Archive for July, 2015
My Father’s War – Part 3 Posted by Serena on Jul 30, 2015
Here is part 3 of my father’s war memories in which he recounts being taken prisoner during the final retreat in North Africa. If you haven’t already read them, here are Part 1 and Part 2. Aprile – maggio 1943: terza e ultima ritirata da Bengasi fino alla Tripolitania. La battaglia finale è stata al…
Three Young Italians And A Black & Decker Drill Posted by Geoff on Jul 29, 2015
Having written part one of the story of Modigliani’s lost sculptures I had intended to simply recount the unexpected outcome of the affair, and the consequent storm it created in the art world … until I discovered someone who could do it in a far more entertaining way: The ingenious Italian rapper Caparezza. Click on…
Who Is Mica? Posted by Geoff on Jul 27, 2015
… or more to the point, what is mica? Mica: a group of sheet silicate minerals Multimedia, Information, Communication & Applications Multidimensional Independent Component Analysis Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance Maryland Institute College of Art Mica: a word that you hear Italians use a lot but are never quite sure what it means Mica is, in fact, all…
Modigliani’s Lost Sculptures Posted by Geoff on Jul 23, 2015
Thirty one years ago, the art world was rocked by the sensational news that three ‘lost’ stone heads by the Livornese artist Amedeo Modigliani had been dredged up from the Fosso Reale canal in Livorno. These unique sculptures immediately became the centre of media attention, and attracted art fans and tourists alike to the Tuscan port…
Il Duo Diabolico Posted by Serena on Jul 22, 2015
By Serena, with English translation by Geoff E’ silenziosissimo, il Duo Diabolico, non ti accorgi assolutamente della sua presenza finché, all’improvviso, non senti il twang della chitarra. Allora ti volti e li vedi tutti e due lì, avvinghiati in una morsa d’acciaio che compiono acrobazie degne dei più grandi atleti di lotta greco-romana. Il loro…
A Hot Summer’s Afternoon In Italy Posted by Serena on Jul 20, 2015
Today, as is our custom, we got up at six o’clock and, after a quick breakfast, set off for a walk in the early morning freshness. As we walked up the mountain road towards the picturesque village of Pracchiola, constantly surrounded by the strident screeching of cicadas, I gazed up at the intense blue cloudless…
How To Ask People Their Opinion In Italian Posted by Geoff on Jul 16, 2015
Earlier this week we looked at some of the common ways in which we begin to assert our opinions in Italian. A conversation, however, is a two way thing, and we also want to find out what others have to say. Let’s see how we can turn things around and ask our Italian friends and acquaintances what…