Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Affirmation

I went to see Paolo Vigevani's photography exhibit at the Scavi Scaligeri.

The cubes and wonderful violet carpet
were left over from the opening
which I couldn't go to due to another social event.

I went with a photographer friend. We had some great discussions about the pieces, the industry and the fact that "everyone" is a photographer these days.

Vigevani had many shots of people, as if he was spying hence the name of the exhibit Quando L'Occhio Diventa una Spia (When the Eyes Become a Spy)... I wonder if some of his subjects were staged.

Il fotografo del traghetto
New York, 2000
I love the look the subject is giving us.
I love the colours.
I love the lines.
I love the three male images.

I can't see many of his shots being allowed today due to privacy issues. I think we'll see less and less candid-people shots which is too bad.  In the 1950s, Fred Herzog, a Canadian photographer, documented life in Vancouver. His work is full of great candid shots. TVO had a great documentary on him which aired Fall 2014.

Vigevani's exhibit is on till May 10, if you're in the Verona neighbourhood.

One of the things I got out of his exhibit is AFFIRMATION for my own work, for my own eyes and what I see. I felt good that some of his works were things I have photographed.

mine
2013

his
Riflessi
2000
Or how about these:

mine
2009


his
Décollage
2011

To me, it was a YES you are on the right track. YES you have an artistic sense.

(ps My computer isn't liking this relocation (although I am!). I can't receive or send emails from Italy at this time. I will answer emails as soon as I can.)

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Back In Verona

This is the view I see when I walk towards Verona's city centre.



I arrived last week. I went directly from the airport to a meeting about Verona Tessile. Things are coming together nicely for the event in May!


Today, we were interviewed for television clips and promotional videos.

See that Dear Jane quilt on the left?
There are several books in there made
by the Canadians who  participated in past Verona Tessile events!
It will be exhibited at this year's event.

It was a fun morning full of laughter...it's the usual here!

Monday, March 16, 2015

Sunday Walk

I love having Sunday walks with my family.

Snowcone (detail)
installation by Lily Jeon, Diana Koncan

Last weekend we enjoyed the sun and went to the Beach in the west end of Toronto.

The beach in Toronto
(yes that is snow on the left)


It felt odd walking in the sand with my winter boots!

Wingback (detail)
Installation by Tom Olson


There were some interesting installations around the life guard stations. They were meant to attract people to the Beach during winter months.


They were perfect sanctuaries from the cold winds coming off Lake Ontario.

Hotbox
installation by Nicholas Croft and
Zone Six Design Build Landscape
Architects

Nice day together.


Saturday, March 14, 2015

Knitting Art

My daughter was passing by Roubaix, France, on her way to Antwerp this weekend. She knows I have been knitting lately and sent me these photos.


Wool War One
2014
Délit Maille
A war in wool made by 1000 hands
Silent and pathetic story of nine million
crushed tiny lives (translated from french)

She stopped in at La Piscine Museum. Amazing place she said!


For me, knitting is at a hobby level. My mom taught me how to knit when I was 6 years old. I returned to this craft for a few years when I was 20 and again starting 2 years ago.

Below are some of my recent knitting 'achievements'!

Glenna C. patterns



The three patterns above by Kate Atherley.
You can also find her patterns on Ravelry.

I have noticed in Italy that the quilting trend has been pushed aside to make room for knitting.

Monday, March 9, 2015

Dancing Woman

A 15-minute postcard.

I like it. There is movement.

I can feel her leaning back and swinging the fabric across her body.

I wrote a thank-you on the back and gave it away.

"Dancing Nude"
4" x 6"
fabric scraps, tea bag, thread drawing