Glass blowers of Murano hit by crisis
Glass artisans have been hit by a new crisis and Murano main economy is on the point of collapse The numbers of sales have been plummeting and many furnaces are closing down. Venice has become almost completely dependent on tourism but the glass blowers are quite as central to Venice’s identity as the gondoliers. I am afraid, space for more hotels and tourists accommodations.
Violenta Scossa di Terremoto avvertita anche a Venezia
Una violenta scossa di terremoto è stata avvertita poco prima delle 16:00 in buona parte del Nord Italia. Il sisma è stato avvertito distintamente a Genova, Milano, Padova, Pisa, Livorno, Parma, Bolzano,Torino ed anche a Venezia. Per ora non si segnalano danni, ma molte persone si sono riversate in strada.
Secondo i primi dati il terromoto dovrebbe avere una magnitudo superiore a 5. L’epicentro del sisma sarebbe in Emilia Romagna, in provincia di Modena.
Thodoros Angelopulos at Incroci di Civilta’
The Greek film director Theo Angelopoulos, who has died yesterday aged 76 in a road accident, was an epic poet of the cinema, creating allegories of 20th-century Greek history and politics. He redefined the slow pan, the long take and tracking shots, of which he was a master. His stately, magisterial style and languidly unfolding narratives require some effort on the part of the spectator.
The above picture was taken during his last visit to Venice last year, when he was invited by Incroci di Civilta’, a brilliant yearly festival that involves writers, authors, film directors, screen players etc etc but this is another story
Tabarro (Cloak)
Tabarro (cloak) is a type of loose garment that is worn over clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat; it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable outfit or uniform. Cloaks are as old as human history; there has nearly always been some form of long, unstructured outer garment used to protect people from the weather. Over time cloak designs have been changed to match current styles and textile needs.
Cloaks generally fasten at the neck or over the shoulder, vary in length, from hip all the way down to the ankle, mid-calf being the normal length. They may have an attached hood, and may cover and fasten down the front, in which case they have holes or slits for the hands to pass through. However, cloaks are almost always sleeveless.
Member of Osti e Tabbari walks in Venice today 25th January 2012
Historic Atelier Pietro Longhi
This is a Magical place…with a capital M.
They make the costumes for nearly all the Venetian theatres, Museums, and also for many historical TV and cinema films made in the city. Costumes can be custom made and ordered for the Carnevale. There is even a selection for rent.
VENICE, ITALY – JANUARY 20: Choreographer Raffaele Dessi (L) and tailor Francesco Briggi (R) of the historic atelier Pietro Longhi check few costumes on January 20, 2012 in Venice, Italy. This is one of the busiest periods of the year for the atelier as the next few weeks the streets and canals of Venice will be filled with people attending the carnival, wearing highly-decorative and imaginative carnival costumes and masks.
There is a wide range of costumes available, but the majority are linked to the city’s history. They even made a replica of Henry the VIII dress, exactly identical to the original; the only problem is that it weighs in my view more than 3 kilos.
They make the three cornered hats, “zimare” etc etc! Everybody is really lovely, helpful and they have so many stories to tell you that you do now want to leave!
Big Ship You Kill Me!
I do not think we really need to say why the big ship should not be allowed in Venice…do we? A minor note…this was not my fav images of the day but the one ABC decided to use!
Blessing of Animals and Pets
VENICE, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Don Filippo Chiafoni Chaplain of the Church of S Francesco blesses the congregation and their animals during a special service held on January 15, 2012 in Venice, Italy. The blessing of animals and pets is a very ancient tradition dating back from San Francis of Assisi. (Marco Secchi/Getty Images)
This custom is probably conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures.
Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a (more…)
New adventure
Maintained in partnership with Italian writer Federico Moro, a blog that talks about the Venice Archipelago, of men, lands and…..
Come and check it out becasue words and images comes as fast as the tides
Poveglia…Poveglia!
Since moving to Venice, it has been a great desire of mine to visit the mysterious island of Poveglia, with its ruined mental asylum and haunted burial grounds. Finally, yesterday, thanks to two wonderful skippers Luca and Jacopo, and accompanied by fellow journalist and writer Robin Saikia I managed to visit the island.
For more images check the Poveglia gallery here or as a slideshow
Robin Saikia writes:
“Shortly before we left Poveglia, I forced myself to lie on an iron bed in the ruins of the psychiatric ward, recalling the images of the day: the desecrated chapel with the scabrous remains of its cheerful Tiepolo-blue ceiling, the claustrophobic corridors, the rusting beds and lockers, the quay, the bell-tower, the woods, the bridge. I closed my eyes tightly for a few long seconds. When I opened them, I saw a very clear picture of hell...”
The island of Poveglia, with its ruined hospital and plague burial grounds, is said to be the most haunted location in the world. Though the island is a multi-million dollar piece of real estate, it remains deserted and off limits to the public. Its dark, derelict and forbidding shores are only minutes away from the glamour of the Venice Film Festival on the Lido, but there are few visitors. Very few Venetians are prepared to talk about the island or answer questions. They believe that while the rest of Venice is governed by the Comune di Venezia, Poveglia remains firmly in the Devil’s jurisdiction. They see it as a kind of supernatural penitentiary, an outpost of purgatory and hell. This view is captured in an unnerving local saying: quando muore un cattivo, si sveglia a Poveglia; when an evil man dies, he wakes up in Poveglia. I visited the island in August this year with the photographer Marco Secchi. Our account is a drawing together of truth, half-truth, speculation and urban myth. It is based on conversations with local people and our exploration of the island. It is an attempt to make sense of the fear and revulsion that Poveglia continues to provoke, despite the best attempts of sceptics to exorcise its ghosts with the bell, book and candle of reason. (Robin Saikia)
Robin Saikia is the author of the highly acclaimed book, The Venice Lido, recently published by Blue Guides (http://thevenicelido.com). Please contact us to discuss licensing our 4000 word photo documentary of the island, words by Robin Saikia, photography by Marco Secchi. msecchi@gmail.com
Redentore Festival in Venice
Redentore is the celebration most loved by Venetians, to remind the end of the plague in 1577 higlights of the celebration are the poonton bridge across the Giudecca Canal, people gatherings on boats in the St Mark’s basin and spectacular fireworks display
Redentore is a popular festival that combines the sacred and profane, as Venice celebrations often do.
Redentore is the celebration most loved by Venetians, to remind the end of the plague in 1577, one of the most disastrous plagues in Venice history, still commemorated today with “the famous night of fireworks”, on the 3rd Saturday of July.
On the 3rd weekend in July, religious and political authorities, inhabitants and guests walk on this passageway to reach by foot, from the historical centre of Venice, the temple dedicated to Christ the Redeemer in the island of Giudecca
For the “famous night of fireworks”, between the 3rd Saturday of July and the Sunday after, thousands of Venetians and visitors come to celebrate, in the S. Mark´s basin swarming with boats crowded with people who bring typical culinary delights. Beginning on that Saturday morning, people engages with the organisation and preparation for the Redentore Festival. Foods are cooked for up to 20/30 people; candle-baloons, leafy branches and other trinket are hanged on the boats, terraces and rooftop loggias.
Soon as they are ready, those on the boats start looking for the best places in St. Mark´s Basin. After supper with relatives and friends under the showy ornamentation, everybody waits for the great firework show (the “foghi”) to begin, usually around 23:00.
Flying above Venice
The Seawings tours are specifically designed to complement your cruise experience, Seawings encourage you to relax as your guide whisks you away to the historic Island of San Clemente; explore the grounds of the luxurious San Clemente Palace Hotel & Resort and hop on board for memories that will last forever.
Providing unparalleled and rarely seen aerial views of the Venetian Lagoon and the islands of San Servolo, San Giorgio Maggiore, Giudecca, Torcello and Lido, Seawings promises you all the excitement in a lot less time.
No other tour provides such a complete picture of the enitire empire of Venezia. Seawings guided sightseeing tour of Venice is truly a unique way to see Venice as never before.
The Time in Between – (seeing the edge)
I wanted to experiment doing a small movie using High Speed – Slow Motion and what a better place than Venice…. I had a great fun and I think I will do a few more!
The Technique is nothing new at all…..Golf instructors have taken to using as a fairly cheap way to record acceptable high-speed video of golf swings!
In Praise of Doubt
Some of the images I have taken at the Press preview of In Praise of Doubt, click to go to the gallery.
From April 10th 2011 Punta della Dogana will show In Praise of Doubt, a presentation of historical pieces and new works including several site-specific projects that question the idea of uncertainty, our convictions about identity, and revisit the relationship between intimate space and the space of artwork.
Among the twenty artists in the exhibition In Praise of Doubt, almost half of them have never been included in previous exhibitions of the François Pinault Collection.
How does Venice work?
Venice, Italy, “stretching across 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy,” may be one of the most amazing places in the world to live. Fans of Donna Leon’s fictional detective Guido Brunetti come to know it as a land of good food, water taxis and alleys that dead-end at the water.
Having said that Venice is not just a stage set. It is also a city with a resident population, which has productive activities, transportation and services. But how does the “Venice system” work? How do the tides in the lagoon behave? How are the canals formed? And the embankments? What’s under the buildings?
Venice Backstage. How does Venice work? from Insula spa on Vimeo.
The Venice Carnival Photo Book
My photo book “Carnival in Venice 2011″ is out, it is about 40 pages and more than 50 photographs. You can take a look at the preview of few pages
Every year Venice celebrates Carnival, which lasts for two weeks and ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, so today was the final day! Compared to last year, the last day of this year’s Venice carnival is estimated to have witnessed a rise in tourist numbers. The combined figures offered by Venice police and hotel operators suggest that as many as 160,000 tourists were in Venice for the annual carnival’s closing Sunday.
It has been a very busy and intense 2 weeks, but with lots of fun as well and hundreds of pictures.
Venice Carnival Fever
On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 February, the “Festa Veneziana” (Venetian Festival) took place in Venice.
The prologue to the Carnival – to be held this year from 26 February to 8 March – is dedicated to the people of Venice. Over the weekend, several of the city’s rowing associations made their way through the city’s famous canals.
The festivities ended with the “Volo della Pantegana” (the flight of the rat), a parody of the flight of the angel, which traditionally opens the Carnival.
More pictures of Venice Carnival check under Images
On the steps of Marco Polo
For some funny reasons, a couple of weeks ago I found myself to host a three then moved to four days chat about Photography, Photojournalism and the power of images in communication at the Marco Polo in Venice.
It has been a fantastic experience being in such close contact with young and talented artists, with such a powerful source of inspirations they can be a therapy against the Artist Block, see my previous posts about it here and here and even here!)
This slide show is composed by a small selection of images from their Portfolios
The following ones are images taken during the 1h photo-walk we had on the fourth day near the school
Pictures are from: Nina Alessandri, Giorgia Gavagnin, Costanza Lucarini, Enna Negrini, Carlotta Barina
Their work shows that we need to pay more attention to young artists and young photographers, we need to give them hopes and share with them our knowledge….we will be repaid back 100 times by their powerful source of inspiration! Established photographers should not be worried by young artist on the contrary we should feel energized and challenged by their “competition”…..bring it on!!
PS Forgot to mention next step a small photo book!
Sior Rioba
Sior Rioba has last night spoken, when few hundred posters appeared overnight on statues, bridges and lamp posts in Venice ahead of a national mobilization of Italian women which will take place in cities across the country on February 13 for the Giornata Nazionale di Mobilitazione delle Donne
Mr. Rioba is portrayed in a corner of the Campo dei Mori, originally he came from Morea along with his two brothers, Sandi and Afan. They arrived in Venice around 1112 and were traders of spices.
Signor Antonio Rioba, spokesman of the Venetians in the satire against the Republic, was for a long time for Venice what Marforio and Pasquino were for Rome,
Vorticists in Venice
A slave is one who waits for someone to come and free him. (Ezra Pound)
The Vorticism group began with the Rebel Art Centre which Wyndham Lewis and others established after disagreeing with Omega Workshops founder Roger Fry, and has roots in the Bloomsbury Group, Cubism, and Futurism. Lewis himself saw Vorticism as an independent alternative to Cubism, Futurism and Expressionism.
