A MINTy Evening

November 21, 2007 · Filed Under Art · Comment 

MINT
MINT is an exhibition.

Oddly enough, this exhibition, which goes by the name ‘MINT’, has nothing to do with the sweet, although you could say that it is quite refreshing. Sorry, I could not resist. And my weak attempts at associating the MINT event and the sweet have fallen on deaf ears where Italians are concerned. Not many Italians, it would seem, are able to understand the connection between ‘MINT’ and mint, or ‘menta’ as they say here in Italy.

Must be my quirky English sense of humour. Oh well.

Anyway, MINT does not stand for anything apart from MIlan INTernational, and this will most probably not help you to understand just what this event is all about. So, I’ll shed some light on this mysterious happening.

Basically, MINT is all about antiques and art, both the old stuff and that, sometimes odd, modern stuff.

Last night I was lucky enough to attend the inauguration of MINT (my other half works in the trade - such sweet luck!) and it was not at all bad. First of all, this exhibition is held in what is, to all intents and purposes, a large tent, situated to the rear of Milan’s castle. In the foggy Milanese winter evenings, this location is certainly rather atmospheric, and so it should be in a way, seeing as the items on display are just about all available for purchase, at, wait for it, atmospheric prices.

By way of example, there was a fabulous two and a half metre high portrait of a poor woman on show. This gem was on offer at around one million Euros. I was sorely tempted, but the size of the thing put me off rather, oh, and then there was the minor problem relating to finding the odd million Euros. That old cash flow problem again. Oh well, never mind. Maybe I could negotiate the price down a wee bit, by say ninety nine percent?

Although my own finances may be limited, there were plenty of well dressed Italians there, many of whom, I suspect would have been able to stump up the odd million or so. Indeed, talking of expensive paintings, there were some lovely images of Venice on display. I did not even inquire as to the price. And, no, I cannot remember the artists.

I believe that this event is open to the public from the 21 / 26 November 2007, between 12 a.m. and 9 p.m.. If you would like to know a little more, then the MINT site may interest you, and it is here (in English).

If are into art and you do manage to find your way there, then you may well like what you see. I did, and I am not really into art.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Added a couple of links - Trade and Hobby exhibitions in Milan

October 13, 2007 · Filed Under Events, Milan · Comment 

If you manage to scroll down far enough and look at the right hand side of this blog, you will find a couple of links entitled: Milan - Exhibition Calendars.  For the moment there is a link to the well known Milano Fiera, where most of Milan’s trade fairs are held and another link to the Novegro Exhibition Park.

The Milano Fiera set-up is huge and many international trade fairs are held at one of its sites.  Indeed, tt is worth mentioning that Milano Fiera is has two locations.  The first, known as Fieramilanocity, refers to the city of Milan site which is quite close to the centre.  It is easily reachable via Milan’s red underground line, but just make sure you get one of the trains that is heading for Rho/Pero and get off at the Amendola Fiera stop, and you will not be far away.  The second site, known as FieraMilano, which is much newer, and will become the permanent location of Milan’s exhibition space, is located on the north west side of Milan.  Again it can be reached via the red underground line.  In fact it is on the same line as the Fiera Milano City site, you just stay on the train until the end of the line which is the Rho Fiera Milano stop.

I really don’t need to say much about the Milano Fiera organsation, because it is already well know internationally.  But there is another lesser known exhibition area, which is just about next to Milan’s Linate airport, and this is the Novegro Exhibition Park.  Now while this place is much smaller than the Milano Fiera operations, there are more general interest collectors type exhibitions held there.  For example there are a few toy and model shows, such as Borsa Scambio and Hobby Model expo, and a couple of antiques fairs.  Not forgetting the militaria and wine events, which may be of interest. And last but not least, there is also a fair for classic and vintage car, and motorcycle enthusiasts, the sort of people who are often trying to track down some hard to find bits and bobs.  So if you are mad on Moto Morini’s, love Laverda’s or dote on Ducati’s, or need bits for your ancient Alfa or beloved Lancia, this could well be an interesting place to check out.  Those of you who traffic in toys and models may also find this fairs have quite a lot to offer too.

