People

Ciao!!!

Wow this week was intense! Again, this week was our people shooting assignment...not my best but no one had extremely good luck with it. I've included some pictures I'm not quite done editing yet. We went to Burano (pictures of colorful buildings in next post) on Wednesday for photo. It wasn't the best place to shoot people unfortunately it was all tourist or angry Italians. But the buildings are gorgeous. Next assignment is shadow and light, which is great because I already have tons for it!!! 

Yesterday we switched gears in art history and discussed domestic architecture and HOW they built houses in Venice (considering they were building on damp sand). 

Venecians did research into what kinds of tree trunks and stone could resist water. Turns out the foundations of houses are layed in piles of larch tree (high sap content). Venecians would hammer the trunks into the sand down into the clay where walls would be built. Then Istrian Stone (water resistant) would make the foundation. Some of the nice palaces are made entirely of Istrian Stone, specifically the classical ones because of the white color. 

 It's cool to be able to look at a facade and be able to tell what century it is from based on the style of the pilasters, architectural members, arch shapes, materials, etc. The coolest facades are mixed; began by one architect and finished by another. Our art history professor calls these "schizo" facades haha. An example of this is San Zaccaria, which is close to PSM. 

The bottom floor is Gothic and decorative because it was initially being built by an architect Antonio Gambello but finished by Mauro Codusi, who studied classical antiquity. We also discusses family structure; the first born son and daughter got to marry off but any 2nd or 3rd daughter or son would join the church. Spirituality was forced on the nuns of S. Zaccaria. Kristina told us these nuns were "Bad" and would sneak out to be courted by men and to lead a normal life. 

We got to go inside Ca'D'Oro, which means house of gold. It was originally all covered in gold leaflet but now only grey and pink marble remain. In Venice in the 14th and 15th Century it was all about trading, seeing, and being seen. 1st floors were open to the water for trade, which also displayed a confidence that Florence didn't have. Open first floor arcades (also found on the Ducal Palace) demonstrated that Venecians weren't afraid of invasion. The rich only entered off the water...the streets were for the poor to walk on. In Florence, you're lucky to find an eye level window on the first floor. Florentines were afraid for their lives. Speaking of Florence, I am trying to plan a trip there next week. I'm also trying to make it to Milan but with all of these assignments the outlook is bleak for side trips. I hope they work out. 

Anyways, big group crit with advanced class (nervous) gotta run! Can't believe this trip is half over already ah!!!! Sorry the pictures never match the text art history and photo don't align and I don't bring my big camera with me everywhere.

Love much,

Sarah