I will always remember our adventure in Venice to Cannaregio where the term Ghetto actually originated from. This was yet another fun field trip today as we scurried around the city like rats in the night slithering along the sides of walls of the tall buildings, past other pedestrians and umbrellas, around corner after corner through some of the LONGEST and NARROWEST streets.
Quiet and away from the hustle of tourists and trinket shops we visited some of Nancy's favorite Venetian Artisans. Her friend Vittorio and Graziella were not in but I snapped a few photos through the window of the items in their shop. Notice the small bugs, bees, coral and other items in the picture; these are delicate hand blown glass. I was amazed that anyone could create something so small and intricate with human hands!
Just down the way, her acquaintance Gianni Basso, a printmaker was busy working away on his antique printing presses. He was kind enough to let me take photos and a short video of the process. He sets up the print letter by letter and then copies the pieces one by one, touching each piece. His workshop was filled with interesting antique printing shop items, an original Pinocchio drawing and stacks of hand written letters from all over the world. Virtually unconnected from modern day internet and fax, the only way to place an order is through the mail or stopping into his shop. He is famous enough to have provided hand printed books for Angelina Jolie’s children. The floor where he has stands day after day, year after year, have two worn spots in the shape of his feet.
A little further down the street I had the opportunity to meet the Venetian Glass Lamp Artisans. Nancy had purchased a lamp last time she was in Venice and brought a picture to share of the installed finished product on the other sideof the globe. Their craftsmanship is an incredible process as they create the wire frames and take them to Murano to have glass blown into the middle and expanding out the sides of the wire structures. One of the guys proudly holds up one ofthe red glass lamps, apparently a color that is very difficult to produce (I’mguessing the symbolism of the Red Goblet in the movie “Summertime”). I have a huge appreciation for these lamps and Venetian glass now. Twice today I heard that good quality Venetian glass is very durable, unlike stuff made in China.Look carefully at the wire and glass lamps in the pictures.
Out the door of the Lamp shop, I could see the main water from a new direction. As I walked down the sidewalk, I passed by some funeral stone shops, florists, and burial service providers. Another AH HA moment hit me as I lookedout the waterfront and into the distance to the Island of the Dead. Only the wealthy get a chance to rest in peace in this cemetery.
On our way back to San Marco we had our usual stop at a random cafe for a glass of....me wine/ Nancy prosecco....and our small little bacari’s, this timeI had salmon lox-delicous! Next was the gigantenormous Santi Giovanni e Paolo church a stop at the middle of St. Marks square to see if the seagulls were still swimming in all the water.
Just down the way, her acquaintance Gianni Basso, a printmaker was busy working away on his antique printing presses. He was kind enough to let me take photos and a short video of the process. He sets up the print letter by letter and then copies the pieces one by one, touching each piece. His workshop was filled with interesting antique printing shop items, an original Pinocchio drawing and stacks of hand written letters from all over the world. Virtually unconnected from modern day internet and fax, the only way to place an order is through the mail or stopping into his shop. He is famous enough to have provided hand printed books for Angelina Jolie’s children. The floor where he has stands day after day, year after year, have two worn spots in the shape of his feet.
A little further down the street I had the opportunity to meet the Venetian Glass Lamp Artisans. Nancy had purchased a lamp last time she was in Venice and brought a picture to share of the installed finished product on the other sideof the globe. Their craftsmanship is an incredible process as they create the wire frames and take them to Murano to have glass blown into the middle and expanding out the sides of the wire structures. One of the guys proudly holds up one ofthe red glass lamps, apparently a color that is very difficult to produce (I’mguessing the symbolism of the Red Goblet in the movie “Summertime”). I have a huge appreciation for these lamps and Venetian glass now. Twice today I heard that good quality Venetian glass is very durable, unlike stuff made in China.Look carefully at the wire and glass lamps in the pictures.
I have to say the printer is amazingly awesome! I would have loved to see the Pinnochio drawing.
ReplyDeleteIf you hadn't told me the process for the lamp making, I would have known what to look for. I still don't understand how the glass doesn't "rip" when it hits the frame. Just incredible.
Great pictures Shelli! Oh and the bees with the honeycomb! I cannot believe that is made of glass. I can't even draw something tiny let alone make it bout of glass.
Wow!