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Art and Photography of ItaliaFrom This EraBy Spencer Judge

Italy is a nation of art history and beauty. Tourists flock to cities and sites to experience the ancient art and architecture. It is difficult to build infrastructure in certain areas without digging up some type of ancient ruin or tomb.

So you may be asking yourself, how is one little digital magazine going to cover the art and

photography of all of Italy?

Art of Italia has a strong focus of photography and art from this era, and more specifically, this century. If you wish to learn of the Ancient history of Italy, pick up a tour book. If you appreciate the finer aspects of modern art works, sculptures, graffiti,

and photography, simply read on.

Keep in mind the author of this publication is no art history major, no artistic connoisseur whatsoever; just a student of the world with an eye for what’s great.

Sebastião Salgado’s Bird in Flight. Photo taken off the coast of Argentina.

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I had stumbled across the mysterious hands of Como, Italy as I blindly exited the train station and searched for the youth hostel I was residing in that night. To my delight, I came across this majestic sculpture of two hands, one completely outstretched and the other cupping just below.

The city of Como is a part of Lombardy, Italy and is located on the southwestern most tip of Lake Como. The beautiful commune of Como is borders Switzerland and the Alps.

There was not much information regarding who created the piece, when, or for what significance. The only accompanying plaque was in Italian so I noted to do some research later on.

After doing my homework, I discovered that this art piece is dedicated to disabled military members and servicemen. The outstretched hand represents serving Italy in defense of it’s institutional values, while the other hand symbolizes those wounded while serving.

Unlike most sculptures and monuments found in Italy, you are more than welcome to sit, stand on, or even high five the giant hands of Como.

Monumento ai Caduti per ServicioThe Hands of ComoBy Spencer Judge

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The Hands of Como Symbolize Italy’s appreciation for those wounded in the line of duty.

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The Dali’ Universe Sorrento

The exhibition, dedicated to the Spanish surrealist, boasts an immense collection of Dali’s sculptures, graphics, collages, and even furniture. These fascinating artworks will never lose their appeal.

The jaw dropping artworks are accompanied by an educational experience. Informational plaques and stands will reveal and explain the

though process and symbolism behind the famous artist’s works.

The exhibition opens it’s doors Monday through Friday from 10:00 to 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. On weekends, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. One ticket costs 5 euro, but groups larger than 20 are offered discounted 3 euro tickets.

Salvador Dali’A Temporary Exhibition in SorrentoBy Spencer Judge

Anyone exploring Sorrento will come across the Piazza Veniero. And anyone who comes across the Piazza Veniero from the months of June to September will find this iconic sculpture. This replica of world renowned Salvador Dali’ works stands tall in the Piazza Veniero to promote the coming of The Dali’ Universe exhibition to Sorrento.

Dali’s work receive great admiration today although they were

created during the heart of the 20th century. This particular statue is clearly his trademark melting clock, depicted in his most famous painting, The Persistence of Memory.

Even those uneducated in art history, such as

myself, will recognize the surrealistic style of Salvador Dali. As for inside the exhibition itself, well, that is for you to discover.

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“Intelligence Without Ambition is a Bird Without Wings”

Salvador Dali

Salvador’s Surrealism You will walk away from the Dali’ Universe Sorrento with a new understanding of Dali’s symbolic artworks and the surrealism style.

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World renowned, master photographer and photojournalist, Sebastiao Salgado, currently has an exhibit in the Museum of the Ara Pacis, in Rome. The Brazilian photographer is recognized for his long term dedication to his works, spending years compiling just one project. His most recent project, Genesis, is no exception.

Genesis took Salgado eight long years to complete. He traveled to each continent to photograph animals, humans, and nature. All of

the photographs are developed in black and white and are quite amazing.

The wildlife and primal civilizations that Salgado documents will surely shock you and open your eyes to what is out there to discover. The Brazilian icon describes Genesis as his “love letter to the planet.”

It would be most foolish to miss this exhibit if you are currently traveling Italy.

Sebastiao SalgadoAra Pacis ExhibitBy Spencer Judge

“I don’t want anyone to appreciate the light or the palette of tones. I want my pictures to inform, to provoke discussion”Sebastiao Salgado

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Sebastiao Salgado

Train Car GraffitiSightly VandalismBy Spencer Judge

In my experience, most of Italy has a vandalism problem, similar to the United States. Walls near ruins are covered with simple tags and signatures. We were informed that this was simply the doings of teenagers with too much free time on their hands. We were told not to fear we were walking through any sort of gang territory.

To me, graffiti is intriguing. To me, graffiti is most definitely a form of art. It can compliment a structure, it can be beautiful and expressive, and it speaks to people differently. What I do not appreciate are mere tags of people’s names, alias’s, etc. Tagging involves little to no talent and ruins the extravagant graphics that a true graffiti artist creates.

The metro and subway cars of Italy are often covered in graffiti similar to this photograph. Although you can see the mediocre tags, there is a large graphic below containing multiple colors, shading, and more. Clearly, the artist, or vandal, spent a great amount of time creating this work.

As you travel on the metro, you will notice the artwork style changes as you move from region to region. Although it is all graffiti, and considered vandalism, the works vary in color and size. It almost appears as if certain stations allow graffiti artists to decorate their buildings.

True graffiti artists of Italy put great effort into their art, and I don’t see how this makes them any less than artists you may view in a museum.

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Metro Colosseo Graffiti found on a subway car by the Colosseum in Rome.

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