Florence blog

Florence deserves one, two and three visits, almost no one can disputed that. If you suffer from Stendhal Syndrome (counted, there are over a hundred people attended medically for having this “disease” per year), the best cure is to travel to the City of Arno, again and again. Thus, the retina will get used to so much beauty to your soul can assimilate without you come to faint. From its beautiful palaces crowded with works of art through its stately squares with marble facades to the Boboli Gardens, authentic green lung, as I said on another occasion, it doesn’t content with just being a park use, Florence awaits the traveler desirous of an encounter with the sublime. If that is inseparable from the place were not enough, from time to time, held an exhibition that comes to dwell further on this concept that the traveler has learned from this corner of Tuscany: the place par excellence of art.

Remember that the Pitti Palace is one of the most impressive buildings in Florence. Its huge Renaissance façade, made of stone and designed by following a rigorous geometric order, holds an enviable collection divided into several galleries. The original of the almighty Medici, is grouped into the so-called Palatine with works by Raphael, Rubens and Titian. But it does not only nourishes the Renaissance of the Pitti Palace since, this is less known, paintings and sculptures are of mixed age and reach even into the twentieth century.

As this was not enough, from October 2011 until the 12^th of February 2012, the Pitti Palace presents one of those exhibitions organized with the sane or insane intention of overwhelm visitors with works of art of all kinds. The title of this exhibition is La Bella Italia (beautiful Italy) and aims to show the artistic vision of various city-states before unification. 1861 is the date of creation of modern Italy as a nation. Previously, cities like Venice, Rome, Florence or Siena, were centers of political and economic independent power of each other and in the odd case facing death in long and bloody battles. The different masters, such as the Medici of Florence, were made to build their palaces, as they were real courts, with an incredible amount of artworks and precious objects of all kinds. The money from the trade and complex financial transactions (this is not something new) had a rich craft industry flourish of fashion, jewelry or furniture. But the release of these vented patrons came much further: the unconditional support to the artists who relapsed or were born in each of these cities. The result is well known: an unprecedented surge of artistic expression in all genres. And this particular view of these city-states by Titian, Michelangelo, Canaletto, Caravaggio, Botticelli, Donatello, Raphael, Veronese … (and so on to complete three hundred different works) is what is in this sample. I leave here the link of exhibition (http://www.uffizi.firenze.it/mostre/mostra.asp?id=239) where you can find all the practical information, because this article was not long enough to describe everything.

Candela Vizcaíno

And remember to book one of the nice apartments in Florence (you can do it online) and slowly enjoy this compelling city.

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Translated by: Hans
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There was a very long time in which airports were able to inspire countless movies and books, perhaps Essays in Love (1993) by Alain de Botton has been one of the last representatives of that era and even legendary music albums as music for Airports (1978) by Brian Eno, his attempt to emulate the effect produced on us by the fine arts, which were used to trace the outlines of an era self absorbed, fragmented and full of confidence.

Some of the criticisms of the work by Eno insisted on what they considered its greatest faults: beatless music, no rhythm and no melody. Eno, predictably, was pleased to read them, because they stated that he had succeeded in his attempt to leave almost everything off the disk. Since few things are so similar to the architecture and music, gifted with a prodigious ability to create space, we might even add without reflecting the status of airports as quintessential non-places, in fact, perhaps even more aristocracy of non-places. Perhaps this is one of the greatest charms of airports, their transient nature, the fact that everything at them seems to be perpetually in transit around the world, coming or going somewhere, in a continuous process of deterritorialization that releases the possibilities and thought.

It is not difficult to confuse the destiny of the planes that we see flashing, incessant and hypnotic in the screens with our own and being overcome by the urge to catch the first plane to appear on them, or submit information to new forms of Oracles that will give us guidance and direction in our lives who suddenly confused is released and suspended outside space and time. No field is presented then more favorable for the random encounters, however, in this context is hard not to notice as completely predetermined.

Unfortunately the pretext of the global war against terrorism, among other reasons, has made traveling by air and stay at the airport in a humiliating and stressful process that has deprived people of its ancient and unique charm, the only advantage of having the time saved in long journeys and a vague residue of the wonderful choreography millimeter of people and objects that work in them, the protagonists of a ritual dance rhythms slow and precise, which continues to fascinate strangely.

Against this, the old pleasure of the road trip, which feels like a pilgrimage or journey of initiation of ancestral echoes our time on earth, perhaps magnetized streams and underground fire at a prodigious eruption formed foundation at some point, according to tradition empedoclea Pythagorean origin, the stars and the cosmos through which aircraft travel today, re-gain followers with promises of slow tempos and auto-dialed to connect us with the cycles of nature and possibility of an adventure open to deviance.

Paul Oilzum

If you rent apartments in Florence you will receive upon arrival the city, in this case perhaps the least thing to worry is the transport used, it is in its unique microcosm that will your delicate trip start

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Translated by: Hans
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Amici della Musica in Florence

Florence is the capital of Tuscany, Italy, and it is known for its art and architecture, but it is also known for an exciting event that has existed since 1919: The Amici della Musica.

The History of the Amici della Musica

Since Florence felt the need to create a music center, the Amici della Musica was born in 1919. This association organizes concerts and cultural events. They are known for hosting very prestigious concerts both in Italy and abroad. The Amici della Musica features big names in the music industry. Oftentimes they include winners of different competitions. Originally the association intended to only host events for a select audience. As time passed by, however, they felt the need to cater to wider audiences in order to increase the number of those who appreciate classical music.

The Main Event

Starting this October 2011, The Amici della Musica will be holding concerts. The season is entitled Friends of Music. Lists of concerts were already lined up to serve visitors and locals with a taste for classical music. Starting in October 2011 and lasting until the month of April 2012, the grounds of Amici della Musica will be filled with music and music lovers. This event has been greatly anticipated by a lot of people who are thirsty for high quality classical music.

Amici della Musica and Its Composition

Amici della Musica has an ensemble that gives concerts in different formats. The ensemble is led by director Claudio Rastelli. It also includes other founding members such as Gabriele Betti, Paçalin Zef Pavaci, and Paolo Vergari. All driven by the love of music, these talented musicians were gathered in order to deliver great music and outstanding concerts.

Those who want to have an evening full of relaxing classical music should not miss the Amici della Musica in Florence. The whole month of November through the month of April will give you an opportunity to enjoy this amazing musical event in Italy. Your accommodations in Florence will allow you to enjoy breathtaking views of Florence and an event that will make your night even more romantic than what you originally planned.

D. Laney

Your apartments in Florence will be even more delightful when you take the time to enjoy Amici della Musica. Music lovers everywhere will enjoy the remarkable concerts at this event. Make time to relax in Florence by attending.

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Since its inception, the LGBT community has created various events, marches, happenings, different protest  options as well as information dissemination and educational meetings  to create a better dialogue with the dominant hetero  culture  which remains nowadays as the general sexual pattern in Western society.  Despite that there have been  many centuries of gay and lesbian knowledge and practices, the heterosexual community continues to dominate the planet. The presence of religious texts like the Bible as well as many other texts of a religious order, let us know that  the line of religion and political power have always been together. This is not new, certainly religious beliefs or faiths  of any creed are above any book, religion or faith. The church above all, “churches” have served as centers of education and control of prevailing political powers.

Let’s say that today, in Europe and elsewhere, governments have a secular tendency. But what is apparently “secular” does not necessarily mean “tolerant.” Think of recent bans in France with regard to the prohibitions to pray or pray in public, among others prohibitions. What will be the next step? And what happens if one is gay and Muslim at the same time? Again, faith is above any sexual orientation, but political and religious controls demonize this reality, deny it. It is clear that the Muslim culture is much more anti-tolerant to these options. However, the reality of the Judeo-Christian “Western” society is not so different.

The Catholic Church has always been a very strong in Italy. Where the Vatican coffers and retains all its inexhaustible sources of money, of which not much is said, and the fact is that the LGBT community is not necessarily appropriate. Over the years, this has been changing and it is increasingly recognized that the LGBT community is more than present in Italy this has been possible thanks to a large number of activists, protests, cultural events and celebrations that provide presence the ever emerging LGBT community. Among these options you have the LGBT International Film Festival in Florence, which runs from November 25th to December 1st. The best of gay , lesbian, queer, LGBT cinema, call it as you like is ready to be viewed and enjoyed. The truth is that there is difference, and the difference is what really counts. For more information, visit this site:

queer festival” href=”http://www.florencequeerfestival.it” target=”_blank”>http://www.florencequeerfestival.it

Alexa Ray

Get apartments in Florence and be part of this important LGBT film festival. Florence awaits you with its beautiful streets, history and artistic tradition. Perhaps one of the most romantic places remaining in old Europe.

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Translated by: Marc
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The documentary genre occupies at present the biggest amount of adepts, in Euope, Asia, Africa and America. As it happens, documentation in film complies these days a work of revision and re-interpretation which is greatly important and interesting, because it puts into play both historical question as well as gender, political and economical ones, as well as portraying characters, situations, events or spaces which are fundamental to have a much more dynamic understanding of the present contemporary society. In times of crisis and in which globalization has reached such alarming states but, at the same time, aesthetic, ideological and political ‘contamination’, the documentary untangles the details of the different movements on which contemporary culture is involved in today. And so, the scale of the documentary exceeds the regional or the context which is refers to, if it doesn’t attend to global problematics, in which a whole multiform audience participates and, of course, re-raises, questions and produces in the same way.

One of the most important festivals in Europe, the Festival Dei Popoli, in another interesting chance to deal with some of the new film proposals which have been carried out of late on an international level. And so, the Festival Dei Popoli explores new territories inside the documentary genre: experimental investigation documentaries, a crossover in which the genres mix and dilute. This festival expands the frontiers of the documentary genre, because, in the same way, it investigates the results of the encounters and dialogues, as well as the ‘contamination’ among films of different genres such as animation, fiction and experimental videos. The proposal of the festival is to maintain the event as some sort of constant ‘open laboratory’, with special emphasis on young directors and the most creative examples of the production of documentaries at present.

Among the exhibition at the festival, they’ll also present a retrospective of the Catalan director Isaki Lacuesta. This director already has 24 productions behind his back, which go from films to short documentaries which have been and are highly valued today. This will be the first retrospective dedicated to this author in Italy. Among the films which will be screened, will be ‘El cuaderno del barro’ (‘The mud notebook’) and ‘Los pasos dobles’. Another film by the same author which is worth mentioning is ‘La noche que no acaba’ (‘The never-ending night’), an intriguing tribute to the actress Ava Gardner and her love for Spain. The documentary genre is still getting stronger, and this Festival Dei Popoli 52 says so. If you’re curious about current film, its new techniques and the experimental possibilities in front of and behind the camera, don’t miss out on this festival in Florence, which will be great. For more information, dates, tickets as well as the complete film list which will be presented and its directors, visit the following webpage: http://www.festivaldeipopoli.org/

Alexa Ray

Get apartments in Florence and be part of this fabulous festival which is already celebrating its 52nd edition. Enjoy Florence and its beautiful streets as well as the best documentary film of today.

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Translated by: aleixgwilliam
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In an interview in 1988, Leonard Cohen made one of the most intelligent approaches to the figure of Bob Dylan- artist who will perform at Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence (http://www.mandelaforum.it/notizie.php?ID=483 ) next 11^th of November – that has been done before. In it, he compared the music and the paint worlds to conclude on one hand that his genius mind and the importance of his work can only be compared to those of Picasso (with respect to the exuberance of his talent, the wide spectrum covered by this unique, colossal, almost monstrous assimilative capacity of the legacy of the entire history of art) and on the other hand regretted that music critics continue anchored in a merely figurative approach that prevented him from appreciating the high degree of sophistication achieved by Dylan as a singer, his immeasurable talent as a composer and songwriter has seemed forever beyond any doubt.

The citation appears in the magnificent and highly acclaimed two-volume book, Paul Williams, Bob Dylan Performing Artist, from the very extensive and incomprehensible bibliography devoted to the enigmatic and elusive artist from Minnesota perhaps, one of the most unique and outstanding in the world. It is very difficult to talk about Dylan, first ,because it was hard to say something about him that someone had not already published before. His influence on popular music has been so extraordinary and so many of his albums in six different decades and two centuries deserve to be called absolute masterpieces, that paralysis occurs to anyone who tries to approach a study of his work that aspires not to be expendable. On the other hand, however, Dylan continues to be an impenetrable mystery who can only be approached in a multi-faceted and fragmented way, as he has always been presented himself, saying the richness of his multiple and elusive masks. That may not be least of the many virtues of I `m Not There, the Todd Haynes formidable film conducted four years ago.

Williams’s book is fascinating, because it brilliantly goes deep into a mystery through a precise prose that spread its enthusiasm to explore Dylan’s work not only through his official recordings but, above all, the registration of its endless activities, convinced after hear that almost all the best and largest of his work has taken place outside the confines of the recording studio in his live concerts, invested with an ephemeral quality that so very narrow links with the spiritual value always associated with the music and drama.

Famous, puzzling and astonishing is the magic of Dylan’s refusal to play the same song twice in the same way, which not only makes their incomparably exciting concert events but it raises key questions concerning the nature of the art, the artist and the public could experiment in live performances.

Paul Oilzum

For this European tour, Dylan will be accompanied by his powerful band and the prestigious Mark Knopfler, responsible for the distinctive guitar sound that adorned Infidels, one of the best Dylan albums in the eighties. Do not miss this concert if you rent apartments in Florence durings those dates.

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Translated by: Hans
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That the American artist Bill Viola bases one of his most recent exhibitions, ‘Going forth by day’, in ‘The Egyptian book of the dead’, exploring once more through a series of hypnotic and unforgettable projections and sounds the voyage that goes from birth to death, will hardly surprise anyone who is slightly acquainted with is extraordinary work. Although one shouldn’t rigorously do it,  if we look into the history of the brand and the place where the exhibition takes place, the Palazzo della Mercanzia in his idolized Florence, it could be more suprising to some that this work is used to inaugurate the contemporary art rooms of the new Gucci Museum, (http://www.gucci.com/us/worldofgucci/mosaic/think_forever/gucci_museo), with whose opening the last 28th of September, the Italian brand wanted to celebrate its 90th birthday.

As it could not be any different, considering the trajectory of one of the the greatest fashion brands in the 20th century, it’s a singular place which, on a curious and singular wavelength with the work of Renaissance artistic patronage of the city which it’s taking place in, it illustrates and reminds us these days of the wonderful exhibition ‘Money and beauty. The bankers, Botticelli and the bonfire of vanities’ at the Palazzo Strozzi, which observes a policy accordint to which three of the six euros of the entry ticket will be given to a fund whose aim is the preservation and restoration of the artistic heritage of Florence.

The Palazzo della Mercnazi, home of the offices of Gucci up until three years ago, also exhibits permanently in its upper floors, a very important part of the Gucci Archive, which allows us to see, in a continuous dialogues between the past and present, the ninety years of history of the brand, celebrated in style in the last Milan Fashion Week, with a complete success of its latest collection, inspired precisely, although it’s not been accepted as intentional from Gucci, in the 1920s, the time of the opening of the first shop.

