Month: July 2016

By far the most amazing experience I have had on this trip has been our visit to Tipoteca Italiana. What was so amazing about this visit was being able to get the opportunity to see the intense labour that goes into producing a specific font for a variety of mediums. Of course, when one thinks of type writing or anything associated closely with that term usually what comes to mind is the image of an old school system of production. For Tipoteca Italiana, that image holds very closely to the truth. In fact, every type producing machine within the museum is capable of producing type texts. This to me is amazing because some of these machines just look so incredibly old, and it is mind blowing that they are capable of producing incredible texts. Even the display within the museum demonstrate a certain age and precision that reflects that intense mastery dedicated to this craft. My favorite piece was definitely the display of monopoly money that was creating through using the typing machines.

Definitely what was most memorable about this visit was being able to create a beautiful poster with our group! At first it was a bit intense trying to compete and see which team could create the best design for the poster. I mean a ridiculous amount of thinking and working on layout went into creating a design for my group. However, once again, this was definitely an experience that gave me an important insight into how much work goes on within the design world. Even choosing the colors that we wanted to put on the poster took time and close analyzation. However, what was probably the most difficult was trying to pick a font for the poster that everyone could agree on. Our end result was definitely stunning, and I cannot wait to get back to Austin and have it framed. Regardless of the work involved, it was just such a wonderful way to end the trip – through creating a “design” that is capable of letting us look back and remember the entire purpose of this program: Thinking about “Design in Context”.

One of the major highlights of this trip was definitely our visit to Treviso. My favorite part was getting to see Fabrica, the design school within the town. As someone who has no previous knowledge about the world of design and its inner workings, getting to see an experience a place like Fabrica was extremely eye opening. It was amazing to see a place where so many students of various nationalities come together to work together on a variety of projects. However, my favorite exhibit within the school was definitely the montage of pictures displayed that each worked as an independent gallery. My favorite set from this piece was definitely the display of pictures that each show cased various albinos from Africa. I think this exhibit demonstrated an important theme about individuality, and how people can perceive something so common as uncommon. Another striking piece was the book that featured a multitude of red headed people. This piece introduced a statement about how red heads are capable of being a dying breed due to gene selection or designer baby phenomenon.

Goodbyes are always more poetic in books and movies than in real life. Because in real life, they’re emotional and downright painful.

That night, everyone came in their best outfits and high spirits. We greet at the door, talk for a moment, then are seated amongst our new and old friends. Everyone skirts around the reason we’re gathered in the first place; we make small talk and focus on the various wines and dishes they bring us rather than discuss the fast approaching end.

As the night continues, there’s an air of urgency as everyone tries to get out as many thoughts and conversations and last remarks as humanly possible before the final course is served. As dessert is passed around, there’s a more hushed tone to our group; we still converse, but it’s not nearly as rushed now, we revel in the company of one another. Everyone knows what’s to come, but no one wants to admit that it’s time.

As the final drinks are had and the last of the dishes are cleared,  we are left with the stark realization that this is indeed the end of our time together. The month came and went so quickly, it feels like we just got off the train that morning.

We look around, smiles everywhere; we embrace, exchange gifts, and get in any last minute words before we stumble off into the night – our final night in Italy. For some of us this is the end of our time there, for some it’s only a stop along the way of another great adventure; regardless of what comes next, we will all hopefully look fondly back on this month and remember every wonderful, sometimes sweaty moments together knowing we were having the time of our lives.

Our last visit for this study abroad was Fabrica in Treviso, Italy. It is associated with United Colors of Benetton and is a midway between a class-based university and a workplace. We got a walking tour of the building, and a look into the different departments that the place has set up. The one most memorable part of the tour was the library, one of the most beautiful works of modern book cataloguing I have seen. I am a sucker for books, so this place was heaven on earth. It might not have had novels and fiction but that didn’t bother me. The rooms structured in a giant spiral that winded downwards with a staircase. Bookshelves and siting areas were fit into landings along the way. It was maybe three floors, hard to judge when there is no clear distinction, but the bookshelves were tall and extensive. They were lines with hordes and hordes of design research books, a few shelves stuffed with National Geographic books, and so much colour, it was overwhelming.

