Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Old Art, New Art, and Glass

My two full days in Venice were spent getting lost, visiting art museums, and looking at tons of glass.

The Academia houses Venice's "old" art - mostly Venician artists from the Renaissance.  Even after spending a few hours in the museum, I still wouldn't be able to distinguish between a Bellini, Titian, Tintorello or Veronese.  I'm glad I never took Art History, because I might have failed.  However I did enjoy my time there, especially since there were cards in almost every room that gave me some insight into what I was looking at. 

After the Academia, I headed to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum of "new" art.  Modern art may be easier to distinguish the artist, but understanding the subject matter is beyond me. 
I invested a few Euro in the audioguide so that I could have some idea as to what the Jackson Pollack's were about and what Dali was trying to say with his crazy dream-like paintings.  Peggy Guggenheim had a few Calders (are you sick of reading about my obsession for him yet?), one of which was made out of glass.  I really wanted to take it home with me!


After a lot of art, I headed to Friari Church to specifically see a beautiful Titian and a Donatello wood sculpture (to complete my mission to see a masterpiece by each of the Ninja Turtles).  I ended up taking a half nap in the church becasue I was tired, it was cool, quiet, and safe - just what I needed!  My evening was spent in St. Mark's Square where the cafe's had 3-5 piece orchestras competing for the attention of tourists.  It was quite entertaining for about 20 minutes, but since I wasn't willing to sit at a cafe and order a glass of wine for ten euros, I moved on to a cheaper dinner and a relaxing night in.

My second full day in Venice was saved for a cruise down the Grand Canal on a vaporetto and the island of Murano, where they make Venician glass.  I headed to the Glass Museum first since a rainstorm was quickly rolling in, and it worked out perfectly that about five minutes after I got inside it started pouring, and it stopped raining about two minutes before I was ready to head back out.  The highlights were beautiful chandaliers, amazing designs molded into glasses and pitchers, and a room that served to give museum visitors information as to how they make the glass and create the colors.

I did a bit of shopping before heading back to a glass factory where they were giving free demostrations, and I saw these two men making a blue fish.  If only I could have gotten closer and helped...

Venice was a uniquely interesting city and I'm glad I was able to see it.

3 comments:

  1. Donatello was always my favorite Ninja Turtle! Which one did you like? Was it Leonardo? Awesome...

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  2. I love Venice! I'm so glad that you got to go there!

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  3. I'm glad you were able to maneuver in Venice. The police stations close at 5 p.m. I hope you did a Gondola?

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