Conflitti e Armonie: The starting point for progress

“Conflicts and Harmonies,” a new installation by renowned artist Luigi Petracchi opens this weekend in beautiful Pistoia, Italy. The show is described by curator Laura Monaldi as “an introspective invitation to personal reflection; an invitation to ‘descend’ within the most complex, deep and ancestral themes with which modern man lives, often ignoring its existence. From artistic creation – pages wisely elaborated by hand and chemically, … Continue reading Conflitti e Armonie: The starting point for progress

Palio!

Twice a year, on July 2 and August 16, the Tuscan town of Siena, Italy goes wild for Palio, the famous horse race that dates back to the 13th Century. Thanks to Siena International Photography Awards (SIPA) founder and photographer Luca Venturi, for sharing a link where you can watch the festivities leading up to race day and the main event live on July 2! … Continue reading Palio!

Where travel and wonder meet

For me, one of the most fantastic aspects of travel and new cultural experience is that it stimulates a sense of wonder about the world. It’s like a treasure hunt for hidden histories — and mysteries. Everything from the smell of foreign spices in a Mexico City market to peeking through a rusting keyhole into a crumbling courtyard in Venice feels thrilling — and makes … Continue reading Where travel and wonder meet

A portal through which others can dream: Photography by Andrea Giandomenico

It was a pleasure to write about Italian photographer Andrea Giandomenico’s work recently for Street Photography Magazine. The moment I saw his striking images from rural Italy, I asked him for permission to propose a feature. The piece explores a different and more difficult type of street photography and the importance of capturing the spirit of a place and its people without being a disruptive … Continue reading A portal through which others can dream: Photography by Andrea Giandomenico

And the winners are…

It was truly an honor to be part of this great international event and meet award winning photographers from around the world again this year in Siena, Italy at the Siena International Photography Awards ceremony & festival. Congrats to all of the winners and kudos to the event organizers, including Luca Venturi and his team, as well as Master of Ceremonies Luca Bracali and event photographer Ernesto Mangone. Bravo! … Continue reading And the winners are…

Siena bound

I got into Florence, Italy very late last night & arrived at my room at Hotel Angelica near midnight. It turns out the lovely woman who checked me in after hours was Angelica herself.  This morning, after two delicious cappuccinos & a long walk, she sent me off to the train station (conveniently right around the corner) with hugs & kisses. Now that’s service!  She told … Continue reading Siena bound

Ready, Set, Siena

I’m all packed up and ready to make the leap to Italy today with a layover in Amsterdam that I plan on taking full advantage of with a long city walk. It’s time once again for the Siena International Photography Awards (SIPA) event & Festival in beautiful Tuscany. I’m looking forward to meeting photographers around the world and reuniting with friends from Pistoia to Switzerland … Continue reading Ready, Set, Siena