Istanbul or San Francisco?

Internet is tough to come by. We are here, and it is really amazing. The culture is so different, the architecture grand, and the food's flavor has been a perk to the taste buds. The city has a very San Francisco feel to it. The topography is quite varied from hill to hill, and the building scale and typology are strikingly similar. I almost feel like I am back in the states at times. That is until I aproach a mosque, or see a women covered head to toe in black veil. Today I went to my first Turkish Bath and massage. Nothing beats it after a rigorous day of drawing and analyzing my surroundings. I feel refreshed, and loose as a goose. One highlight from the last few days is watching the girls all cover up to go into the mosques. It is amazing what a headdress does to a person. Sasha, Ellen, and Jade are all seen here with very different expressions and interpretations. I hope you enjoy.

Done.

Last night we had our studio final pin up. The bulk of my work is now done. For those of you who care (which I am sure is very few), the program was a Museum of Memory, the remember and remains. Our concept is a exhibition space that has artists do installations of their interpretation of memory, and then leaves one of the pieces behind which is then incorporated into the next exhibit. For example, love poetry is exhibited first. One poem is left on the wall, and then a mural is painted around it. Our site is here in Rome, and the building is a few hundred years old. The challenge was to make something new, that was still sensitive to its context. Anyway, that is what we have been working our tails off for the last few days. My teammates and I are pleased with the outcome, and had a blast watercoloring in this very vibrant and evocative style.

We get a couple days in Rome, and then we are off to Istanbul. Culture, scene, and religion are about to make a significant change.

Book Report.

So I have been doing a lot of reading, as is typical during my travels. So, for those of you who care, here is what is done and in progress with a brief summary.
This was my first Vonnegut. I really did not know what to expect. It was a very fast read that starts with something as simple as writing a book, and finishes with the end of the world. I love the narration quality of the book, and would gladly recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read, that has many layers.





Eco is one of those writers everyone has heard of, knows they should read, but never do. This book was quite intense, very complicated, and at times tough to follow the logic. I really enjoyed the challenge of this book, and the history it covers in a thrilling story. I think Dan Brown might have had some inspiration from this book (in fact, I am pretty sure there wasn't an original idea in DaVinci Code that isn't eluded to in this novel). I would recommend this book to anyone with quite a bit of time, and the patience to get through to Chapter 10.

Ludlum is one of my favorite adventure reads. I have not seen the movie, and a book always ruins them for me, so I may never see it. This book was great. I read the first in the series last summer, so it was like continuing my travels with Jason. This series is everything you could want in adventure, mystery.





Part of the suggested reading for this summer, is the commentary on present day Turkey. I will update my thoughts on it later this summer, because I have only just begun reading it. I had no idea how complicated the history of Constantinople / Istanbul, but I am eager to learn. We leave in a week, and it will be great to know more before arriving.




I have been told 1000 times I HAVE to read this book. At 1100 pages it has always been a bit overwhelming, but this summer I am going to do it. I am starting today and am eager to love it as much as everyone tells me I will.

A Few More Pics....

The Best Weekend of My Life.

No words can describe the events of this weekend adequately. It was one of those experiences that is so unreal no one can understand it but you. So I will simply try my best to highlight the best...

Capri. We took a private boat taxi from Massa Lubrense to Capri Island. The calm, clear Mediterranean Bay was beautiful, and the taxi driver took us through grottos, and past amazing sights of the island, then dropped us off at a fairly private non-touristy beach where we swam, and sat in the sun for most of the day. We went to the top of the island for one of the best meals I have ever had in my life. When the sun slipped behind the mountain, we were picked up by the taxi, and went back to our apartment to shower and get ready for dinner...

Pizza. The oldest pizzeria in Massa is owned by an amazing Italian man. He brought us all sorts of antipasto, pizza, and dessert drinks. We ate more than any of us thought possible. He took me to the kitchen, to see our pizzas as they were being made with his guidance and suggestion. We all felt like one of his family by the end. After dinner, we went to after dinner drinks on the beach, and sat in a swanky cabana style bar, recounting the day.

Vespas. The next morning, we mounted our rented vespas, and traversed the windy road along the Amalfi Coast. It was amazing to take in the breathtaking views of the cliffs and ocean along the way. The thrill of zipping around like an Italian on a scooter is something I will never forget. After stopping in Positano, as well as a few other vista points, we set up shop at the beach in Amalfi for a bit of relaxing before heading back. We finished the day with an amazing seafood dinner in Massa.

Solarium. Finally, today before heading back to Rome, we hit the water one last time in Sorrento. In the clear cool water we relaxed and enjoyed a day with a book in one hand and a beverage in the other. Our biggest decision we had to make is when to jump in the Mediterranean, or when to re-apply sun screen. It is a rough life.

As Requested.

As Megan requested, here are some photos of last night's events.
FIRST, the Campo from one of our apartments. Bustling, yet in control.
SECOND, the Campo in total mayhem after the winning goal. Crazy, but fun.
THIRD, the Campo is cleared by the police, and they hold their line with shields, helmets, and clubs. The mob did not want to leave. Total pandemonium.

A Week of Work

So, this week was all about class work. So not much to report on. Last weekend in Tuscany we spent an evening on bikes riding around Lucca. Alison and I shared a tandem...and she decided to test her skills at riding without feet or hands...she must really trust me ;) Anyway, it was a great way to explore the city, and get a new perspective. A wall that once was a force to keep people out, is now used as a uniting principle where community happens.

Italy just won the World Cup. It was an amazing game to watch, and now all of Roma is in hysteria. Somehow, I doubt sleeping is going to be an option for quite a few nights, as they continue to blow their air horns, chant their White Stripes jingle, and make a mess of the fountains and streets in general. Celebration is at hand. And Celebration was pretty much riots last night. My apartment had a front row view of the cops holding back the crowds. Their goal was to keep them out of the Campo we live on...so they endured being hit with bottles, bars from windows, and very loud (like a serious bomb went off) firecrakers and smoke bombs. From my window I felt like I was watching a movie...yet it was all real.

Ty...if you are reading this...I found some handscopes, and almost bought one for you...but they were not quite Jack Bauer sized, so I will continue to search ;)

Pictures from Tuscany.

We took a weekend trip through some small hill towns in Tuscany this weekend. Among them was Siena, Lucca, Pisa, and San Gimignano. These places were all beautiful for different reasons. Mom, when you come out here, we will need to do a couple day trips from Florence. Enjoy some of the pictures I took. A link to more: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyphotos/