Tag: Orsoni

Venetian Curiosities

Menegazzo in Los Angeles

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A friend has sent this image of Marino Menegazzo’s gold leaf in Los Angeles.

The caption in Wikipedia (public domain) explains that the original 1939 building was home to the May company department store.  For the curious, the style is Art Deco and Streamline Moderne. Formerly part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art campus, since 2021 it houses The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, located on Wilshire Boulevard at the western end of the “Miracle Mile.”

Lest you think, as I did at first, that the cylinder’s surface itself is covered with gold leaf (I tip my hat to the legendary Ca’ d’Oro on the Grand Canal), let me clarify that it is made of more than 350,000 glass and gold-leaf mosaic tiles.  Some of the original tiles were so deteriorated that they had to be replaced, so preservation specialist John Fidler turned to the original producer, Orsoni, in Venice.  Not for the first time, Orsoni turned to Menegazzo for the required leaves of gold to be placed within the new glass tiles.

That’s all I know but it made my day.

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Venetian-ness

endless little discoveries

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Even if the last word is missing, it takes no effort at all to fill it in: “The sun is nothing compared to your eyes.” I hope whoever has those eyes wasn’t the one who removed the word.

One of the best things about walking around Venice is that you are always discovering things, the littler, the better.

Here is a smattering of recent surprises, in no particular order.  The important thing is that they made me smile.

Speaking of eyes, this is not a fragment from the ancient Syrians or Greeks.
This haunting tribute is placed on a wall at the hospital, near the Emergency Room.  It was created by Orsoni, maker of mosaic tesserae in Venice since 1888, and donated in honor of the medical personnel at the city hospital for their heroic work during the pandemic.  “Duri i banchi” is a very old expression still used as encouragement, if not warning, dating from the epoch of rowed galleys when it was shouted to the crew to brace themselves before the moment of impact in battle. (Think “Ramming speed!” from Ben-Hur).  The banchi (BAN-kee) were the benches upon which the rowers sat, but saying “Hard the benches!” doesn’t mean that the benches were hard, though of course they were, but refers to the rowers themselves.  So: Hang tough, stand your ground, stay strong.  (Note: It’s about 35 cm x 45 cm/13 in x 18 in.  I didn’t think to make a photograph of its general position — I’ll do that next time I’m by the hospital.)
A tree has been growing on the vegetable boat, and its nespoli (loquats) were bravely maturing not long ago.
I didn’t keep track of them, so I can’t tell you whether the birds ate them or if Massimo or Luca took them home from the boat and made compote.
It’s possible that this window belongs to a vast apartment, but seen from the end of a long dark calle this small opening brings Rapunzel to mind.  Or the Count of Monte Cristo, if he had liked to grow basil.  I understand why the bars are there, but they do add a strangely dramatic tone to a very ordinary scene.
And on the subject of windows, I noticed this the other day. It’s amazing what you can find when you’re not looking for anything.  You don’t see any particular “this” in the scene?  Look closer.
Wait — is that a mirror I see through the open window? Wow….
The city’s like some visual echo chamber.
“I’ll be right back,” it says on the open door.
I understand the need for ashtrays. I do not understand how this one along the canal works.
This scooter has obviously been sent to the corner of the church for a big time-out.  Don’t ask, it knows perfectly well what it did.
This young girl has just single-handedly restored my faith in the future of the future. I saw the title on the book’s cover: “Piccole Donne.”  Little Women.
I had to compliment this lady for her exceptional attention to her whole ensemble.  She could have just thrown on the dress and still looked good, but the necklace!  The mask!  The cell phone cover! For those whose maximum concern is making sure their socks match, all I can say is “Watch and learn.”
No comment needed, they speak for themselves, and for her.
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