Articles by arttrav
Take a dump in a masterpiece: In Italy even the porta-potties are art
I am a huge fan of these portapotties by Sebach. There’s one on the highway between Firenze Sud and Firenze Certosa, but we are never going slow enough to photograph it, and it’s partially blocked by the divider. It has the Piero della Francesca portrait of the Duke of Urbino on …
Oliviero Toscani and Salvatore Settis want your ugly photos of Italy
Can Italy be Ugly? Yes, according to Oliviero Toscani, and we need to stop turning a blind eye to this ugliness.
Thus is born the project “Nuovo Paesaggio Italiano” – new italian landscapes – developed by Toscani (photographer and founder of Fabrica) in collaboration with Salvatore Settis (art critic and professor). They want you to turn …
The Weather in Florence: hot summers, cold winters (that’s normal!)
There are few moments of the year in which Italians will talk about the weather as much as an Anglo-Saxon. Right about now is one of those moments, when the mercury (if mercury thermometres weren’t banned in the EU) rises to 40 degrees celcius and there’s nothing people can do all day except sigh and …
Secret Rome from A to Z (Summer 2010 tours)
From July 1 to September 30, 2010 in Rome, select archaeological sites will be open to the public with the initiative “Secret Rome from A to Z (Roma Segreta dalla A alla Z)”. Guided tours and childrens’ activities cost from 5 to 15 euros, hours vary, and reservations are required.
Locations are: Acquedotto Vergine, Auditorium di …
Aperitivo “a roof with a view”
From July 1 to September 30 2010, enjoy an Italian-style happy hour, or aperitivo, while admiring a marvellous view over the city of Florence. This event is called “Terrazza con Vista” or “A Roof with a View“.
Last night I was at one on the terrace of the Hotel Baglioni, which is one of 13 locations …
Living in Florence Italy: Welcome to my world
Everyone who hears where I live and what I do for a job (after a stint in study abroad I became a professional blogger) responds in pretty much the same way: “wow, you are so lucky”. It is mostly true that I am lucky, though not all because I live in Florence! In “my world” …
Public toilets in Florence
The city of Florence has been making a bit more of an effort to offer clean public toilets around the city, which is, of course, good news for tourists.
So the other day I was in the Santo Spirito area and the need arose to test the facilities, which I happily did just for you, dear …
The Ant Theater Florence + San Giovanni Fireworks 2010
Every June 24th I try to do something different – it’s San Giovanni, the patron saint of Florence. Most people flock downtown to see the fireworks along the Arno. Last year I got out of the city to a wonderful country meal with De Gustibus, which they are offering again this year. But I’m extremely …
Made in Italy: a ceiling lamp with personality
We just installed our new Frizzi, a ceiling lamp made in Italy by Nemo and designed by Karim Rashid in 2005. It’s our first real design object in the house, if you don’t count designers who work for Ikea.
Frizzi is part of a series called “Living Objects“, and this made me pause to reflect on …
Rome art and jazz in the Borghese gardens
Another lovely art, music, and aperitivo combination this summer in Rome in the Borghese Gardens. The museum is the Museo Carlo Bilotti, while the aperitivo with jazz music is held at the nearby Casina del Lago. A 10 euro ticket gets you into the event.
The current exhibit is “Roma” with works by the American artist …
Alessi Objects and Projects, Munich
Alessi: perhaps the most famous brand of Italian design, as well as one of the more accessible (you can own a little piece of modernity for 25 euros).
An exhibit at the International Design Museum in Munich, Alessi Objects and Projects, looks back over the recent decades of Alessi design: the final phase of …
Le Murate Aperitivo on Monday nights
Called “Aperto alLe Murate“, every Monday night this summer – starting June 16 2010 – Le Murate will be open for aperitif and cultural offerings from 7-9pm. A free glass of wine is provided by “young” wine producers; it’s unclear if there will also be food (it’s up to the individual wine sponsor so may …
ArtTrav is a blog about expat life, art, and travel in Italy and Europe. I am Alexandra Korey, a Florence-based art historian turned blogger.
My goal is to help travelers and residents like you experience countries through culture and local living. If it takes geeky, long articles to do that, so be it! 
