Day 13

Well today was most exciting when we took a trip to Verona. Verona is West of Venice and gorgeous! Saw some trees and flowers and grass again! haha Fun fact this is the town where Romeo and Juliet takes place and Where Dante's Inferno was written! Pictured to the left is a statue of Dante himself from a Palazzo in Verano! Cool yes?

Well the first stop on our tour was the most beautiful gardens! And since we hadn't seen much greenery in a while this was quite exciting. From the top you could see a wonderous view of the city! See the following video. There was even a maze of bushes, and I'm proud to say I made it through!

We then went to lunch and saw much of the Roman architecture since Verona used to be a Roman city. We tried to get into the colleseum, but they were setting up for an opera. Outside of the colleseum was saw a few street preformers and pieces of the set they were moving into the colesseum. We at lunch pretty good - Brek is not as good of a bargain as Ed cares to believe, but I'll eat as along as IU's paying (though since I payed tuition I suppose I really am paying).

We then went to Zino Basicilica which Ed was very excited about and was

saving the best for last as he said. He really wanted to show us the fancied carved doors (to the left. And I ust say that a fine piece of Mideavel work. I loved the look of the warm marbel. the Chrch was beautiful. It was fairly dim lit. you sit in the main section an see Crypt and the Choir at the same time. The crypt being down and the choir up. The pillars and wall were frescoed beautifully. THe unusual part was that some of the fresoces along the wall had graffiti carved into them. And it make me wonder how it's being cared for and how hold the names carved in are. OR even when they actualyl started caring for the church. Here's a video of me panning around the church.

Our day was concluded with a VERY long train ride home. I should have walked into the apartment at 7:30. But rather I walked in at 8:45. ah well...we made it.

We then continued the rest of our evening with some dinner, a deserved shower. Then we got ourselves gussied up and stalked Yoko Ono. lol No actually we had found some invitations to some ritsy concert in the Armenia Center in Venice and since one of the songs being played is dedicated to Yoko Ono we just assuemd she'd be there. So we wandered and found the place. It was by Campo de San Margarette, where we had gotten "lost" for Print making. Turns out this is where the Night life is and even saw the MICA kids there from Scuola. We went to the concert and it was played by this famous Pianist whose especailly known for palying the toy piano. I was expecting some sweet piano and toy piano duet action, but the she played a John Cage song. I had heard of John Cage, but never actually listened to any of his stuff. And in my opinion I wouldn't reccomend it. It includes parts in the music that say "pour glass of water". Frankly I almost fell asleep. Wouldn't recommend it. I try not to write of Modern art at first glance, but this was too far. Nonetheless I feel we snuck into celebrity status and even if you aren't a fan of Yoko Ono wouldn't you try and go to a party she'd be at?

More photos and trust me there are lots!

Day 12

So The internet went out last night otherwise you'd already know that, Shepar Fairey has been spotted in Venice. Last night when my friends Cristina and Alyssa went out on a run they met Shepard Fairey. That's right ladies and gentlemen Shepard F***ing Fairey. 

Today we had class blah blah... THEN! we went for a walk (not to self my short shorts in Venice attract much unwanted attention). Found the second Shepard Fairey mural, and hoped to see the man heimself... to no avail, but we did take some scraps of his work left behind...mwahahaha.  We peaked in at many pre-biannale art parties non- of which we coudl get into, but Cristina and Annie Lucky found invites to some swanky party...luck ducks. I did find a Yoko Ono Poster for her art show. It's a giant picture of her boob and it's deffinately goign to be hanging in out dining room.

PS I found a Pirate bay balloon, so they are totes goign to be here.

Day 10

Well the last todays have been fun filled days of class. We Critiqued our scrolls and it was nice seeing our porfessor Ed excited. I guess he's been afraid we weren't having fun, but now that he's seen how wee feel about our "journeys" in Venice he feels better. Dominicks was funny because up until recently he hasn't enjoyed Venice. He has been really homesick and just isn't fond of Cities, pigeons and especially Gypsies. lol

We are going ot turn our scrolls into Codexes. Mines goign to be a serpintine pages book with a non-adhesive cover. I'm pretty excited about it It's going to communicate the meaning of the imagery very well. Pics later! We also started mono-prints in Intalgio I kinda like it. Though I still need more practice.

I'm realyl starting to warm up to Ed. At first I thought he was kidn of mean but I find he is just a crazy old man with no tact. But he can be really kind as well. He is genuinely interested in his students, and if you talk to him there is kidness hidden beneath those silly New York Jew Yiddish terms and Stuck in the 60s art opinons.

Day 8

The evening before (after the friday excursion and such) Soem of us went out to Dinner. Got some pizza and just leasurely enjoyed our time together. Our waitor was amusing because when he came up, Will asked him how to say something. And the waitor decalred himself out teacher. He took the the time too flirt shamelessly with us and learn our names. I had a little arguement with him that I am Alysha not Alice (in italian it is pronounced Ah-lee-cha). Then after I hung on the second floor with the other half of the students here from IU (we are all one big family living on two different floors). I listened to Liv and Erin play. Erin has actually toured check it out (this is a live recording of one of the songs she played for us): Floatsam Wake Sorry for the bad quality.

Then began Our first saturday in Venice. Woke up at noon like any responsible college student. Then went to the Billa (groceries!). Along the way we saw people gearing up for the Regatta which is the following day. Boats everywhere needless to say. We came back and I ate food cleaning out the old food from the fridge. All I can say is I can get used to olive oil bread and cheese all the time, ahaha! Nom nom...

We worked on our homework most of the evening. THat night we tried to find Harry's Bar which apparently is super famous, and the students last year used to go all the time. But when we got there it was close. Note to take when in Venice Things don't open until 8 or 9 AM and close 8 or 9 PM. So some people bought a beer and we all sat by the grand canal and just talked before some us got tooo cold from the wind. We curled into bed and slept.