San Gimignano is known as the “city of towers” in Tuscany. It’s a medieval, walled, hilltop town that makes most first-time tourists “must see” list. They have arguably the best gelato in Italy at Gelataria Dondoli as well as charming streets, tunnels, and piazzas. It is not the kind of town one expects to find a contemporary …
Past the crowded streets of Venice’s highlights is a quiet public garden called the Giardini. It hosts the Venice art and architecture festivals on alternating years. Underneath the canopy of trees are 30 pavilions representing specific participating nations. The 2016 artistic director, Alejandro Aravena, called architects from around the world to create exhibitions that reflect not on architectural …
One of our Italy stops this summer was Venice. My Rialto bridge experience was a good reminder to skip the important tourist stops, to avoid standing in line with kids, and not to expect food as good as Tuscany. Instead we ate hot dog calzones in small piazzas, road boats, got lost, and went to the Architecture Biennale (which …
One of the smaller spaces at Hangar Bicocca felt like the largest. The fourteen pieces of “architecture” installed in the Shed gallery provided places where we could climb, laugh, and be transported. Our favorite was made by our homestate heroes, Rural Studio! On their blog, they talk about building a “Forum” for thinking and debating. It is made …
Hangar Bicocca hosts a permanent installation of Anselm Kiefer’s “Seven Heavenly Palaces” (2004-2015). In a warehouse-like space, exists seven towers that are more likely to fall down than reach heaven, as well as five huge paintings. The expansive space feels silent and hollow. After walking the distance, my son commented, “His work is messy, and I don’t …
While we were hanging out at Lake Iseo in Italy, we took one morning to drive down to Milan. Hangar Bicocca is on the north side of the city and has a free parking lot next door. Our plan was to explore Milan all day. We could visit the museum and then catch the train to the center of the city, but …
Jackson Pollock’s work is something to see in person! Encountering a reproduction is not the same experience. But still many people will say that a child could make this. It’s a common misunderstanding and that’s why the quiz, “Can You Tell The Difference Between Modern Art And Paintings By Toddlers?” is popular. Before we figure out if …
Marvin Gaye Chetwynd’s playground is inspired by fantasies, a piece of local history, and robots. The playground is named after a 4000 year old sculpture found near by. “The Idol” is designed by Marvin Gaye Chetwynd in 2015 for the Abbey Leisure Centre, which is just outside of London. Chetwynd is a British artist who was nominated for the Turner …
“People come from everywhere to walk to nowhere. Not to shop, not to meet friends – they just walk, to nowhere,” commented Christo about the Floating Piers this week. The Floating Piers is Christo’s latest art installation. It is coming to close this weekend after being open for two weeks. I introduced the work here, …
While we are in Tuscany, we have plans to visit the Gori Collection, where they have seven artworks by Robert Morris. Robert Morris began working during the Minimalist, Process Art, and Earth Art movements in the 60s and 70s. He both contributes to how we understand them and is making something totally different. His work challenges the …