Carlo Cattaneo

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Monument to Carlo Cattaneo by Ettore Ferrari, 1900
Via Santa Margherita
Milano, November 2016

“Cattaneo was born in Milan; he died in Castagnola, close to Lugano in the Swiss canton of Ticino, where he had spent the last twenty years of his life in exile. A republican in his convictions, during his youth he had taken part in the Carbonari movement in Lombardy. He devoted himself to the study of philosophy, hoping to regenerate the Italian people by withdrawing them from romanticism and rhetoric, and turning their attention to the positive sciences. In this period, Cattaneo met philosopher Giandomenico Romagnosi and he ‘was especially attracted by Romagnosi's emphasis on practical solutions and interdisciplinary work’. Developing some intuitions coming from his mentor, Cattaneo expounded his ideas in a review founded by him in Milan in 1839, called II Politecnico. He resided at the Palazzo Gavazzi from 1840 until 1848.” (Carlo Cattaneo, Wikipedia)

Spaccanapoli

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Central Saint Giles by Renzo Piano, 2010
St Giles High Street, Camden
London, September 2016

“Acclaimed Italian architect Renzo Piano is to literally brighten up the lives of Londoner’s on their way to Covent Garden from Oxford Street. Aiming to bring a sense of ‘joyous vibrancy’ to the area by Centre Point, he has proposed cladding 20 different facets of Central Saint Giles, a mixed-use development by Legal & General Property and Mitsubishi Estate Company, with red, orange, green and yellow glazed ceramic cladding. As the cladding is installed a striking new landmark will emerge defined by dramatic facades of primary colours which at first glance appear a bold contrast to this too long neglected corner of central London.” (Renzo colours London, World Architecture News)

Buddha's Hand

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Buddha's hand or fingered citron, at a spring trade show
Giardino dell'Orticultura (Horticultural Garden)
Via Bolognese
Florence, April 2017

“Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis, or the fingered citron, is an unusually shaped citron variety whose fruit is segmented into finger-like sections, resembling a human hand. It is called Buddha's hand in Chinese (佛手柑), Japanese (仏手柑), and Korean (불수감). The different cultivars and variations of this citron variety form a gradient from ‘open-hand’ types with outward-splayed segments to "closed-hand" types, in which the fingers are kept together. There are also half-fingered fruits, in which the basal side is united and the apical side fingered. The origin of this kind of citron is commonly traced back to the Far East, probably northeastern India or China, where most domesticated citrus fruits originate.” (Buddha's hand, Wikipedia)

Barcino

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“Barcino” by Joan Brossa, 1992
Plaça Nova
Barcelona, March 2017

“In the Plaça Nova, in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, almost touching the wall of the former Roman city, seven giant letters contrast with their historic backdrop. They are part of the alphabet created by Joan Brossa to spell out the word Barcino, the principal name of the Colonia Iulia Augusta Faventia Paterna Barcino, which was the origin of present-day Barcelona. The letters, six of them made of bronze and one of aluminium, are bolted to the ground and make up a fun and original display, very much in keeping with this Barcelona-born artist's visual poems. Although the letters spell out a single word, each one is a work of art in its own right, and as a whole they create an interplay with the perspective and their surroundings. Surroundings which are defined by the cathedral, the wall, and the reproduction of an archway from the Roman aqueduct, which begins to emerge next to the sculpture.” (Barcino, Turisme de Barcelona)

The Black Sheep

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“La pecora nera” (The Black Sheep) by ZED1, 2015
Piazza dei Tessitori
Genoa, April 2016

“Our friend ZED1 just sent us some images from his latest street work which took place on the lovely streets of Genova in Italy. Entitled ‘The Black Sheep’, the Italian artist created this signature piece of work showing one of his signature characters on his horse being lifted by a series of sheep. In this work, the black sheep is symbolized as an obstacle trying to drop the king on the ground. The meaning is that sometime even the smaller people can start a revolution.” (The Black Sheep, Street Art News)

William III of Orange

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Statue of William III of Orange by Heinrich Baucke, 1907
Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens
London, September 2016

“This large, bronze statue of King William III is located at the south gate of Kensington Palace. Designed by H. Bauke in 1907, this statue of King William III (1650-1702) was presented to King Edward VII for the British nation by his nephew, the German Kaiser Wilhelm II. It is inscribed with the words ‘William III of Orange, King of Great Britain and Ireland presented by William II, German Emperor and King of Prussia to King Edward VII for the British Nation. 1907.’ King William III chose to live at Kensington Palace because the air was cleaner than at Whitehall and better for his asthma. The statue's pedestal was designed by Sir Aston Webb, who designed the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace.” (King William III statue, The Royal Parks)

Roses

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Roses in the garden of the Palazzo Corsini al Prato
Via il Prato
Florence, April 2017

“Within its walls, Palazzo Corsini in via il Prato holds a garden of unmatched loveliness and tranquility. Breathtaking beauty leads you through lush green citrus trees, past imposing statues to finally lose yourself in a heavily shaded labyrinth. And the best thing: no one is there. Florence can be somewhat overwhelming at times, with hundreds upon hundreds of people simultaneously trying to catch a glimpse of the wonders this city has to offer. Don’t follow the crowds for a change. Instead, allow yourself to marvel at this quiet sanctuary that is far from the tourist trail.” (Hidden from view, The Florentine)