F-lights 2016 in FlorenceLightness – the title of this videomapping project on Ponte VecchioVan Gogh arts on Ponte Vecchio
Unconventional shoots – it’all about the last F-lights cerimony, the one that has just started some days ago and will last until the beginning of 2017, it takes place all around the city of Florence, and you can enjoy it just walking by the main squares and monuments of the city.
I’ve just have the chance to have a look at some projections that appear each nights on Ponte Vecchio: you can stare at them showing up and introducing the topic of ‘lights’ in the history of arts through a series of images related to some of the main artists, from Taddeo GadditoRaffaello, Caravaggio, Van Gogh, Giacomo Balla, Emil Nolde, Andy Warhol andDan Flavin.
F-lights is the name of the festival about all kinds of activities that could be related to the lights that could be used to enhance the city to make it even more inspirational (as if it was not enough!): video-mapping on buildings and monuments, projections on pavements and squares, streelights from the top panoramas, special shop windows and so on..
Here you are some F-lights shoots:
F-lights Florence 2016 – image by Giacomo BallaImage projections taken from Dan Flavin arts
Let’s go to Vinci for a trip, it’s winter, it’s cold, but when the sun shines the need to go somewhere green becomes a must: Vinci is the winner city of this daytrip, a small town located on the Montalbano hills – and we’re obviously talking about the birthplace of Leonardo ‘da Vinci’. Vinci landscapes and Leonardo will be the protagonists of the following pics:
Vinci, TuscanyLeonardo SouvenirVinci, TuscanyThe Vitruvian man – Vinci view
here you can visit a sort of dislocated museum, in the sense that there are several units which are part of the ‘Museum of Leonardo’ in the city of Vinci.
The first visit to do is the Castle of the Guidi Counts in the city center: here you can have a taste of the exhibitions:
rotable crane – first model used to build the Florence’ s Domecrane in actionFour spindle spinning machineGold-beating machine, Vinci Museum
here you are the wooden series: instrumental tools and shapes, a tank model, Leonardo’s wheels studies applied to a bicycle
Wooden Tank model by Leonardo Da VinciMechanical wing model by Leonardo da VinciWooden structure representing the tool and crane used to build the top of the Dome of FlorenceShades and lights reflecting the Vitruvian Man
Then the series of work of arts dedicated to the painting and the study of perspective:
Reflection and perspective with Mona Lisa by Leonardo da VinciThe study of wheels – wooden machines by Leonardo
Here is the Leonardo’s painting in which he was able to introduce the power of linear perspective to go towards naturalism in painting. You can see the deepth of the landscape and natural pose of the characters by looking at it moving to the right, from Mary’s point of view: if you do so, you can enjoy the very point of view and right perspective:
Leonardo’s Annunciation
Trip to Anchiano, birthplace of Leonardo
Books and videos about Leonardo history by Archivio Luce
It happened by chance to be near Ponte Vecchio some days ago: it happened by chance to enjoy the projections dedicated to the Florence’s flood of 60s and stare at those symbols who were introducing the level of the Arno river during that disaster…
Ruler projections to measure the flood’ level Santo Spirito and Santa Maria Novella and San Giovanni almost completely flood ed by Arno Arno’s level at Galluzzo and Gavinana (Florence areas) Arno’s level at Santa Croce during the flood
Some of the projections were part of the popular Locchi’s archive (an old and professional photographer of Florence):
Arno’s flood level Giorgio Vasari and ‘Corridoio Vasariano’
Firstly said, colors and lines are going to be the protagonists since they are the special guests of the paintings we’re going to see. They drew my attention since some years ago, when I firstly heard about Professor Bad Trip by looking at some cover books by an Italian write – Niccolò Ammaniti – and still are the very core of his saucerful work of arts I was lucky to see:
Prof. Bad Trip, lesson n.2 exhibit in RomeArte Mutante
The paintings and multiple installations tell the story of his life: you can see his capability to experiment with several supports and materials, as well as using combination of colors which livens up his works and make them even more psychedelic than they could be: Indian ink drawings, comics, illustrations and collages, they always present the same icons as eyes, skulls, semi-human robots, hallucinogenic views, rich and popular people, mutant organisms, meteors and alien creatures…