One of the indisputable merits of Gucci seems to have been their capacity to adapt to circumstances. It wasn’t east to predict that, in 1921, when Gucci came back from London where he’d been working as a bellboy at the luxurious Savoy – a true flagship of British Art Déco -, and he set up his first shop of objects made of leather which were handmade in Florence, the name Gucci would become one of unavoidable references of 20th century fashion and, even less that, once he’d reached increased popularity in the times of Mussolini, he’d be able to overcome the lack of foreign materials due to the dictatorship and the way, substituting leather for linen, hemp and, above all, bamboo, because the bamboo bag designed in 1947 was the item which definitively consolidated Gucci’s status as the direct brand of the elite of glamour.

Paul Oilzum

The departure of the designer Tom Ford in 2004, responsible for the brilliant resurgence of Gucci in the 90s, has meant their latest new challenge. A more bohemian approach to the world of luxury and the opening of this fantastic museum seem to be their ways of facing it. Don’t forget to visit it when you rent apartments in Florence

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Translated by: aleixgwilliam
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Tattoo 2011 is one of the world’s most extraordinary convention that takes place in Florence from the 4th, 5th and 6th of November, bringing together 280 tattoo artists from the world to demonstrate new trends in the practice and discuss the philosophy that encapsules those who choose to make their body a medium of artistic expression

This year the organization has chosen as a meeting place the Fortezza da Basso, a historical site which was the largest fortification of the fourteenth century, nowadays an event center used for activities of international exposure.

Tattoos were used as a ritual of ancestral communities. The origin of the word tattoo is so old that its origin is lost. Some studies talk of a Polynesian origin that refers to the word “strike” which would refer to the practice of creating a tattoo or engraving into the skin, through the tapping of a bone against another  which creates a musical sound generated by the tau-tau of this rhythmic beat. In Latin tattoo is stigma, using the meaning of the name as a punishment, or as the mark of property, either being a slave or a criminal.

The earliest tattoos found, correspond to the Neolithic era mummies. A mummy was discovered in a glacier in 1991 with tattoos on his back and knees. There is also the discovery of the Egyptian priestess Amunet in charge of worshiping the goddess of fertility and love Hathor

Turning to more modern times, it was Captain Cook who brought tattooing to the west from his trips to Polynesia in 1771, imposing a culture among the sailors. Even the father of the King Juan Carlos of Spain, Don Juan de Borbon has one on his right forearm that he had  made following the customs of the British Royal Navy where he had been enlisted on

This tells us that tattoos are just another part of our life, whether you are commoner or more illustrious breed, we all like to take an indelible symbol and make it part of our skin to seduce the viewer or just give us an ornament on our favorite body part

Hence, the tattoo culture in contemporary society is no stranger, however, in societies as uniform as ours,  a tattoo makes a difference, defines us and gives us a stamp of identity

Today the technique and  tastes have become so sophisticated you no longer are required to use only one tattooing machine, there are also great artists sculpting on bodies their identity stamp, being recognized worldwide for their work, just as an expert recognizes a Picasso For this reason, these conventions are a true meeting of art and as the tattoo culture is part of the rock and roll culture, music will also be present to accompany this great event.

For more information: www.florencetattooconvention.com

Nancy Guzman

If you love tattoos and would like to learn more about this philosophy and see the new trends, come and spend a fabulous time at apartments in Florence and visit the IV Florence Tattoo Convention of 2011.

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Translated by: Marc
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The Marino Marini Museum and the Palace of Tau exhibit an interesting initiative dedicated to art lovers who want to make a “good deed” this year. The event is called “Between Heaven and Earth” and will take place between the 23^rd and the 27^th of October in the beautiful grounds of the Marino Marini Foundation, which is always committed to the development of contemporary art and its relationship with society.

This is a first edition, kind of experimental in a way, aims to unite in its spaces art and buyers in order to show solidarity with the world of art, regarding important social issues that are surround us. This event will also take place in Florence, and it will be simultaneously held in the cities of Bologna and Turin, which intend to gathered the three contemporary charitable auctions conducted by the prestigious Christie’s International.

