Le furlane di Venezia known as venetian slippers. Born at the end of the second world war, these shoes were and are still produced in the countryside of the close Friuli Venezia Giulia region, using offset materials such as old bicycle tyre for the waterproof sole, jute sacks for the sole cushioning, fabrics and rags coming from old dresses, today it is velvet, for the shoe uppers. Home made at no costs, substitute of the longed for but too expensive leather shoes, they began to spread in Venice where, among others, were worn by the gondoliers because the rubber sole didn't ruin the gondola's varnish. Soon enough the furlane were adopted by the British visitors and became many a Lord's favorite slippers and can still be purchased in a charming little shop at the foot of the Rialto Bridge.

It rocks. Merci a Monsieur A.

Marino Marini at the Guggenheim.

And back... all I can show for it right now is il culo del grembiule, the seagull's ass.  

(Thanks to Nicolo for the "wrong" translation but real drinks.)

Claiming for late payments is such a drag. An image is better than an thousand words ( I hope ). Marie, my little friend in Venice, 7 years old, sent me that picture she took to help me out with the matter. Sweet, no ?

This is a very secret and private palazzo. La creme de la creme. La Serenissima doesn't open her doors easily but when she does, beware of the spell.

Gondoliere training for the Regatta Storica.

Pippo ( Filippo ) took us across the Canal Grande to visit the most exquisite Palazzo on board his magnificient 1964 motoscarfo. Let me take you for a ride.

Venezia. Part 2

Venice, Acqua Alta. Part 1

Your humble servant at work. Today, Venezia, Acqua Alta. Expect the unexpected. Thanks to Sophie Djerlal who took the picture.

Off to Venice for a short week. Will be back with goodies, I hope. Some twenty years ago in a café in Venice, reloading my good old Rolleiflex which belonged to my grand father and still works wonders.

VENICE JUNE 2007

The Biennale 2007 An artist from Ghana, El Anatsui, whose latest work covers the facade of the Palazzo Fortuny during a outstanding exhibition curated by Axel Vervoordt.