I’m not sure anyone should make a special effort to visit the Novegro events, but it would not be a bad idea to pop in if you happen to be in Milan on business or have decided to let your other half lose on a long weekend shopping spree in the centre of Milan.  I even know of what looks to be a rather nice hotel that is very close by, but more of that another time.  Indeed, getting to this exhibition area could not be easier.  You could simply take a 10 minute ride in a taxi from Linate airport or you could even walk there.  It’s that close to the airport.

The only drawback to the Novegro place is that all the information about it appears to be in Italian, but with an on-line translator you could probably work out what is on and when.  Or drop me a line.

If you do end up there, then please do write and let me know what it is like.  I would also be interested to hear whether it really is as interesting as I believe it is.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sant’Ambrogio and Christmas shopping in Milan - Updated!!

December 2, 2006 · Filed Under Milan · Comment 

Every year in Milan there is the Sant’Ambrogio holiday on the 7th December. Sant’Ambrogio is the patron saint of Milan and to celebrate the day dedicated to the Milanese Saint there is the ‘Oh Bei, Oh Bei’ mercatino. ‘Mercatino’ literally means ‘little market’ whereas in actual fact the street market held near the Sant’Ambrogio church should really be called a ‘mercatone’- which is ‘big market’, for that is what it is. A number of streets around the Cattolica University were crammed with stalls selling all sorts of goodies, both edible and not so edible, this year the market has been moved to the more spacious area surrounding the Castello, which is at the end of Via Dante. You can find the ‘porchetta’ sandwiches - which are pork sandwiches, only the pork has been embellished with certain spices and tastes very good. You can also munch on the calorific round and flat pieces of dough, the name of which escapes me, which are deep fried in oil and then rolled in sugar. Yummy, but not good for diets. There are also stalls selling antiques, paintings and many other trinkets.

The market itself is worth wandering around as it is a feast for the eyes and it also provides an opportunity to pick up a few presents and other things for Christmas. The only problem is that the area used to become absolutely packed with inquisitive people, but it was well worth the battle with the crowds in my opinion. This year the area may not be so crowded due to the move to the zone around the castle, which should mean the crowds have a little more space to circulate. Usually at this time of year the cold is starting to bite and everyone is dressed up in heavy winter coats to keep the cold at bay. Not this year though. This year the real cold has yet to make an appearance, indeed the news today carried a piece about the absence of snow in the Alps, unless you go above 2500 metres. The ski resorts are becoming a little panicky as it is generally at this time of year that the ski season kicks off. Not just yet, this year.

Anyway if you happen to find yourself in Milan on the 7th of December, wander on down to the Castello area and do some serious browsing around the street market. It’s worth it. Oh and if it is cold, and even if it is not, order a ‘cioccolato con panna montata’ from any nice looking bar that takes your fancy. If you like chocolate, you will like this!

I should also add that Milan is a great place to do your Christmas shopping too. There is a wonderful variety of shops and plenty of places which do presenty things in the centre of town - there is a good shop in Corso Matteotti, which is near Piazza San Babila. I don’t know the name, but it is on the left hand side of the road as you walk up Matteotti with your back to Piazza San Babila.

There is also the L’Artigiano in Fiera - Craft Fair - which is held annually in the Fiera complex which can be accessed easily from the red metro line. Get off at the Amendola Fieramilanocity stop. Entrance to this fair is free and it only runs from 2nd to the 10th of December. It is a great place to find Christmas prezzies as there is usually a myriad of stalls selling stuff from all over the word, not just Italian bits and bobs. The prices are not frightening, but the choice is!You can usually find some nice food in the restaurants which are open in the fair complex.

Have fun!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,