature
in my work.
amassed a significant background as a student herself.
She holds a BA in Foreign Languages and Literatures,
an MA in Translation of Literary Texts, post-graduate
knowledge of Translation of Post-colonial texts, and a
PhD in English Literature from the University of Pisa.
During the time she was still completing her MA and
PhD, Isabella actually began working with the Univer-
sity as an editorial consultant and managing editor.
Consequently, when reflecting back on her time not
as a teacher but student, “trying to always be moti-
vated, engaged, positive and curious in whatever you
will do and not forgetting to network...” is the advice
she feels strongest about leaving her students today.
These earlier involvements combine with her current
diverse professional backgrounds to create an enrich-
ing classroom experience for all of her students. In
addition to working as an instructor at FUA, Isabella
is a lecturer of English Translation at the Humanities
Faculty of the University of Cagliari, a managing edi-
tor and literary agent with Thesis Contents (focused
on textbook editorial management), a translator, ac-
quisition and managing editor for Felici Editore, and a
former English and French teacher in Italian second-
Do you feel that using different materials and ways of dis-
playing them (canvas pictures, videos, etc.) let you grow as
an artist? Explain.
Yes and no. I envy artists who are so brilliant at one
form of artwork that they can devote all their talent to
that specific forte. I also however really enjoy being able
to spread my creativity across all different realms of
art. It has let me grow because I can try out new meth-
ods and discover new things that I am good at.
Courtesy of Isabella Martini
BLENDING
12
ary schools. It is this unique repertoire of experience
that causes Isabella to not only teach to the topic of
her courses, but to how to act respectfully and appro-
priately in a professional setting too. “Working in a
domestic versus an international setting, I have to
deal with different cultures and try to avoid clashes
and misunderstands,” remarked Isabella.
In the future, Isabella hopes to continue teaching and
doing research at the University level. However, re-
gardless of where Isabella ends up, she hopes to con-
tinue to amass the experiences that make her such an
invaluable teacher.
FLORENCE, THE PLACE LOVED BY MANYAfter months of anticipation, I
successfully made the journey as
a naïve, suburbanite girl ready
to immerse myself in the stile di
vita all’ italiana. Instead of a Kate
Chopin-esque awakening, I think I
may have fallen in love for the first
time in my life. I suddenly have
FACES & PLACES
uncontrollable feelings toward a
piece of land with some buildings. I
am a googly eyed girl writing a love
letter to the city of Florence.
But my dear Firenze is admired
by many, perhaps too many! The
city has many admirers seduced
through charm and unpredictabili-
ty. As much as I would like to claim
being the one and only love of this
city, I know it belongs to a long line
of students, artists, philosophers,
soldiers, patrons, and all my other
predecessors who have walked the
same steps I have.
As these lovers come and go, I am
left wondering who exactly the
devoted husbands and wives of
Florence are. Who shares their
love with fleeting caresses of her
streets? Who are the people who
are truly married to this city?
by Maggy Kilroy
Courtesy of Maggy Kilroy
NEWSLETTER
13
FEB_MAR 2013
FACES OF THE VIAREGGIO CARNEVALEThe enormous, colorful, and hand-
crafted floats created by the city
of Viareggio’s artists have parad-
ed down the Tuscan beach town’s
streets since the 1800s. The parade
has become an internationally re-
nown event, at times it has been
at the center of discussion for its
dogged and “spare none” satire of
Italian politicians. Maggy Kilroy
offers two unique and contrasting
images of the Carnevale celebration
from public and private perspec-
tives: a shot taken during a peak
moment of the parade, another of
a more intimate moment in which
a family takes their masqueraded
child for a stroll on the beach.
Traveling while studying abroad is
an important part of the experi-
ence, but spending time in Flor-
ence and exploring your new com-
munity is an underrated part of the
experience as well. A great way to
get to know your host city better
is through direct contact with the
community, and what better way to
do this than through the Student
Life activities? One of the upcoming
opportunities to do this is through
the Connecting Cultures Chat Pal
program, which allows students to
learn more about their host com-
munity through direct contact with
a conversation exchange partner.
Language partners are expected to
meet for at least one hour, once a
week, and to divide the time equally
between Italian and the student’s
mother tongue.
Conversation Exchange partners
can meet at a time and place of their
own convenience. This is a great way
to make new friends in the commu-
nity, to discover new ways to pass
your time in Florence and to get
off the beaten path of the typical
study abroad experience. If you did
STUDENT LIFE
CULTURAL EXCHANGE IN FLORENCE & DISCOVERING ITALYby SLD Office
not make it to the Chat Pal general
meeting, please contact student ser-
vices for further information and an
application. The deadline to sign up
for the Chat Pal program is Monday,
February 25th.
Still looking for ways to immerse
yourself in the community and learn
more about the history of Florence?
Sign up for the upcoming Discover
Italy visits! One upcoming opportu-
nity to not miss out on is the visit
to the Historic Palazzo Medici Ric-
cardi on Friday, Feburary 22th. This
amazing palace, well regarded as the
prototype for Renaissance architec-
ture, with an unexpected courtyard
garden features Benozzo Gozzi’s
fresco The Procession of the Magi.
This palace also hosts temporary
exhibits, such as the current Dalì
Courtesy of Maggy Kilroy
Courtesy of SLD
BLENDING
14
SLD STAFF PICKSby Nicoletta Richardson
We’ve briefly interviewed SLD staff members for their unique perspectives of Florence.In this issue they offer two diverse suggestions for exploring cafes.
Jessica Volpe
When asked where the best place is for a student to get
away from the everyday city life of Florence, Italy, Volpe
suggested seeking out a literary cafe. Describing these
places to be an area where students can sit down and
have a nice space to study, Volpe mentioned one place
in particular called La Cite’ which is located on Borgo
San Frediano, in the Oltrarno. A must-go-to café in or-
der for students to get away from the touristy lifestyle!
Olimpia Bozza
Bozza expressed the need to go to a very fancy cafe
at least once while you’re in Florence to get the atmo-
spheric experience. If you sit at a table at one of these
expensive cafes, she said that there would be a charge
of an outrageous sum for just a coffee. However, drink-
ing the coffee standing at the bar drastically reduces
this price. With a coffee and a small pastry, students
soak in the atmosphere and get a short experience in
the same elegant setting. For constant updates on fes-
tivals and events going on around Florence, Bozza sug-
gests a very interesting website: Firenzeturismo.com.
Bozza said that when she herself has a day off, she al-
ways checks to see if something is going on. Divided by
art, music, theater, and food, this website makes it easy
for students to find something to do that is culturally
enhancing on a day they have off.
Universe Experience, an show dedicated entirely to the
artist Salvatore Dalì. If after your time exploring the
city you would like to experience life in the countryside,
don’t miss out on the trip to the Chianti region on Sun-
day, March 3rd to Montefioralle and Greve. Learn more
about the popular town of Greve and the beautiful bur-
row of Montefioralle, both in the Chianti Classico area,
and meet the owners of the Montefioralle vineyard. Get
a glimpse into life in the country and their residents.
For further information on how to sign up for either of these Discover
Italy activities, please consult the Student Life calendar or contact
![Projector Station for Blending - pro.sony · [Sony Corporation] > [Projector Station for Blending] > [PS for Blending]. For Windows 8, start the software using the [PS for Blending]](https://static.documents.pub/doc/80x56/5f6f6b9611addf735154fc46/projector-station-for-blending-prosony-sony-corporation-projector-station.jpg)