Thursday, 20 February 2014
Thursday, 13 February 2014
ITALIANAMERICAN (1974): 13.02.2014.
"Italianamerican" is a short film produced by Martin Scorsese in 1974. It focuses on his parents stories of immigration to New York and their early life and is a charming insight into what a lot of Italians had been through but also the topics discussed are an interesting view of what life was like back then. Topics such as religion, ancestors, their origins, and life in Italy after the war are all brought up and spoken about in a way that only Scorsese's parents could have. The film also includes his mothers meatball recipe featured during the credits of the film.
The whole setting and the way they spoke about their lives reminded me a lot about my own grandparents and stories they have told me. I'm planning a trip to Italy during April so that I am able to take more photos but after watching this maybe a film might be something interesting to play around with. Even if I just use stills from it to work with could add something different to my collages.
SPEAK ITALIAN: THE FINE ART OF THE GESTURE: 13.02.2014.
This book was recommended to me by one of my tutors, Peter, during one of my crits. I'd never come across it before but I'm glad I was told about this! It was written and put together by Italian artist and designer, Bruno Munari and essentially it is a visual diary of well known Italian hand gestures accompanied by their meaning.
There are plenty of stereotypes that revolve around Italy but I feel that these (sometimes) lighthearted jokes and jests are about certain aspects which play a fundamental part within our culture. Yes we love food, yes are hands never stop moving and yes we're loud! But these traits are something that Italians, including myself, feel very proud of. What I really enjoyed about this book is that it highlights something which embodies Italian vigour so well through the simplicity of hand gestures. This has made me think about what I would like to show through my work for this project because I feel that there are so many things that are personal and part of who I am and its all very overwhelming. My next step will be to make a list of everything that I think represents Italy for me alongside what it may represent for other people. This should help me create small headings/themes to work towards so that my work makes more sense visually to others viewing it.
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