For the first time, I experienced a symphonic performance. It was held in St. Stephen Auditorium by the Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina, featuring violinists Marco Lorenzini and Kevin Mucaj. It may have had to do with it being a Florentine orchestra, but it was far more magical than what I had expected. Realistically, since having no previous experience to compare, I attempted to not have too high of expectations in case I got my hopes up. The only symphonies I’ve ever seen are in films (and I’m not really sure if that counts).
Galileo, as many already may know, is one of the most iconic pioneers in the history of modern science, even being heralded by Albert Einstein as “the father of….modern science altogether”[1]. One of the fields most impacted by his intellectual prowess though, was that of Astronomy. In this subject, he ended up disproving Aristotle’s theory that the moon had a smooth and perfectly spherical surface, revealing how it was instead riddled with craters [2]. But his most famous discovery was what changed the scientific world; that instead of the Sun and celestial objects revolving around the Earth, theEarth instead revolved around the Sun—a concept which is otherwise known as “heliocentrism”[2].After sharing evidence supporting this new revelation to the public, the Roman Catholic Church condemned him to live out the rest of his years on house arrest in a small villa in Florence[3].
We knew it wouldn’t be easy, but we didn’t think it’d be so tough. Under the hot Florentine sun and lack of water, we didn’t know if we’d make it. But we had to try. We had to make it to Firenze Rocks, the music festival running three days in Florence. But we were only going to be there for one, so there was no room for mistakes.
The common room of the Tasso Hostel – From The Tasso Hostel official Website
By Sydney Pogue
Nestled amongst the quaint, Florentine buildings on a sequestered side street off of Piazza Toquestro Tasso lies a Hostel. Opened in 2012, Ostello Tasso has quickly gained popularity from both locals and tourists alike. Boasting a beautiful theater space, 13 stylized rooms and even a garden, on first impression it would make sense as to why this hostel has gained such intrigue.
Traveling abroad for work, school or pleasure will inevitably have a traveler noticing differences between their home versus their placement. It is a classic case of culture shock, where the foreigner is unfamiliar with the lifestyle of their new temporary home. As a Canadian interning in Florence, I’ve had the chance to put this theory to the test myself. One aspect I assumed I’d notice differences in when it came to Canada versus Italy was the coffee lifestyles, and I had decided it was my mission to find the perfect cup of coffee in Florence. Perfect to me anyways.
I walk out of my apartment and stare directly into the bright sun. It’s the perfect day for a walk in Florence and in this walking city there is no shortage of places to travel. The sun is beating down and with a haze hanging in the distance I start on my daily walk. I step over the crooked walkways and cross the street, dodging cars and pedestrians alike.
I still dart through the thin crowds turning as I go into the rowing club looking for Alberto.
The small dark green door is easy to miss at first sight, but behind the doorway is something worth looking into. I walk down the wide stairs and open the glass doors below. The lady inside greets me, “Buongiorno!” she says. I inquire about Alberto, who has promised to meet me. She then tells me Alberto is currently out on the water. “Come back in one hour,” she says clearly.
I decide to spend my time strolling along the banks of the river.
Upon arriving in Florence, Italy as a study abroad student, it is easy to get caught up in the beauty of the churches and cathedrals, the smell of the croissants, the taste of authentic Italian food, and the feel of the air as you walk along the Arno River.
What we tend to have difficulty accepting though is our fifth sense, the sounds that result from the hustle bustle of the city, most particularly the emergency vehicles. Living near the hospital, my ears do not stop ringing from the sirens of ambulances that pass on the hour, and if I am lucky, I will get to hear church bells chiming at 4am as well.
These sounds caused so much annoyance for me that I actually forgot to appreciate the true sounds of Italian culture, its music.
Before I came abroad, I had a friend who pointed out her fondness over street performers, and little does she know that if it was not for her, I do not think I would have ever experienced the true sounds of Florence. These musicians, although all separate groups, are collectively so incredibly talented that they attract large paparazzi- like groups who video and snap pictures of their performance.
Jokes on them though because listening to these street performances does not require electronic devices, just ears.
Whether they are playing on string instruments such as violins or guitars, blowing into a trumpet, or singing, these artists deserve the attention of our ears. They are a true representation of the culture here in Florence as they liven up each street corner and square with their melodies and songs. Although this is a different take on music, especially because the way in which music is created and performed is different in each country, it is worth unplugging the headphones from your ears because experiencing tunes so authentic and natural will come few and far between in the future. Too many of us students get so fed up with sounds of the bustle of the city that we forget to enjoy listening to a large part of the Italian culture that is present around each corner for free!
Walking the streets of Florence can uncover many different experiences, the Giardini di Boboli evoke a similar idea, as down every pathway are new and exciting sights. My favorite place I encountered is known as the Knight’s Garden.
