Tuesday, 15 July 2008

Porta Romana

My gorgeous apartment in Porta Romana, Firenze.


Early days in Florence.

With 38 degree heat and 60% humidity my days are spent either: melting in class at the Accademia or whilst visiting the churches and galleries around Firenze with Matteo my art history teacher; cycling along the Tuscan countryside scattered with cyprus trees and dotted with stone villages; sitting in my garden at home in Porta Romana drinking caffelatte's; sunbaking; reading & writing... Can it get any more challenging...?

At night if were not sitting in my garden talking under a moonlit sky about dreams and plans for the future, I'm being seranded by persistent mosquitos.

First impressions of "Bella Firenze" upon my return.

Architectural features and street scenes in Firenze.

Local wine bar & 'Roses for 5.00 Euro', Porta Romana, Firenze.

"Dietrofronte" by Michelangelo Pistoletto. Porta Romana

I love this marble statue situated in the middle of the round about infront of the Porta Romana and remember the first time Marco explained its significance to me.

As we rode past the statue on the ‘moto’ at 2am Marco explained to me that about 20 years ago an important contemporary artist Michelangelo Pistoletto was commissioned to create "Dietrofronte" as a metaphor for the perspective through which Florence views the world, and how in turn it is viewed.

Dietrofronte, depicts a woman is balancing herself upon her head and symbolises her reflecting upon the life she has left behind as she looks ahead at her life which lies ahead. Their was great controversary in response to the statue because it was so contemporary, but I like its sentiment & its relevance to my life….


No comments: