Blending newsletter apr may 13

NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 3 - YEAR 3 | PALAZZI/FUA | APRIL-MAY 2013

Photographs by Adelina Antal

BREAKING NEWS

CAPANNELLE EVENT: A GREAT SUCCESS FOR APICIUS Blending has been covering the event development and staging of the Apicius weekend takeover of Capannelle Wine Resort. The event was a great success for both the wine producer and the school, and we interviewed the project coordinators Nora Tackacs, Marika Pierguidi, and Livia Le Divelec. Also featured are two students recognized for their outstanding performances, Brett Romberg and Ana Maria Mendez. Both were awarded an internship at Michelin-starred restaurants in Tuscany, respectively at Ora d’Aria and Arnolfo.

By Blending Staff

BLENDING

What were the greatest challenges of the 3-day wine resort management?

N: The greatest challenge was managing group work in the different teams. People from very diverse backgrounds and cultures had to find a balance. Thanks to the professionalism and enthusiasm of the students, we were able to overcome the difficulties.

L: The challenge was making the students understand that they had to be active in every moment despite being tired and that their activity couldn't be limited to their specific sector.

M: Keeping the adrenaline and attention high for the three days of the event. Having to coordinate the different aspects of the event, it was challenging to manage logistics, motivate students, and make sure that everything was spot on.

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The most rewarding aspects?

N: We felt a lot of satisfaction both for the work of the students and for the compliments coming from our guests. Hospitality is a field in which practical experience is fundamental, the dinner guests where charmed with the idea of the event. Students were very happy to see the result of their work and of their career choice.

L: My greatest satisfaction was seeing the blossoming of all the efforts. A specific example is the guided tours to winery’s vineyards and wine cellars.

M: To get to day three, look back, and realize that the event, organized with commitment and dedication throughout the semester, was a great success. It’s wonderful to see the students motivated, and hearing the sense of gratitude and fulfi llment in their words is priceless.

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How were the guest relations and interction?

Did the team receive particular feedback from the guests?

N: The guests had to fill out a very detailed evaluation sheet, so that we could have precise feedback from the arrival point till the end. There was also the criteria concerning not only the visuals, taste, and execution of the dishes, but also wine knowledge and presentation.

L: The guests all seemed very friendly and happy with their participation. In general they are satisfied with the work of our students even if it is possible to see an escalation in terms of appreciation from Friday to the two following days.

M: We have to underline that the event progressively improved not only on a day to day basis but hourly as well. Students became familiar with the environment and developed an awareness of their responsibilities as time progressed, and this was something we could easily compare with guest responses. The most significant moment was the Saturday dinner - the atmosphere was tranquil and the students were confident. You could truly sense that the guests were having a great time and appreciated the work of our students.

Tell us about the on-site harmony of the ApiciusCapannelle combined effort.

N: Capannelle delivers the postcard image from a typical Tuscan landscape in which the students are able to enter and live the experience of this marvelous region. The image of this postcard fills with flavors, scents, words and gestures that leave deep feelings that will never be forgotten.

Through the experience of really bearing responsibilities in the management of the resort, the students understand exactly how to put theory into practice.

L: The harmony felt during this ‘on-site’ project was great, both for what specifically concerned our Apicius group and for the Apicius-Capannelle interaction. We were able to collaborate effectively and to help each other out within a serene, positive environment.

M: The Capannelle staff has been very collaborative and features excellent hospitality. They opened the doors of their 'home' and had the students direct the performance the same way a seasoned conductor would direct an orchestra. The communication and the short daily meetings between the Capannelle staff and Apicius made sure that all the operations could go in the same direction in harmony and in full synergy.

What have you learned for future editions of the project?

N: I have some ideas of how to facilitate the relationship between guests and the students, who demonstrated a bit of shyness in the beginning.

L: For the future, I believe it’s clear how the factors of predeparture and on-site organization are essential. It is absolutely necessary to be thoroughly familiar with the location and that students know the space as well as we faculty members do, if not better. Familiarity also includes the functionality and logistics at Gaiole.

M: To let the students fully explore the estate is incredibly important. If the students are properly acquainted with property, they can improve the onsite operations and work on more convincing solutions prior to the event. Furthermore, the motivation factor sharply increases once they see and experience Capannelle as a place.

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Brett Romberg

Ana María Méndez

Student team member recognized for culinary excellence

Student team member recognized for hospitality excellence

"Working at Capannelle was a rewarding experience. It built my confidence in the sense that I now understand better how to manage an event of this magnitude. The standards were set very high from the beginning and were met through the entirety of the process.

I would also like to express the immense sense of pride I have for all of the students who I worked with, especially my classmates, Sammi, Jin and Olivia. We worked together as a team throughout the project and everybody played a vital role in the project's success. I am excited to have the opportunity to work in a Michelinstarred restaurant. I am looking forward to raising my standards, improving my skills and learning how to express Italian cuisine and tradition in the most elegant fashion. I hope this internship will help me to secure a job at a top quality Italian restaurant in Philadelphia."

“This was without a doubt an unforgettable experience for me.

It not only made me realize that I chose a career path that makes me happy, but that I am actually good at what I do. It took us long weeks of hard work and preparation, but in the end it was all worth it because we enjoyed it and I believe that the guests did too. In the end, guest satisfaction is what matters.

I hope more students get the chance to repeat this event in the following years because it was really an amazing opportunity. I feel honored for having been chosen for the internship. This whole project was definitely all about group work, and the best prize would have been to take all of us on for the internship. I feel honored and excited to continue learning! I have always thought that the best way of learning is by doing, and what could be a better way to end a year abroad than working at a Michelin-starred restaurant?”

NEWSLETTER

APR_MAY 2013

ART

RESIDENCIES IN MOTION

By Blending Staff

The closing of the Spring 2013 semester means a rich period of exhibitions beginning, ending, and restarting at F_AIR. This academic session for the School of Fine Arts at FUA heralded a first-time double presence of resident artists, both from the United States.

Currently showing is Eric Mistretta’s Plan B, which inaugurated on April 30th and will remain at F_AIR until May 24th. As described in the exhibition catalog, “Born in a lower class context and with very little style – everyday brightly-colored utensils and items, old pretentious tapestries, trendy fake wigs – are salvaged and lacquered to appear as something they are not and can never be because they are second rate by nature.

Even so, these gaudy pieces, ironic and seemingly ephemeral, declare their presence and shout their positive existence, despite the preconceived notions and ethical correctness that permeate the art which we see as contemporary.”

Eric Mistretta, Desk, 2013, Synthetic hair, found desk 47x35x26 cm.

Photo courtesy of the artist.

Upon the conclusion of the exhibition cycle dedicated to Mistretta, F_AIR’s gallery will turn its eye to Fulbright scholar Victoria DeBlassie, whose upcoming Of Limes and Camouflage will run from May 28 to June 14. Victoria will incorporate her research on oranges and Renaissance gardens to a reflection on her present condition as a foreigner in Italy and the consequent translation of culture and language deriving from it.

Eric Mistretta, Landscape, 2013, Acrylic on printed vinyl, 49x40 cm.

Photo courtesy of the artist.

Victoria DeBlassie, work in progress, 2013.

Photo courtesy of the artist.

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FROM DESIGN TO FASHION, EXHIBITIONS IN FLORENCE

By Blending Staff Florence Design Week: From May 20-26 FUA will lend its Corso Tintori main campus location as an exhibition space for the fourth edition of the international design week held in Florence every spring.

Hosted works are from the Up Designer Selection in collaboration with GGAF association of young Florentine architects, curated by the web magazine Arredativo. The utilized campus spaces include the Sala Rosa pink ballroom and the Galileo classroom, which will temporarily be transformed into exhibition spaces to host the creative minds and projects of GGAF. In addition to Corso

Tintori’s hosted exhibitions, Ganzo is also included in the design week itinerary as an official restaurant point. For further details on Florence Design Week please visit www.florencedesignweek.com/.

Fables of Ferragamo: The exhibition The Amazing shoemaker: Fairy Tales about shoes and shoemakers explores the world of fairy tales, fables, and the power of fantasy and imagination. The Ferragamo museum responds to the questions, doubts, and problems that plague our times with a mixed media interpretation of beauty through the whimsical world of

Ferragmo shoes. Included are an animated short fi lm by Mauro Borrelli entitled White Shoe and dedicated to Salvatore Ferragamo as a boy, installations, a graphic novel and writings of contemporary authors including FUA’s own writing professor Elisa Biagini.

Visit www.museoferragamo. it/en/ for exhibition details.

FASHION

FASHION MEETS CHOCOLATE

By Nicolette Sarzosa

Nicolette Sarzosa spent her spring semester as a college senior studying at FUA. Her involvement in the Fashion Photography course gave her the opportunity to work with edible accessories made by Fedora Pastry Shop. The concept, hair, makeup and photographs were entirely created by Nicolette Sarzosa.

For my final project in Jerry Lee Ingram’s Fashion Photography course, I chose to work with Apicius’ Fedora Pastry Shop to create fashion-based advertisements.

I first started with doing stills of the pastries often shown in the display case, but the project grew when the Head Pastry Chef, Simone De Castro, suggested making headpieces for my models to wear. Simone and his assistant Cristian Casini created 3 beautiful headpieces entirely made out of chocolate. I did not give them any specific direction, all I asked was that they create something they felt inspired to make and to use their own creativity.

Model: BROOKE CAUSEY

The concept behind this image was to really make the viewer crave the chocolate.

The model has chocolate on her lips, and melting onto her perfectly manicured hands. This is a pastry from the showcase created by the Apicius students.

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APR_MAY 2013

Model: MALLORY EILBRACHT

This is a diptych image of the Purple geometric flower headpiece paired with a still life of a pastry shown in the display case created by the students studying at Apicius.

Image of all three models with headpieces: Orange and green “tropical flower” on TESS BANNON

Golden abstract sculptural headpiece on JESSICA TIERA JENNINGS

Purple geometric flower on MALLORY EILBRACHT

Finally we have TESS BANNON , simply wearing her tropical orange chocolate flower next to the Fedora logo.

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EXCLUSIVE FASHION EVENT: FAST & FLY DEDICATE A LITURGY TO SPRING

By Alyssa Stein Photographs by Victoria Haleba

On Friday, May 3rd, FUA’s FAST hosted “Le Printemps: A Spring Liturgy,” an event held at FLY to exhibit a collection of springthemed designs by students and Italian designers. The exhibition aimed to portray the reawakening, vitality, color, and rebirth that springtime has to offer. The event was held over an aperitivo, prepared by Apicius chefs Simone de Castro and Andrea Trapani.

“Le Printemps” exhibited student designs from Spring 2013 classes including “Apparel Design,” instructed by Professor Sabrina Fichi, “Knitwear I,” instructed

by Professor Lucia Fisichella, “Handbag Construction Techniques II,” instructed by Professor Angelique Colte, and “Footwear Design and Construction II,” instructed by Professor Francesca Mocali. Italian designers such as Eleonora Bruno, Ewanescenza, and Jewelry Green also featured their creations, as well as the Mazzanti feather company.

We had the chance to speak with three of the designers mentioned above. In light of the exhibition’s theme, we asked what inspired their springtime design, as well

as what they like most about spring. Clelia Stincheddu of Jewelry Green, whose jewelry focuses on natural-themed designs and is made organically”, mentioned: “Being green is important, “I try to communicate this through the jewelry I make. Collaboration and synergy between people, especially during the spring seasons, is also important. I am inspired by this to create my designs.”

We then caught up with designer Ewa Gerini of Ewanescenza. Her light installation for the exhibition consisted of the blooming of flowers and other natural plants.

“I like to play with light,” she mentioned when asked about her inspiration. “I project my light designs onto wood because wood

FUA students’ works of “Footwear Design and Construction II” course.

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adds another dimension. Wood and light work harmoniously with one another.” Ewa also added that she was inspired by the freshness and refinement of spring.

Lastly, we spoke with Eleonora Bruno, creator of ELY.B. Eleonora’s exhibit, entitled “Jungle,” consisted of a collection of intricately designed hats, and was the showcase exhibit of “Le Printemps.” “I like to use flowers,” Eleonora said. She continued on, explaining how she takes dry flowers and sticks and dyes them different colors. “I never do a sketch beforehand, I enjoy playing with the materials to see what happens. I am very much inspired by the materials that I use.”

The evening was a success, attracting a mix of locals and the

Jewelry Green.

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FUA community. FAST Coordinator Gaia Poli, when concluding the event, shared her happiness over how “…springtime had released its perfumed flowers tonight at FAST, the fashion campus of FUA. This event was multifaceted, glamorous, and captured the consent and smiles of our guests.” We also discussed with Gaia’s event co-coordinator, Chiara Spagli, how the exhibition was a must for fashion-loving Florentines and a great opportunity for both FAST students and new emerging designers. “The combination of art, design, and fashion with the lightness of a springtime aperitivo resulted in a beautiful Liturgy, as suggested by the event’s theme title. Who knows what we’ll come up for Fall 2013!”

ELY.B.

TRAVEL

TUSCAN ARCHIPELAGO SERIES: GIGLIO, GIANNUTRI, MONTECRISTO

By Blending Staff

To conclude our Spring 2013 Tuscan Archipelago series are the southernmost islands of Giglio, Giannutri, and the mysterious Montecristo of literary fame.

Giglio is the second largest island of the archipelago, located a mere 15 kilometers from Monte Argentario, a peninsula protruding from the southern end of Tuscany. The plutonic rock that makes up most of the island dates to about 5 million years ago, while a smaller fragment on the western side of the island is even more ancient and coincides with former iron mining activities on the island. Giglio is also a regularly inhabited and visited island with three towns – Giglio Porto where the port is located, the ancient and originating town of Giglio Castello, and Campese, where the largest beach stretch is located. The lasting

The port at the island of Giglio.

Photo courtesy of Ente Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano

architectural presence of the Romans and the Medici family is noteworthy, despite the continued Saracen pirate attacks during the island’s history.

Giannutri is the southernmost island of the archipelago, with a striking half-moon, crescent shape.

The elongated form results in a mere, 500meter maximum width. There are no formal towns on the island but sparse dwellings that are mainly

residences for tourists and second vacation homes.

The Mediterranean fauna here is wild and robust and grows from ancient sedimentary rock that dates to 200 million years ago; the sea floor is rich with diverse animal and plant species that make Giannutri a popular snorkeling spot. The island can be visited with a few limitations in terms of how much territory is open to visitors, who may arrive via ferry service.

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The island of Montecristo is none other than the island location of Alexandre Dumas’ masterpiece, The Count of Monte Cristo. The author may have been inspired to include the hidden treasure in the real life location of the San Mamiliano grotto by an already existing legend of monks who followed the saint’s order and hid monastery valuables from Saracen pirates. The island terrain is a granite mass that

arises from the ocean and hosts rugged, low-rising Mediterranean shrub plants. This island is the most difficult to visit, the Italian government allows a mere 1000 visitors a year who must apply for a specific visit permit that may require long wait times.

The approved individuals must visit the island expressly under the supervision of an official park guide while swimming is absolutely forbidden.

Further information and visiting details may be found at www.islepark.it.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

By Taylor Dosh Firenze is a place filled with wonderful attractions that are hard not to notice. While museums here are mostly composed of ancient paintings or sculptures, there is one that makes nature lovers feel right at home. The Università degli Studi di Firenze is the creator of the Museum of Natural History.

There are six sections distributed in palaces and monumental places in the center of Florence. All of them offer different aspects of nature. It is home to fossil skeletons of large mammals, collections of multicolored butterflies, large crystals of tourmaline, ethnic jewelry of native populations, and the monumental trees of the Botanical Gardens. This museum is

usually not very crowded and is a nice break from the long lines and tourist-centered museums.

Within the museum are the Botanical Gardens, one of Florence’s most beautiful green areas. It was created in 1545 as a medicinal garden and is one of the three oldest gardens in the world.

It is home to over 9,000 different species! Walk through the gardens for only three euros between the hours of 10am-7pm everyday but Wednesday. Not only will it be a nice break from the chaotic city center, but you will be blown away by the beauty of the featured plant species.

If you are ever presented with the opportunity to explore the areas outside of Florence, seize the

chance. One of the prettiest roads is Via Chiantigiana, which leads to Siena and winds through the Chianti winemaking territory from which the road takes its name. Hills and vineyards surround the road, which offers a beautiful and quiet escape.

Florence is city that is full of beauty.

However, like all major cities, you can be overwhelmed by all the attractions. Explore the areas that are not as highly publicized as the rest. It will leave you with a different and richer impression of the city. I have outlined a few places that are off the beaten path of the typical tourist attractions in Florence. It may be a good idea to check a few of them out whether your time in Florence is just beginning or about to end.

STUDENT VOICE

YOU, ME, AND FLORENTINES Maggy Kilroy

Maggy Kilroy reflects at the semester’s end upon her relationship with a city that has been her home, her place of study, and her source of inspiration for four months.

Illustrations by Yun-Yen Chuang

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I have been in Florence for nearly four months. The arrival and departure of study abroad students from all over the world may make you feel like a temporary showcase, which changes when the next shipment comes in.

However, I do not feel invisible in a city of Italians. They may be of a different approach, they might be intolerant of my foreign tendencies, they could be entertained by those quirks, or

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APR_MAY 2013

they might truly want to help me in improving my Italian. But they all make me feel a part of this city.

These folks are married to the city I fell in love with. I am living in the city they own. They were here for the thousands of students just like me and will be here when I go back home with a lifetime’s worth of experiences to cross off my map.

Together we create the future of Florence. We all shop at the small consignment stores across the river, listen to local music groups and visit the park crowded with children

on a late Saturday afternoon. It is an ecosystem of coming and going. Although I am not originally a Florentine, I, along with all of those who have come before me and who will come after me as future students, am a part of this massive community.

I do not feel like one of the tourists following around a little waving scarf or umbrella. I may be part of a “spring collection” but I am a small part of Florence. I am an adopted Florentine and part of both the temporary and permanent Florence.

FACULTY FOCUS

SLD INTERVIEW: BREAKING BOUNDARIES WITH COORDINATOR MELISSA ROSSI By Nicoletta Richardson What is your personal favorite part of the city that students should experience themselves while they are here?

Definitely the Oltrarno area because it’s still very central, but at the same time it’s away from the more touristy part of the town so you’re not having to actually fight to get past the tourists. As you can tell, we’re going towards the tourist season now, and the whole face of the city has changed. You’re dealing with a completely different dynamic now. So that area is still an area where you can walk around and be part of the history and see the sights and actually a lot of really amazing restaurants, creative studios – it’s a really great area.

What do you believe is the most important thing students should get out of being in Florence?

It’s breaking down those barriers, that ethnocentric idea that this is how the world works. You’re seeing the world from a different point of view, and if you haven’t actually broken out of that barrier at this point, then you haven’t really committed yourself 100%. Th at’s the most important part, just learning how to adapt to another culture, accepting another culture. You may not like it, it may not be how you want to live your life, but just letting yourself experience it for what it is rather than fighting it is definitely the most important part. Also, it’s study – abroad. Studying is definitely apart of it, but abroad is just as important. And it’s about adapting to living abroad, and fi nding a way to put the two together and fi nding that balance.

What do you believe is the most important thing students should make sure they do before they leave Florence?

Since there are so many things in town, it depends on what the student’s specifically interested in. I think one really amazing area that’s really overlooked is Forte Belvedere, which is above the Oltrarno area. If you were to walk up the back of the Boboli Gardens, the path will take you to Forte Belvedere, which will reopen this June after 5 years of closure. It offers an amazing view of Florence. It’s very similar to Piazzale Michelangelo, but with the field of this former fortress that overlooks the city.

Do you have any last minute comments to add that you want students to know about before they leave Florence or for those who are just arriving for the summer?

Enjoy the beautiful weather. Actually spend some time in Florence, which is really the main point that I would like to make because at the end of the academic session, we find so many students saying, “I had a fantastic experience, I saw so many places, but I wish I had spent more time actually in Florence.” Make sure to take advantage of spare moments and days off to explore every corner of the city.

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REDAZIONE / MASTHEAD

Supplemento di /

Direttore Responsabile /

Supplement to Blending Magazine

Editor in chief

Reg. Trib. di Firenze n° 5844 del 29 luglio 2011

Matteo Brogi

Anno 3 – Numero 3 – aprile/maggio 2013 / Year 3 - Issue 3 - April/May 2013

Caporedattore / Editorial Director

Editore / Publisher

Grace Joh

Florence Campus per INGORDA Editore Via Alfonso La Mamora 39, 50121 Firenze

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Federico Cagnucci

Editorial Headquarters Corso Tintori, 21

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Blending Staff

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Blending is a newsletter created with and for students of Florence University of the Arts, the academic member of Palazzi FAIE. The newsletter collaborates with the Student Life Department and Development Office.

For information contact: blending@palazziflorence.com.

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