The works in question, have been donated by artists and contemporary art galleries that have joined the cause, and have been selected by a scientific committee. Among the artists participating in this initiative are some famous celebrities: For example,  Gabriele Basilisk , one of Milan’s most famous photographers, and whose work – always made with analogue film – focuses on the landscape and architecture , We can also find Maurizio Cannavacciuolo (Naples, 1945) active in the international art scene since the late 70s, who currently lives and works in Rome, Marco Garofalo, young photographer born in Milan in 1976, he began working in the world of fashion and advertising, then devoted himself almost entirely to reporting and social photography, Flavio Favelli, born in Florence in 1967, now lives and works in Bologna, focusing his research on objects that are now unrecoverable as a reaction to serial production, it will also be exhibits the works of the Chinese artist Linyuan Wei, who currently lives and works in Italy.

Funds raised from this event will be returned to the Paideia Onlus, Foundation non-profit association dedicated to promoting global solidarity through culture and art, devising and carrying out projects that involve all ages and backgrounds. The Museum will be hosting the event, dedicated to the great Italian sculptor Marino Marini, is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of works of artists as well as being a space for contemporary art project development. The permanent collection of the Marino Marini Museum retains 183 works by the sculptor, made between 1901 and 1980, presented mostly chronologically. In addition, there are drawings and paintings belonging to the first stage of formal research training and the artist.

menschauser

So if you are interested in art and are thinking about making a solidarity action, do not miss the event “between heaven and earth”. We recommend you to rent apartments in Florence and come to enjoy a stay in the Italian city of art, drawing visit the exhibition.

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Translated by: Hans
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The antiques market is a very broad term. There are many and big companies or, shall we say, small companies who are dedicated to the market of buying and selling items from the past to sell them and re-sell them, thus creating international exchange markets of old, international products, which fit inside the field of art, sculpture, ceramic, jewelry, furniture and everything else which can be saved from past times. Like a treasure chest, the antiques shop preserves, keeps and renews all of these products with the aim of, once more, bringing the beauty out of them and the importance of history which is preserved in an object.

But further from the symbolic meaning of things, what’s really left? The antiques market certainly isn’t for anyone. If you’re a fan of old things, don’t even think about being part of this. It’s not about vintage, don’t be mistaken. Vintage, despite coming from the past, disappeared aesthetics which are back today, even influencing fashion, clothes, the creation of products and art, doesn’t have the necessary impact which is required to fit in the mark of antiques. Antiques however, the ‘true’ antiques, aren’t for a massive public but rather for a niche and specialized one. But behind the antique there might not necessarily be any type of historical value. Sometimes, it depends both on the design or on the number of items of the same design which are available. Regarding paintings, this is an already well known case.

This is the 27th edition of the International Biennial of Antiques in Florence. There’ll be at least 84 antiques shops, 74 from Italy and 10 from foreign countries, and it will take place in the Palazzo Corsini with a mis-en-scène that, also, will be unforgettable. If you visit this biennial bring quite a bit of money so at least you can take something back home. It’s funny to consider that in times of economic recession, there’s a market for all of these items and, above all, consumers for it. Galleries and museums can’t cope and they keep buying for their already immense collections. What happens is that the property in question of the collections, doesn’t just cover the field of purchasing power: whoever possesses a Van Gogh don’t just have an immensely expensive item but also a part of the history of art and, therefore, he acquires some sort of broader political-cultural status. It’s a question of pulling strings and to see who competes against what in the world of collections. The private collectors die in the long run, and have to give everything to the institutions: think that a museum is a large mausoleum with objects of people who don’t exist anymore.

For more information on this biennial, visit this webpage: http://www.biennaleantiquariato.it/

Alexa Ray

Get apartments in Florence and enjoy the magic of antiques and discovering people and characters who are involved in this gripping world. Further than the aesthetic experience, in the antiques you’ll find the bases of a prosperous business that can surely interest you. Don’t miss it.

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Translated by: aleixgwilliam
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