three hours at the MACRO

The MACRO Museum, the Museo d'Arte Contemporanea Roma, has a few things worth talking about.

'While Nothing Happens' is an installation that arrived at the Macro in 2008. The installation which was made up of fabric, wire, and varying spices, and perhaps a little paint as well, was created for the MACRO by Brazilian artist, Ernesto Neto. ..  In regard to the visual concept, the piece looks like a drop dripping, like something that's evolving, or blossoming into something other. As for the smell, yes the installation has a strong scent of mixed spices. And although smelling the spices was met with discouragement, the aroma of nutmeg and paprika was picked up.



The Piccolo Animismo, another piece, was made by  Arcangeelo Sassolino, and it will be at MACRO until June 12th, 2011. As seen in the photo there was a tube connected to this piece. The purpose of tube was to deliver and vacuum out these violent bursts of air, which it did successfully. When the air went on, it created a booming sound that could be heard all over the museum, that muted out every thought that wasn't related to that steel box. (It made me say aloud: "Ooo there's a devil in there.") Also, when the air went on, the walls creaked of the box expanded where it could.

When looking and hearing this piece, one can could think up a number of theories. The anger of the world, or that lazy neighbor who refuses to mow their lawn. That's how it goes, meanings get split by minds. Which is why the informational notes are helpful.

Sassolino's explanation was: "'Everytime I'm on a plane, I wonder how much stress the wings can withstand knowing sooner or later any material is bound to collapse as a result of mechanical stress.'" So, "'Why not push these limits of matter against matter -- of air against steel; pressure on metal; tons of weight on the weldings -- and why not stretch the limits of the matter by bringing out the unforeseen as form and sound? Sounds are often produced by friction, impact and the yielding of materials. Sometimes even the most impassive blocks, things you'd never suspect turn out to be lyrical.'"

In Antony Gormley's space works of iron were noted. It seemed these works were people who were molded by their daily circumstances, in my opinion.

 

Naples

Galleria Umberto

What outsiders say about Naples: There’s good pizza, coffee, and watch out for the pickpockets.

What Italians, the non-Neapolitans say: You’re going to Naples? Why you like garbage?”  Or, don’t trust the Neapolitans, they are funny and false.

Perhaps there is an amount of truth to these generalizations, but the point of travel is to see past or through those ideas, to see that the pizza from Naples is set apart because the Neapolitans use more dough than Rome, Venice, and other regions of Italy. And sure, there are piles of un-tidy trash around, especially near the train station, but the garbage is the spark of a conversation. The story behind that is that the politicians/mobsters (Mobsters is to be read in a hushed tone.) prevent the garbage from being taken away as they pocket the money they receive for that problem.

Onto other things...

Wandering the streets of Naples is much like walking through halls of stranger’s homes due to the personal items of clothing that are hung out to dry on clothing lines above head, or on window sills.

In regard to wandering, one must be alert because the mostly helmet-less moto drivers do not stop at side street intersections. They slow down and tap on the horn, which in turn creates a friendly beep sound that is nearly undetectable when it’s competing with the other general noises and voices of the city. So you may want to watch your step.

Which voices am I speaking of? The Neapolitans are constantly outside talking to each other about the weather, or bread, or someone’s ill Nonna. And when they’re inside their houses they continue to converse with each other through towels and wet socks with others on the street from their windowsills. “Get four eggplants!” --- “Okay!”

Indeed, Naples has an energy. If the energy were a person, he/she would be that person who tells a funny story with their mouth full of food. Or, that person who is willing to shout over the person beside him/her in order to be heard, not negatively, more like if I talk louder someone, anyone, will have to hear a least three words I say. 

(Left)  Anancino (Right) Mozzarella 

When it comes to food Neapolitans like to experiment with frying, they commonly fry things like pizza dough, macaroni cakes, cattò di patate (balls of mashed potatoes), buffalo mozzarella cheese, and their version of the arancino  (Balls of rice, cheese, and tomato sauce.)

As for a last observation, there are an uncountable number of people who live in the center of the city who have converted their garages into studios or extra rooms. Which is technically illegal or creative, it really depends on your own point of view. I'm going to go with creative. 

Sushi-Sushi

Someone told me to check out Sushi Sushi, so I did.

Once there I found an Italian couple behind a sushi bar, who seemed to be married for about 40 years. (Some agreements have a specific presence, it was a good presence.)  When I walked around I saw a sushi bar, I saw sushi accesories: knives, plates, soy sauces, all products for a sushi picnic.

In the boutique section of the shop, there were purses, scarfs, necklaces and ear rings made out of treated paper, tea pots, lamps, and kimonos. I asked Marina, the wife, where the merchendise was from, she explained that all the items are from different places. One necklace was made by an Italian, another necklace was shipped in from Japan. The lamps are from Brazil, the scarfs were hand made by a  Japanese couple that she met in Paris. It's a -- everything has some sort of story -- place.

(Right) Necklace

This is a special place. And yes I have to go back for that necklace.

Beatification

At 2:27 a.m. (5/1/2011) I saw groups of people walking around with crosses and torches. I immediately thought, this is for the Pope. Since a week ago photos of Pope Paul the II went up all over the place, and ever since, Rome has been humming about this Beatification business. (Beatification: A ceremony for being one miracle away from Sainthood.) Yet, when I asked who I was with what was going on he said, "They're going to the sancutuary." .. When I asked other questions, I learned that believers gather every (every) Saturday night during the summer at the center of Rome to march (An hour walk.) to the Santuario del Divino Amore (The Sancutuary of Divine Love) as a sign of devotion to Jesus.

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