Prof. Bad Trip
The entrance of Palazzo Velli Expo:
Bad eye by Prof bad Trip
Then, his experimental works with several types of support as screen prints, sculptures, ink on paper and drawings:
Robota II by Prof Bad Trip
Lego Robot 2004
Robot is smiling too, Prof. Bad Trip
Robota by Prof. Bad Trip
Then the series dedicated to #flowerpower 🌺🌻🌸..where the colour contrasts empower the illustrations and pictorial works:
Acid flowers, by Prof. Bad Trip
Gianluca Lerici – the actual name of Prof. Bad Trip – was – and still is – also one of the representative of Mail art, that kind of art communication which was popular in the early 60s when the ‘mail’ channelwas considered a prominent way to promote arts and social values to spread one own’s work of art by challenging the regular channels – that is to say, the art the was able to propagate despite the fact that an artist was able to find a good gallery or available spaces to exhibit their arts:
Mail art, postcards by Prof. Bad Trip
collage by Prof. Bad TripGianluca Lerici, Prof. Bad Trip
Series of works of art by Prof. Bad Trip
A commemorative stamp for Prof. Bad Trip
Triptych – first painting
Triptych – second painting
Triptych – third painting
‘Trittico Space‘ – These are one of his most important work: the triptych, the bas space, which ends the exhibit. You can choose to stare at it or live it thanks to the virtual reality app that has been developed in order to engage the audience and let them fell free to swim in it, surf it, catch all the meteors or just enjoy the trip offered by the Professor..
sculpture in the space
If you want to enjoy more of his works, Teké Gallery did a complete study and tries to introduce Prof. Bad Trip as his actual nature of avant-garde punk artist. Here you can find a digital catalogue, you can leaf through the pages of this book…
Do you know that the most popular brand of Italian motorbikes Ducati was firstly a Radio Company?! 😳
Its name was Società Radio Brevetti Ducati, based in Bologna (which is not Borgo Panigale, but in the very heart of the city) and founded by the 3 Ducati brothers. One of them, infact, was a physicist and he firstly discovered how to connect an Italian radio station with an American one: thanks to a condenser that improved the radio transmissions, Ducati business was boosted all over the world, and they became one of the leader company for radio tools and freequencies.
Radio Brevetti Ducati, 20s’ Bologna
Then our history told us about the Second World War, and in that period, Ducati was asked to produce useful products for the Army: in that moment it started to develop specific bikes, or better, motorbikes as Cucciolo, the very first one:
Cucciolo, the first motorbike by DucatiThe heart of Cucciolo by Ducati
Ducati motorbikes
Regina d’Africa motorbike for Dakar, Museo Ducati, Borgo PanigaleRed Ducati, Museo of Borgo Panigale
Scrambler, the adventurer motorbike by Ducati
The visit to the museum ended up after a tour of the industry where you can have a look to the production lines and process but it was absolutely forbidden to take pics 🙄
To finish, here you are some pics of the surrounding buildings
Yes it’s hard to be believe, above all if thinking that that night was a Saturday night!
Who can imagine to be involved in a surprisingly exhibit on a Sat night? And in a church? Well it can happen, it happened. Saturday night, November 5th 2016.
It was almost midnight when the news came to my ears: ”The last supper‘ by Vasari will be shown at the Opera of Santa Croce for free – only for a night, due to the 50th anniversary of Florence flood – the disastrous flood of 1966 which destroyed half of the city…Vasari painting included.
Here you are what I was lucky to see..the Vasari unveiled at the Opera of Santa Croce:
The last ssupper by Vasari, Santa Croce, Florence
In one of the inner room, there were projections related to the worst flood ever – at least in Florence:
Florence flood 1966
During that flood – it was said – that the most of the city heritage was completely destroyed. The Vasari painting that was in the church of Santa Croce at that moment, was completely damaged by the water, and that’s why its restoration has been chosen as a symbol for the 50th anniversary after the big flood.
