Prime Impressioni ~ First Impressions

Ciao Familia~

Ieri sera la mostra de arte, just kidding... Last night was the opening of the art show Prime Impressioni ~ First Impressions. Only the show I have been mentioning in my last few posts.

We had quite the house full, to say the least! Although we officially opened at 6, attendants started arriving at 5:45 and the last of the visitors at 9:30! We had friends, colleagues, the guys from the photo store I patron, strangers, and SACI staff to come by, which of course made it very special. We also worked very hard to insure translations of the brochures, artist statements, and title tags for each piece! When I say Italian is complicated, Family... IT IS COMPLICATED!! (and yes, I'm yelling!)

For me personally, I enjoyed when people would share their favorite image and tell me why it was a favorite. I also had several great conversations with viewers. Asking questions such as, "Why all men?, Why don't you show their faces? How do you come up with your ideas?" etc. etc. One visitor was a gallerist from Japan!! He will be writing an article for his art magazine back in Tokyo! Who knew... looks like we are truly international! (Question: When I go to Japan, does that mean my blog title should change? Hummmm...)

A conversation I will never forget from the evening was had with a woman whose former husband is dieing of cancer. She began the chat by telling me how John 3:3 (right) was her favorite image, and how it moved her. At this moment, tears began to flow from her eyes. She went on to say, this is how her ex-husband looks each day, because of his pain and slowing deteriorating. How she writes to him about the children, but he is unable to respond. I was so touched. I don't know why and can't really explain it, but I was struck, struck with as sense of honor and thankfulness, that something I created would have such a powerful effect on another person. I am grateful to have shared that moment with her.

I have included some random images I was able to take before hand, and when 3 of my 5 models were there! But I am also waiting for additional images to come, taken by a fellow photographer.

It was a huge hit, but just like Reading Rainbow, you don't have to take my word for it. Here is the review from the Florence Newspaper, (click the link and scroll down to the Lifestyle, Art & Entertainment section.)

So now what...
1. My birthday is on Tuesday! I'm going for a nice Greek dinner with friends (Yes, I realize I'm in Italy.)
2. I leave for London on Wednesday and will see TINA TURNER on Saturday!! (Don't worry, I've been practicing.)
3. Believe it or not, I was in the studio today!! Trying to clean up my space in prep to start my next narrative project.

xoxoxo