Though the style grew out of Cubism, it is more closely related to Futurism in its embrace of dynamism, the machine age and all things modern (cf. Cubo-Futurism). However, Vorticism diverged from Futurism in the way it tried to capture movement in an image. In a Vorticist painting modern life is shown as an array of bold lines and harsh colours drawing the viewer’s eye into the centre of the canvas.
The name Vorticism was given to the movement by Ezra Pound in 1913, although Lewis, usually seen as the central figure in the movement, had been producing paintings in the same style for a year or so previously.
Pictures from today opening of the Venice Exhibition
600
Vaporino
When you walk in the winter fog, there seems to be no division between water and embankment, life and death, love and hate. You feel that you can walk through walls, through sky, through time.
My Venice is the Venice of winter, the Venice of Cannaregio, the Venice of fog. Walking down the Fte Nove in la nebbia, wearing rubber boots against the high water, it is hard to tell where terra firma leaves off and sky and water begin. The city seems to hang in the air like a mirage. Sounds bounce off the waters and deceive you with their closeness or farness. Figures appear and disappear around corners. The past beckons. It is quite possible to believe that it can take you and never give you back.
Related articles
- The peaceful pleasures of Venice in winter (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
Venice Frittelle – Venezia Fritole
- Image via Wikipedia
Frittelle…Fritoe, or fritters, are the most famous dolci or sweets of Venice during the Carnival Season.
Frittelle begin showing up in pastry shops, Cafes and bakeries, mid Januaryand during the weeks leading up to il Carnevale di Venezia. When Carnival is over, frittelle disappear from the store windows almost as quickly as tourists in masks.
Frittelle come in a variety of styles, both filled and unfilled, the available choices usually include:
Frittelle veneziane. No filling, but with raisins and pine nuts mixed into the fairly heavy dough. After frying, the frittelle are rolled in granulated sugar.
Frittelle con crema chantilly. Filled with a light vanilla-flavored pastry cream and rolled in granulated sugar.
Frittelle con cioccolata. Filled with a mild chocolate-flavored pastry cream and rolled in granulated sugar.
Frittelle con zabaione. Filled with a Marsala-flavored pastry cream and rolled in granulated sugar.
The most famous and renowned places were to get the Frittelle and my vote
- Pasticceria Tonolo: Contrada San pantalon in Dorsoduro 10/10
- Pasticceria Didovitch: Campo Santa Marina 9/10
- Pasticceria Bonifacio Calle degli Albanesi San Marco 4/10 (uncooked)
- Panifico Fornareto Calle del Forner Cannaregio 8/10
- Coffe Pasticceria Pitteri Strada Nuova Cannaregio 9/10 but poor Cappuccino!
- Dal Mas Cannaregio Rio Terà Lista de Spagna, 150 8/10
- Rosa Salva (5/10)
The worst Frittelle (IMHO)
- Majer (San Giacomo dell’Orio) : just one word Terrible!!!
This year prices are around 1.00 and 1.30 Euro each but I have seen also a few outrageous 1.50
Venice Photo Tour
During your Photo Tour of Venice your professional photographic guide will point out details invisible to the untrained eye and reveal the best vantage-points on your chosen route. Learn to tell a story through images, take great shots of iconic monuments and capture atmospheric images off the beaten track.
Classic and “Specials” Photo Walks
- Classic Photo Walk : 3 or 6 hours 1-2-1 Tuition to improve your photography and discover hidden parts of Venice. The price is €210 for 3h of €380 for 6h (The price is for the tour and you can invite up to 3 friends/guests) . The tour is 1-2-1 so there will be just you (or your family/friends) The 3h tour is based in Venice where the 6h is generally divided (for best light) in 3h sunrise and 3h sunset and usually include a visit to Burano with its magic colors.
