I was in Milan for a few days…
researching materials at the Lineapelle trade fair.
But before heading for home,
I felt the need
to squeeze in a quick cultural fix
of inspiration,
and follow my curiosity.
Milan’s Piazza del Duomo has an almost irresistible draw.
Mainly due to the Cathedral.
Each time I visit the city,
I feel the need to go to the Piazza
and take in the view.
Impulsively,
the obligatory photograph
needed to be taken.
…
The sky was clear. Azure blue.
And yet the majestic side of the Duomo
the one that faces the Piazza,
the side I wanted to photograph,
was in shadow.
It was mid-morning,
too early in the sun’s arc.
The sun seemed to want to focus it’s attention
on a different building.
One of the supporting cast
in this particular Italian arena.
Giving a different edifice a chance.
Shining it’s light
on the Palazzo dell Arengario.
Calmly enjoying it’s own moment to shine.
…
The Palazzo dell Arengario houses the Museo del Novecento.
PROUD OF IT’S OWN BEAUTY
Standing stoically to one side,
housing the Museo del Novecento.
Restored with pride.
Comfortable in it’s own space.
No need to compare with the city’s
more famous architectural face.
Proud of it’s own beauty
and the art that lies within.
…
‘Colette’ 1933 by Filippo De Pisis; on show at the Museo del Novecento.
COLETTE
I’d never heard of Filippo De Pisis before.
But was eager to see what his work was like.
And even more keen to see
where my curiosity would take me.
…
Rounding a few corners of the exhibition,
and I find ‘Colette’,
one of Pisis’ works from 1933.
I wondered if it was the same Colette
that I’d seen in a film about her life…
it was.
A French author, actress and journalist,
nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948,
and the first French female writer
to be given a state funeral.
“Promiscuous in art and love,
an early adopter of weightlifting and facelifts …
Colette was way ahead of her time –
and no biopic has done justice to her complexity.”
wrote Aida Edemariam
(senior feature writer and editor for the Guardian)
in her review of Colette’s life.
…
LOOK PAST THE OBVIOUS
Sometime we need
to look around,
see past the obvious,
where there might be more.
To let ourselves explore.
Further than the famous,
to the not so loud.
Or the unassuming,
who may not court the crowd.
…
The Duomo di Milano, from a previous visit.
…
Heels worth wearing. Stories worth sharing.
…
Thank you for reading…
and if you feel so inclined,
please share with a friend
who may come to mind.
…
Have a beautiful night.
Anthony Stoker
…