[art] thoughts

from Picasso (Ediciones Poligrafia):
"The modernist objective...was to find a method of representing reality within the superficial condition of painting which has its own coherent, internal logic." (5)

"Thus the painting itself becomes an object, one more element of reality, endowed with specificity and autonomy."

In the Palais de Tokyo, Christina Boltanski's exhibit:
"What remains of a person's existence but a few objects and some unlikely photographs?"

Is this the sole evidence of being?

Also, an interesting piece at the Palais de Tokyo (I forgot to grab the artist's name):

heights

So this is a bit overdue...

but my senses have been on overload, and it's takes time to process.

a curious fusion of antiquity, history, modernity, avant-garde art, fashion and architecture...

the eurotrip was quite a frenzy, but some quality family time was had. we started in blackpool at the uncle's and made our way through the continent.

paris had me at champ elysees and cafe du trocadero. beautiful, posh, the hub of art and fashion... i loved the museums, especially the musee d'orsay and the palais de tokyo. bonnard and vuillard, added to a list of favorites. trying to understand modernism, impressionism, cubism, expressionism, surrealism.

madrid, mature, historical. el retiro a beautiful park in the heart of the city...a real retreat. the reina sofia and the museo thyssen-bornemisza had very comprehensive collections.

and barcelona...bustling and alive. gaudi! so organic - the synthesis of aesthetics and function. his work and his inspiration is striking.

much thought about art, about purpose, about the meaning of words and images.
the fragility of memory and life.
the documentation of existence, of being...

and don't even get me started on the foods... [thought, i must say, nothing lived quite up to the cuisine in italy...] let's just say i enjoyed the wining and dining.

i also now speak "euro" which is a cacophonous mix of italian, french, and spanish. i am amazed at those who have mastered them individually! one day...

so many sights, sounds, tastes, smells, thoughts and memories i'm trying hard to hold on to.
and it doesn't stop, won't stop until i'm sitting on a plane headed for a school in jersey.

so trust that i'm coping, enjoying, missing, and living...

here's a few from the trip:

Thoughts on Travel

An article from the New York Times.

Me in a nutshell?

Languages, Parks, and Vonnegut

Amazing experience last night sitting at Pizzeria da Baffetto with a motley crew of Europeans.
3 French people, 1 German, 1 Italian, and 2 Americans

We met outside in line, and were invited to have dinner with them...Nevio was the ring leader, speaking English, Italian and French, translating back and forth.

I was ecstatic to practice my French and hear about life in Europe.

Also, went to my new favorite Roman place, and found a fountain, which I now think is my favorite fountain in the world. On our way, we got lost, and it started to rain. We were on a road with no sidewalks, and had to hug the walls so that cars wouldn't run as over. We walked for what seemed like forever, and just as we lost hope, we found an opening. It was like seeing the gates of heaven. Villa Doria Pamphili was amazing. The combination of cool weather, the sun setting, and lush green of the park made it a perfect place. I love parks.

As for today, we went to Castiglione del Lago...absolutely gorgeous. Lake Trasimeno was a giant dish of clear blue, warm bath water. Finally some clouds as we traveled through Umbria...the countryside looked so much greener because of it.

Making my way through Schlachthof-funf. Almost done, but really enjoying it.

"Billy Pilgrim says that the Universe does not look like a lot of bright little dots to the cretures from Tralfamadore. The creatures can see where each star has been and where it is going, so that the heavens are filled with rarefied, luminous spaghetti. And Tralfamadorians don't see human beings as two-legged creatures, either. They see them as great millepedes--'with babies' legs at one end and old people's legs at the other,' says Billy Pilgrim."

acknowledgements

to the musicians who have kept me sane this summer
(also a reminder for me to buy their music when I get the chance)

1. m.ward
2. scatteredtrees
3. rufus wainwright
4. the slip
5. camera obscura
6. dj mother hubbard
7. girltalk
8. ben kweller

also, thank you, rihanna, for "umbrella"

the Med in my veins

Owl eyes

My own eyes are no more than scouts on a preliminary search,

for the camera's eye may entirely change my idea.
-Edward Weston




(Calcata corner-Neighborhood church-Drinking water near Piazza Navona-People waiting for the Madonna on Ponte Garibaldi)
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(in my world, every alleyway ends with a pizzeria)