A New Member of the Team - Silvia Anna Barrilà

July 15, 2008 · Filed Under Art · Comment 

Thanks to the efforts of Gaetano Salvo, my Italy is in project which aims to help promote contemporary Italian artists, now has a valuable new member - Silvia Anna Barrilà.

As you will see from the short profile below, Silvia already has something of a journalistic pedigree, having written articles for top Italian publications such as ArtEconomy 24, which is part of the Il Sole 24 ORE group and for the major Italian news magazine Panorama. Read more

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Manic Monday

May 28, 2008 · Filed Under Work · Comment 

Yes, I know Monday is now but a memory, and that it is now Wednesday. But Monday was a fun day!

Why a fun day? Well, aside from the usual stuff, I also made a vulgar suggestion to an artist I had never spoken to before - in Italian, then, after having retrieved the little one from his school, I met up with two American friends, Chris Bright and Sean Carlos for a couple of pints down at the good old 442 - in the company of the 5 year old bundle of energy. To cap it all, in the middle of Monday I received a request for a translation which had to be completed by Tuesday morning.

To cap things off, and just before I was due to collect the little one, it appeared that persons unknown had been trying to hack my Italy is in site, which turn turned added a dose of ‘frenetic’ to what had already been quite a hectic day. In order to block the potential hack and prepare myself for the worst, I whizzed around changing passwords, and making backups, just to be on the safe side.

Then came the news that the Italian mother in law had been admitted to hospital with breathing problems, which caused worries all round. The poor lady is something of a ticking time bomb, and years of chain smoking have left her health somewhat unstable. A great shame, she is a very sweet person.

Despite all the action, I managed to get the translation job finished on time, and the client was quite pleased to discover the nicely formatted, thanks to WordFast, final version lying in her email inbox on Tuesday morning.

As for the vulgar suggestion I made to the artist, who, as I have already mentioned, I had not spoken to before in my life, I am pleased to say that said artist was not the least bit put out by what some artists may have considered a potentially sacrilegious idea. Although I won’t mention exactly what I am up to, you can read more about the idea on my new Italy is in Italian contemporary art site, in this my ‘Art Meets Business‘ article over on Italy is in.

At least the drink down the pub was pleasent, and I was pleased to hear that Chris seems to be getting things sorted out on the looking for a job in Italy front. Sean was in fine form too, and we exchanged geek info about WordPress and he ended up asking me if I really was ‘just’ an English teacher, after I fired off some info about server file permissions (775 for most folders and 644 for most files, incidentally), after I mentioned the attack which appeared to have taken place. Yes, running your own web sites can be traumatic at times.

I finally got to bed at around 2am, think is was. Great, and Tuesday was to prove no less hectic.

Actually the activity of both days left me dog tired, and I ended up collapsing and falling asleep on the sofa with the dog last night.

At least today will be a little less fraught, I hope.

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Italy Is In - An Italian Art Project

May 20, 2008 · Filed Under Art · 2 Comments 

It’s Gianpietro Carlesso’s fault. He gave me the idea, and so I set something up to help showcase contemporary Italian artists and, of course, their work. Let’s just say that I’m hoping to become a sort of art a&r man, or, rather an ‘art hunter’.

Hence Italy is in, which is now in it’s second and, I hope, final incarnation.

Trying to find the right look has not been easy, but thanks to a German WordPress theme designer Michael Oeser, and his wonderful WyntonMagazine theme, I think I’ve come up with something that looks the part and is functional.

Thanks to Gaetano Salvo, Blog from Italy’s erstwhile researcher, there are already three or so Italian artists on the site, with more to come.

There is even a Gallery, within which a greater number of works will be displayed by any Italian artists who wish to participate. Photographic contemporary art is also most welcome, and soon some photos will also be on display.

If you, my kind readers, know of any Italian artists, especially those who are not well known, but who would like the opportunity to attract a greater, potentially international, audience, then please do let me know - just use Italy is in’s Contact system.

We will be displaying as much as possible. You never know, you may be able to pick up the work of a budding Picasso at a decent price too! However, speculation is not the point, finding pieces you like is. Speculators, however, are just as welcome! Hopefully you will come across something that is original, and that you’d love to have hanging in your favourite room, or office, even.

You will also find a little information to help you understand more about Italian art and contemporary art in general. Posts which focus on Art Academies, workshops, and shows, will follow.

As ever, comments, suggestions, and feedback are more than welcome.

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