While heading towards this spot I was
encouraged to continue going up, past all the tourists that crowded around the bottom and up to one of
the highest look out points. After venturing off to the side and up a small
spiral staircase I encountered wonderful views, but not the ones I was
expecting to see. While I saw the mesmerizing familiar city line, the garden
offered something else too.
The Knight’s garden, a rooftop garden above
the fountains and ornate decorations, is a stepping stone between historic
Florence and the surrounding Tuscany countryside. The hills beyond the garden
flow freely as you get a panoramic view of the cypress trees and olive groves.
Sometimes, if the signs and food doesn’t remind you you’re in Tuscany you would
never know, but here up above the city you are reminded by the colors you see
in the hills.
You can spot many Italian villas nestled right
between the hills where you can imagine the simplicity only such a retreat can
offer. It’s a simple escape from the city, where you are connected to Tuscany
and the magnificent city of Florence all at once. The view will remind you that there is plenty more of
Italy to uncover as well.
The walls supporting the Knight’s Garden were
made by Michelangelo in the 1500s. When they improved the Gardens, they created
a villa for a knight, currently the Porcelain museum, and they added the
gardens as well. Beneath the gardens there is an irrigation system that helps to water the many
greenery spread around the hillside, it’s invention was one of the firsts of its
time. Standing in a space that was so integral to this society was humbling.
The plants surrounding the rooftop were not in
full bloom, but they were taken care of with precision, the gardeners just
waiting for the spring to approach and with it the new blossoms.
The fountain in the middle of the square was
also adorned with statues of monkeys, adding a mystic vibe to the scene.
Standing in the middle of such a unique place, I never wanted to
leave. When it finally became time to make the descent down through the rest of
the gardens I thoughtfully said my goodbyes to the panoramic view of Tuscany
and parted towards the city once more.
In one of the first rooms of Palazzo Pitti’s temporary Animalia Fashion exhibit, there’s a small sign stating that none of the clothes on display involved harming animals. However, the sign adds, the issue is still important to consider.
The exhibit, which showcases nature’s influence on haute couture, begins in a long hallway of narrow rooms. The couture pieces were blocked from admiring viewers by velvet rope and a raised platform, transporting the viewer to the runway stages that they made their debut on.
Each room is backdropped by a cloth sketch displaying the animals that the nearby pieces were based on. With some of the pieces the influence was obvious. For example a golden snake, placed on the back of a navy gown, is clearly inspired by the animal kingdom. Othertimes it takes a little looking to realize how the piece reflects nature. This is the case with another snake inspired piece, a vest with twisting tubes that reflects the animal’s movements rather than have direct snake imagery.
The clothes are a reflection on how nature both fascinates and terrifies us, with many sources for inspiration. A bridal-style white gown has graceful curves that would perfectly reflect the moonlight that inspired it. The prickily nature of the pufferfish is seen in boldly spiked jacket. No matter which direction the inspiration came from, it’s clear that nature has an impression on fashion.
This impact is felt both ways, but it doesn’t always result in something to be admired. Many of the rooms also display stuffed birds and insects in glass, reminding viewers of how fashion can cruelly collide with the natural world. From hunting animals for prized fur to environmentally harmful factories, nature and fashion can be a dangerous combination.
The exhibit showcases hypocrisy in the fashion industry. They take influence from the beauty of nature, yet play an active part in its destruction. The message of the gallery is the same one as the sign in the front of it: it’s important to reflect on how fashion can impact nature.
Animalia Fashion will be at Palazzo Pitti until May 5, 2019.
Finding the balance between appreciating detailed Italian pieces of metal and fighting the urge to throw away the key.
Upon my arrival in Florence, I was instructed to check in at the table my program set up in the airport in order to receive the keys to my apartment. Although the many hours of packing before leaving the United States combined with jetlag left me little time to ponder over being responsible for my own set of keys, it did not take long for me to realize that these little pieces of metal were what distinguished me as being a resident of Florence for the next couple of months.
Fast- forward to a couple of days later when I discovered that old, intricate metal keys were the only way to navigate through my apartment. Not only did I have two keys, which I used to fumble my way into my apartment everyday for the first month, I had a key to access the wardrobe in the living room as well as two other keys that allowed my roommates and I to enter the outdoor patio that is conveniently attached to our apartment. Those keys tended to be temperamental, so I had to choose which one I would use to fight with while going to war with the lock and door. In fact, all of them were a bit temperamental. Or maybe it was because they were placed in the hands of someone who has been swiping their ID into dorms and classrooms for the past three years. Either way, these old style keys are difficult to use on outdated pieces of furniture, so what was once thought of as unique additions to the apartment are now objects of frustration and annoyance.
Metal is largely part of the artwork here in Florence as it is seen welded into sculptures, onto the doors of apartments, or as rustic objects in older apartments, including the keys. I either find myself trying to embrace the old Florentine lifestyle with old keepsakes because these objects are actually beautiful pieces of history, or find myself on the verge of throwing down the keys that will keep me locked out of my apartment until used correctly.
