2011年3月27日星期日

Impressionisti.. un dei piaceri della vita

In Palazzo reale to visit an exhibition of impressionism, in this cloudy afternoon. I was so happy that I could so close to Monet, Renoir, Degas...

Here quote the text I saw in the end of this exhibition, which I like very much:

Visiting an art exhibition is - or rather, should be! - one of life's pleasures, . One of the reasons behind the extraordinary popularity of the Impressionists was their desire to offer visitors a moment of tranquillity, to raise a smile.
The Painting in the last section of the exhibition are dedicated to the pleasures in life.
It might be an evening at the theater, (as seen from the stage, like Degas' ballerinas practicing, or from a box, like their enchanting counterpart painted by Renoir), or simpler delights, easier to hand a bunch of scented flowers, a friendly dog to stroke, or even just a new fan.
The figures in the paintings of Tissot, Bonnard and Renoir are almost always young girls discovering one by one the little delights that every day can bring. Then there are the more "mature" pleasures, mostly destined for a male audience: for Degas, the races, or the search of an old print, for Daumier. Ever-chaning situations that are a visual reminder of the variety of human passions and the infinite beauty of life.

Yes, I cannot help myself to raise a smile on my face when I see these paintings , like thinking of the person I love, I appreciate every fine delight in my life.
a wall which full of the names of impressionists

2011年3月10日星期四

Milano-Verona-Venezia 26-28 Febbraio


Verona, the home of Romeo and Julie.

The first stop of our trip is Verona, the small place is famous for the story "Romeo and Julie".
We took 7 minutes bus to arrive the center, l'arena, the Roman amphitheater. It said to be the third largest amphitheater in  italy, after Rome's Colosseum and arena at Capua. We didn't enter, just walked around it...
L'arena, the amphitheater
Beside it, there is a shopping street. When we were checking the map to find the way to the Julie's house, an old man kindly showed us the way and led us to there.

First knew this place was from an American movie: A letter to Julie. In the movie, I was impressed by the wall where girls can leave letters to Julie. But the reality is: you cannot leave letter on the wall. Instead, on the wall of entrance, there is full of the marks left by lovers. When you walk through the alley, you can feel the message of love swarm to you. No need to explain what love is. It is already shown on the wall straightly, simple and powerful.
Then entrance to Juliet's house
a couple
for single girls
in the movie, this wall is full of girls' letters

Then I saw the bronze statures of Julie. People said if you touch her right breast, it can bring you happiness.

And there are stairs to the 1st floor, there you can see Julie's balcony from the other angle.
Once upon a time, Juliet stood here, waiting her lover. As time goes by, only left their tomb and this lonely balcony, can you still feel of their love?
The other view of Juliet's balcony

It was raining when we left Verona, in the 17th morning. From 26 February to 8 March is the annual Vinice Canivale. In the train to Venezia, we already felt the atmospher of canivale. We saw girls with masks, fairy dresses, men with Bauta (the basic dress of canivale, which consist of a triangle hat, a mask and a cloak).

At 10:30, we arrived on St. Lucia station. When we exited the hall, there were already full of people and busy water-board bus.

Finding hotel, checking in, then we started our explore in Venezia.

The biggest difference here is: it is a city without  cars. The transportation relies on the numerous canals and bridges. In the place of interests, you could see the gondola, the traditional Venetian boat, carrying the curious visitors go through the narrow canals.
Gondola
Masks
working table for masks
And there are uncountable boutiques selling masks, glasses and other handicrafts.

In this annual big festival, every street is full filled with visitors. you could also see people with bizarre dressing walking around, allow visitors to take photos of them.

Canival, the word is origin form Latin, means "farewell", in the past, during this festival, no matter poverty or rich, everyone hide under the masks, the social order is overturned during this short period. Venice became a place of happiness.

To me, the most attractive sites are the houses along the canals. there is no path in front of the door, but instead of several wooden pillars which for boat parking.
Compare with the water town in South China, Venice is a place you live more close to water.

Undoubtedly, her is a place of artist, wherever, at a glance, you could find the similar scenery in painting.

The next day, we started from visiting Marcado Rilato, Ponto di Rilato. in the morning, it is quiet and empty. Differs from the one we saw last night. Then we went to Foundamente Nuova, took a boat to island Murano and Burano.

Murano is a island which famous for its lace and colorful house.
The dolls in a restaurant
the dolls in a restaurant
Burano is recognized by its glass-making. We also went to the Museo di Verta, where hosts the art works of ancient and contemporary. Here I leant glass can be made of transparent, translucent and opaque. It differs by the ingredients. and I also learnt that  through the pattern, we could identify the work from which period.
glass start


working table for glass