Two fashion designers from different times are compared and contrasted in this exhibition at the Met. In the clothes and accessories on view, the show is curated to underscore the similarities between the two. Prada’s designs, since they are contemporary, are probably more familiar. This makes Schiaparelli (1893-1973) the more interesting of the two. Her accessories, especially, are fabulous. There is an omnipresent background video of simulated conversations between the two women which is somewhat distracting. The show becomes absorbing if this video is ignored and one goes at a time when the crowds are relatively thin!
Category: News (page 10 of 24)
New Italian Cinema is back in New York City. This year’s series runs from June 8 to June 14. Seventeen films are featured and there are many styles and themes represented. The movies range from dramas depicting today’s Italian life to historical tales to comedies. Among the films being shown are Terraferma (E. Crialese, 2011), a story of today’s immigrants to an island off the coast of Sicily; Scialla’ (F. Bruni, 2011), a father’s coming of age story; and Carlo Verdone’s Posti in piedi in paradiso (2012), a comedy (sort of) about three men moving in together. Directors and/or actors will be present at some screenings.
An article in Il Sole 24 Ore highlights some traditional Easter rituals, games and processions in Italy. Throughout the country towns and cities practice varying rites. The most well-known is Florence’s “scoppio del Carro” in which a cart, drawn by oxen, processes through the city. On the cart is a rocket which is made to explode at the end of the procession. This commemorates the sparks that supposedly emanated from shards of the Holy Sepulchre. There are many other traditions that mix religion and folklore. In many towns there are different varieties of egg races and competitions, in others there are processions that represent various aspects of the Easter story. There are fascinating traditions in towns in every region.
Nanni Moretti’s film Habemus Papam (2011) will open on April 6th. It tells the story of a newly elected pope who doesn’t want the job and has a psychological crisis. It’s a very understated movie without a lot of action and a great performance by Michel Piccoli as the pope. Moretti himself plays the psychoanalyst brought in to treat the pope as the world awaits an announcement from the Vatican. Through a twist of events the pope manages to flee the Vatican and wanders around Rome. There are some great scenes, most notably of cardinals playing volleyball, a tournament organized by Moretti’s character. Although there are comic moments, as in all Moretti’s movies, it’s not a real comedy and the ending reminds us of the human being behind the titles or positions.
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