US TO EUROPE EXCHANGE RATES...

suck! My calculations were waaaaay off. No bueno.

DOWN TIME CAN BE DANGEROUS...

In between June 7 & 8

That is, if you can call it down time... I wander, and a lot. If I'm not contemplating my next move on this project, I'm wandering – discretely carrying my camera around catching any unique moment. 

red

speaking of red... wine

Absolutely adorable child. 

Found some gloves in the window she really needed to have

put a bird on it

shrooms, dude

dudes

Uncommonly rainy since we've been here. 

Cute kids in their galoshes. 

(shout-out to pops for hooking me up with shnazy raincoat)

THE UBER INSIDE SCOOP

I'm not the only one keeping tabs on the group... We've had a paparazzi-style crew keeping up on our every move throughout this journey.  Get some inside insight on some of the other kid's experiences here: SVA Masters Workshop in Italy (yes, those are my hands in the letter press photo – hot... I'm thinking about becoming a hand model.)

WHAT NOT TO DO IN VENICE

hotdogs  on French rolls... umm nope.

RIALTO MARKET

Tuesday June 7


Today, a 30 minute walk into the heart of Venice to the famous Realto bridge & then on to the daily open-air market.

dreamy

I don't even have to hear them speak, they just look so cool & Italian

amazing selection of produce

love

so far my favorite bakery/pastry shoppe... minis of everything. When I speak of

over-indulging, this is where it happens.

Monday June 6

We began with a short introduction to the Venice portion of the project, conducted by the one and only Louise Fili – a beyond wonderfully talented designer that I have admired for as long as I can remember. Elegant in her demeanor & classically whimsical in her designs. è così bella!

We began our first Venetian journey to Gianni Basso's letterpress print shop. Winding through the crevices they call streets, we met Gianni and his apprentice son in their tiny shop. Gianni, a kind sole with a giant smile from ear to ear, so gracious and so proud to have us in and show us around his centuries-old printing machines, alphabets and stacks of stationary, business cards, type specimens and beyond. 30+ years of work and a timeless style he's done work for the likes of Joan Rivers, Paul Rand, AND I even managed to find a University of Kansas business card he was re-designing... The world needs more Gianni's. 

From there we walked to the nearest gelateria along the water and shared ideas for our project... guess what, I'm doing mine centered around food. Go figure. 

Gianni's studio – curiosities everywhere

the man. the myth. the legend. Gianni.

details

details

...and more details

couldn't leave Venice without a cat photo

Zaynep and Brynly

A SURREAL SUNDAY MORNING

Sunday June 5

View from the boat taxi, on my way into my port in Venice

Immediately left hotel upon my arrival to go wandering... 

ran into a vintage/antique sale

love the architecture here

uncanny shot

my gelateria

Our classroom, well, one half of it. Some of my classmates. 

We're also being documented by local Italian art students. 

Kind of feel a little famous... but not. 

View from the other side of the classroom. Amazing. So surreal.

and of course, the food!

As I'm very sure you've noticed, I've done a poor poor job of keeping up with this... Can you blame me? We really have very little time in front of the computer and when we are, we're designing. I will do my best keeping things in order. May get a few days at once when I have a spurt of time...

Sunday I arrived in Venice. Took a boat taxi from the hotel where I was staying to Zattare; a lovely stop about 90 minutes along the way. The people here know enough english for me to get by, however I’m finding I’m learning very quickly. The phrase of the day Sunday was: dov’è______ (where is ______). 

As I arrived at my hotel, Belle Arti, there was a hand-written note waiting for me. Quite lovely. Flet as if I was on a secret adventure. “...meet in the hotel garden and we will walk to the San Gregorio...” I had 2 hours to waste before orientation. I immediately dropped my luggage and bolted out the door – beyond excited to start exploring this curious city. A veggie panino and some chocolate mint gelato were what awaited me. That, and a  street sale – as in the authentic, Italian-antique market.  

Time was running out, so I scurried back. Believe it or not, I was gone the whole 2 hours, wandering & winding through the streets amlessly by myself. I doubt you’d believe me if I told you, but I didn’t get lost. Found my way back without a stutter. Psh, I was made for this city.

Met the group & they are all wonderful. All ages from all over the world; Canada, New Zealand, Turkey... Surprisingly very few from NYC (where the school is based). Did an introduction, drank Prosecco & ate all the fabulous food you see photographed above. Not a bad orientation if you ask me. Now, why didn't they do this for undergrad?

Ciao, Ciao!