PH by Joan Porcel Pascual
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Glass Design: from the Furnaces of Murano to Renaissance Canvases (and back)
Let us take a special tour of the Accademia Galleries to discover the beautiful glass objects painted in some masterpieces of the Venetian Renaissance. You will find out that an artist like Veronese is copied by modern designers, and that some very ancient shapes are still produced nowadays in the furnaces of Murano!
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Peace Rose in the garden of a Venetian palace
The Peace Rose with its delicate ivory-yellow colour tending to cream with slightly crimson-pink edged petals is considered one of the most famous roses. Read how Mr Meilland bred the rose in France shortly before ww2 and how it survived being given different names. Admire it in a private Venetian garden.
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A brand new fancy clock for the glorious Republic of Venice
Since time immemorial men have tried to measure time in order to organize social life, but in the Middle Ages mechanical clocks became the protagonists in cities, and the one in St Mark’s Square of Venice, is certainly one of the most fascinating clocks of the 15th century.
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Shoemaking industry: an ancient tradition still alive in Venice. Stories of artisans, saints and maecenas
The history of the guild of shoemakers proves that in past centuries the presence of guilds in Venice was important for lower classes who thus became part of the commercial system of the city. Read about how the seat of these Venetian ‘calegheri’, shoemakers and how this ancient tradition continues still nowadays thanks to Mr Luigino Rossi in the museum of the Villa Foscarini and in several other activities.
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Walking in Venice on a ‘marble carpet’
Ancient Venetian floors resemble precious carpets made of marble and stone; the oldest examples with geometrical patterns or allegorical figures can be admired in the churches of Murano, Torcello and San Marco in Venice. Learn about Venetian ‘terrazzo’ and ‘pastellon’ floors, about the marvellous floors in Ca’ D’Oro planned by Baron Franchetti and about the modern floors with mosaics of Carlo Scarpa in the Querini Stampalia Foundation.
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Titian’s ‘Assunta’ in the Frari, a revolutionary manifesto
Titian is the undisputed genius of Venetian painting, considered to be one of the founders of modern painting. Taking a look at some of his works in Venice will not only provide us with a feast for the eyes, but will also help us understand the reason behind his fame.
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The Barnabò Garden: Thanks, dear Anna!
Savor the rich scents of roses and the kaleidoscope of colours as you glide past one of the most beautiful gardens on the Grand Canal. The radiant Barnabò Garden embodies Anna, the heart and soul of this gorgeous treasure, who carefully selected and arranged each and every one of its flowers.
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Summit on climate change
The problem of climate change is a very important one for Venice, because it is so strictly connected with the future of the city. At the beginning of March a summit was organized in Venice, regarding such a theme. In addition on the Giudecca island there is an exhibition going on ‘Artico ultima frontiera’, connected with such a subject. If you wish to have an idea of what was discussed and debated, read more…
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Gardens of Venice: the ‘Palace Gardens’
Discover the evolution of ‘palace gardens’ in Venice and their function over the centuries from mere vegetable gardens with fruit trees and vegetables to real botanical gardens with rare plants imported from distant places. Later on traditional gardens were replaced by English informal, romantic gardens where artificial elements were added to surprise visitors.
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‘Dressing the sea’: The tailor of nautical upholstery
It is very likely that visitors when in Venice will sooner or later enjoy a ride on a water taxi and admire from the water the city. In a second moment clients will realize the beauty of the shining varnishes and luxurious interiors of their wooden boat, the result of skilled hands of Venetian artisans such as Paolo Munari. He has dedicated his life to ‘dress the sea’ designing all sorts of nautical upholstery.
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