- Gondola Photo Ride : 3 1/2 h (30min Gondola Ride) Ideal for a couple. A photography tuition, during a photographic walk around Venice and a Gondola ride. Pictures of you on Gondola and in and around Venice taken by a multi published international photographer - € 350 max 4 people (aprox 5 pictures)
- NEW!! Photo Cruise in the Venice Lagoon : 3h or 6h Cruises, maximum 8 persons, prices start at € 550 Ask for full details and prices. The best way to visit the Lagoon and some of its famous Islands like Poveglia, San Clemente, Lazzaretto, S Lazzaro, S Erasmo. etc etc
- NEW!! Guided Tour of Venice: Approx. 4h walk (max 8 people) 320€ Together with me, participants will be accompanied by a well established city guide, who loves the City, its history and legends, ready to share with you details and stories about the places visited, which in turn will help you appreciate the photographic subjects chosen by Marco, or help you choose your own.
This is a new way to visit, get to know and to see the sights of Venice, avoiding the masses of tourists and at the same time to learn new photographic skills or improve , A fantastic experience in one of the most beautiful cities of the world!
Prices are per Tour NOT per person ( and is a 1-2-1 so only you or your partner, friends, small group)
What is NOT included: Most of the times my tours are just walking tours but if we do decide to take a Water bus the fare are NOT included, same for Museums or churches!
So bring your walking shoes and be prepared to discover the mysteries of the city. Bring your camera and learn how to have more fun with your camera.
• Discover parts of Venice less traveled by tourists.
• Hear interesting tales and stories
• Take better photos
• Turn your photos into exciting stories.
• Have fun !
Let a Creative Italian Photographer walk you through the city of Venice in an unforgettable Photo Walk capturing real candid moments of your stay in beautiful pictures. Enjoy a relaxed vacation and bring home remarkable pictures of your visit.
Touring Venice can be a very exciting experience, but it can also be quite an adventure if you are unsure of which places to visit and how. Language barrier may also represent a curious obstacle but it can also be frustrating. We offer innovative and unforgettable Photographic Tours to welcome you in the most fascinating and romanitc place in the world. Experience Venice through the eyes of a native Italian Professional Photographer. He will guide you in an exclusive tour through the most interesting Venice landmarks and monuments.
All city excursions are exclusively custom-made to fit your needs. You can explore the sites whichever way you like and at your own pace.
Walking around Venice together with a professional photographer is an enlighten experience. He will show you all the tricks of the game but it is also a fun and new way to visit a city like Venice. You will be able to visit, see, experience and tour places, situations, people that would be otherwise difficult to come across. The Photo Tours will take you through off-the-beaten tracks to the most important monuments and landmarks. You will avoid the tourist pedestrian highways and will take more secluded, intimate and truly Italian passageways. Let it be romantic, creative, fun and friendly, the astounding imagery will do the rest. We will show you the right places to eat, where true Italian dwell and the hidden beauties of the wonderful city.
- Venice Photo Walk with Marco Secchi rated “excellent” by travellers
For more details check here
Old wood
If gondolas are the most famous boat in Venice, they are not the only one. All kind of crafts go tirelessly all over town. A large part of them are made out of modern materials, but many old and classical wooden hulls are still in use.
Related articles
- The peaceful pleasures of Venice in winter (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- Venice in Winter (travel.nytimes.com)
Christmas in Venice
Father Christmas wearing boots to cope with seasonal high water walks along Riva degli Schiavoni in Venice.
The Christmas of most of the old Italian writers as well as Dickens and even Hollywood movies is all about family, friendship, compassion and goodwill for all , it is about the “Christmas Spirit” that stands for core religious values. On the other side The Christmas that you see every day is about demanding or try to sell expensive gifts, selfishness, eat as much as you can, getting drunk.
I hope you belong to the first category but whatever you choose a Merry Christmas to all my Catholic friends!
A usage of one of my images in Vanity Fair Italy
Related articles
- The spirit of Christmas… (thewayoftheweb.net)
- Christmas Spirit — it’s what you make it (scottpaterson.org)
- The True Spirit of Christmas (socyberty.com)