One thing we got to sit and look at was an edition of the Colors magazine, which is sadly not running anymore, where they mailed blank magazines to people around the world and had them fill it out with anything and everything. People filled the books up with personal photos, spray paint, yarn, their children’s drawings, and one was all about Islamic feminism. That one was my absolute favourite. It talked about how the choice for Islamic women to cover up is a statement of feminism not oppression. The book as filled with writing in Arabic calligraphy and drawings. It was really lovely to see that touch of diversity firsthand.

Hopefully in the future I can get an opportunity to apply and attend Fabrica after I graduate UT and gain some amazing experience from the faculty and resources available there.

Last weekend, I took a day trip to Florence. While everyone else who went stayed the full three day weekend, I knew I decided to keep it short so that I had time to relax. Sadly Florence should not have been the place I skipped out on especially since there is so much to see. I missed out on seeing Michelangelo’s David and the Uffizi due to the time crunch but that gives me an opportunity to come back with a better planned agenda.

Florence is surprisingly easy to navigate. Nothing is more than a 15-minute, brisk walk away, and it’s pretty obvious what the landmarks are. The difference in construction of landmarks versus commercial and residential buildings is very obvious, not to mention the long, serpentine lines winding back and forth in front of museums. The city was really beautiful to walk through and the statues erected everywhere were magnificent to see. My favourite part, unsurprisingly, was the Duomo. In my opinion, it is definitely more breathtaking than the one in Milan. The hints of colour, the high and low relief sculptures, and the towering glory of it all was really lovely to experience firsthand.

I also got to walk through the open courtyard of Basilica of San Lorenzo. The courtyard was a small taste of the the extensive architectural monuments built by people like Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, Donatello, and more.

I definitely plan on visiting this city again.

As soon I was i found out that Armani Silos, a four story museum that features Giorgio Armani’s work since the 1980s, I was determined to go. It was originally not part of the class agenda to visit Armani Silos, so I figured I would probably have to drag one of my roommates to go with me during the weekend. However, due to last minute changes in our schedule, I was able to visit Armani Silos with my entire class.
The morning of our visit to Armani Silos, I woke up with butterflies in my stomach. It was so nice that I was able to go with our Design in Context group because I didn’t have to work out any logistics on location, tickets, or getting a private tour.
Armani/Silos did not disappoint and I’ll admit I tried extremely hard to not cry. I was just so excited and overwhelmed with beauty! My favorite section of the museum was the accessory section. The room featured gray walls with three long tables lit in a way that they appeared to be glowing. On the three tables there were hundreds of dazzling accessories. It completely blew me away! If only my closet looked like that! My favorite garments from the museum included a black velvet dress that was at the front of the museum, a blood-orange sequined gown from Armani’s F/W 1993 collection, and a floral strapless gown with pale blue embroidery. Visiting Armani/Silos was such an incredible opportunity. I had to to just take a minute to remind myself that I was in MILAN viewing some of Giorgio Armani’s most beautiful work. I’m so grateful for this course and all the opportunities it has provided me!

If everything on this trip had failed to make me consider myself a designer in some small fashion (which isn’t the case, but still-) then our final visit to Fabrica research center picked up the slack.

The building that houses this immense concentration of creativity is a 17^th century villa, masterfully restored and augmented by one of my favorite architects- Tadao Ando. The telling glassy effect with the water draws the eye to the columns that line the path to the entryway.

 

Inside, we were shown around the center, catching glimpses here and there of previous and current works from the young creative minds in residence at the center. Never in my life have I wanted to be a part of something so badly- social change at the hands of designers, artists, writers, filmmakers, and anyone who dares to think outside of the box. In fact, deconstruct the box.

Words of encouragement from their website:

If they pass the rigorous screening process, the young residents start a period of education and research on real projects based on the conviction that communication, in all its applications, must be a vehicle of conscious social change.

Again, there is the idea that design is multidisciplinary. That it can have a real impact on the world. It’s purposeful design- making a conscious effort for the function of the object to impact the user. Truthfully, seeing the importance of my own skill- writing, communications, storytelling- gave me a great deal of perspective. There is a place for everyone in the pursuit of change through media and design.