Enjoy my last pics of the Opera of Santa Croce：
Opera of Santa Croce, Florence
..even if I suggest to visit it to have a look and see directly the painting and the Opera too! 🙌
Starting with the Pink Floyd cover of Another Brick in the wall…just to be projected in the context…
Well, pink, that’s how I tried to be and feel yesterday while waiting for this unexpected show: the official Pink Floyd tribute band live, the Brit Floyd.
Before entering the show, audience was also warned about lights effects which could bother someone – this only made people more curious about what we were going to see..
first of all:
Brit Floyd – live show in Florence 2016
Brit Floyd
Then it comes the psychedelic version:
Battersea Bridge station in the back and psychedelic mood
Psychedelic faith and dark side
The grand final…
#NoteOfTheDay Time – The Dark Side of the Moon, 1973
Are you wondering where to go if you’re in relax, in Florence, in a sunny day, reading that museums are free because it’s the last Sunday of the month?
Bargello Museum, Florence
…This is the solution number 1
Here you are a sort of Bargello-pictures-show with some details about its artists and scultures. Take it as a sort of tour, for those who still not have the chance to go.
Entrance/view from the top:
Bacco, Bargello, FlorenceBirds sculptures by Giambologna
Then there is the Majolicas and pottery room:
Ceramics and majolicas pottery room in BargelloCantagalli manufacture
Here you are the beauty accessories: the oldest bags made of pottery, ivory mirrors, jewels, chess and unbelievable staff and ornaments 😵
The very first bag made by potteryIvory works of art used to cover a little mirror
The very first chess made by ivoryHamlets and knives, Bargello:
Jesters sticksOrnaments made by coral
HamletsJewels in Bargello
Mother-of-pearl elements
Then you arrive in the Islamic room with its completely covered walls, dark atmosphere and detailed ornaments:
Islamic room, Bargello
Islamic pattern, Bargello
…and the last biggest, brilliant and crowded room is the main central one with both the David statues:
Main room at Bargello, with ‘Davids’David by Donatello, Bargello, FlorenceMarble David by Donatello, Bargello, Florence
and the heraldic lion which is located in the middle of the room, Marzocco:
Marzocco by Donatello，the heraldic lion of Florence
After some hours, you can also enjoy the solution number 2…
Weird-Wired Next Fest 1st edition in Florence has been one of the most interesting initiative among the most recent events.
It can be considered as the Italian version of TEDx, the worldwide independent event whose acronym stands for technology, entertainment and design… Well, maybe Wired is trying to do the same, but dealing with the territory, rooted in the local network.
Projections and Pacman at Wired Next Fest, Florence
By the way, here we are with some weird-wired moments and protagonists of the weekend:
Pian de Giullari, opening event of Wired Next Fest
…this is the HDR 75, analog hybrid computer that was developed in DDR in Dresda.
IBM tape storageMeda 42 TA Hybrid computer: digital + analog
And now let’s go to the main topic of Wired Next Fest: the new beauty, how the digital world is changing our perception of beauty…
War, beauty and erotism of the art of Milo Manero, one of the most ccontroversi al contemporary weird artist in critics.
…and then The Bumbys, the American unidentified duo who is trying to keep and compare our personalities by their perception and their sensitive skills trasformed into an app:
The Bumbys performing their app
The Bumbys, revelation app of Wired Next Fest
Some more speeches and event slots focused on new movies coming soon – as ‘Login’ which is about the Internet rise in Italy – and on the augmented reality games like the one sponsored by Enel:
Wired event in Sala D’arme- Palazzo VecchioInteractive area in the augmented reality sponsored by EnelWired Next Fest 2016 Florence edition
Long gone day.. is the title of a great song that came to my mind after I decided to have a long long walk. This walk had to be in a naturalistic place, with not many people, towards the top of the city – which basically is a place for tourists, but luckily, they’re not so mad like me to choose the warmest hours of the day. I generally love to explore these areas with long random walking moments which last almost 2 hours, maybe more…
And I generally take at least 1 picture a step 🙌 – these were the last 10 steps, the hardest ones:
Go walking, sightseeing and relaxing while listening to your favourite music thanks to the playlist you’ve just created exactly to enjoy your walk-state-of-mind. Well, you can also think about your life, but I suggest not to do it too much 😜💁
