FIVE YEARLY WINDOWS FOR TWELVE MONTHS

Simone Martini, Saint Martin of Tours, 1322-1326, Basilica di San Francesco, Assisi, Italy 

My favorite day of the year is New Year's Eve. To me, this day is the first window into my life journey's renewal. Celebrating a new start to the journey with the rest of the world is definitely a great event. 

The egg is a symbol of rebirth and renewal. 

However, there are other important windows during the year. Among all celebrations in Italy, we can list FIVE important occasions to celebrate the yearly revivals: 1. New Year's Eve, Easter, August 15th - also known as 'Ferragosto', November 11th - also known as 'St. Martin's day' and Christmas. Most recently I heard people rename 'Ferragosto': 'Summer New Year's, probably because of the fireworks closing the day's celebrations just like we do on New Year's Eve. 

We are now way ahead towards autumn. Our next yearly renewal appointment is November 11th. In Italy, on this day we celebrate Saint Martin of Tours. The reason is that we remind ourselves of being charitable in order to face the seasons' craziness.

Fireworks in Italy are part of the Ferragosto celebrations
on  August 15th 

These five-yearly celebrations became part of the religious and political calendar in classical ages already- such as the case of Ferragosto, which was the name given to this celebration by Emperor Augustus - Feriae Augusti --> Ferragosto in Italian ---> etymology from Latin: Augustus vacations. However in the beginning these celebrations were part of nature's revival cycles. These cycles were described by the fruits of the earth, among which wheat was indispensable for survival since the dawn of time. Ferragosto was meant to celebrate the closing of the wheat harvesting period. 

Christmas atmosphere in Sicily 

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'C' FOR 'CITY CLAIMS'

Diet Coke Is Targeting San Francisco Techies With Tone Deaf Ads 

Upon my arrival to San Francisco I felt that the city was talking to me with a beautiful voice. Nothing had changed for me from twenty years before when I had visited the city the first time.  Things were even better as everything around me started sending written messages through witty, up-to-date campaigns. 

The first day I took the bus it kindly told me to 'hold on'. A few days later an ad on a large screen on the way home said 'there are no wrong turns'. I switch on the tv and they give me addresses of companies helping start-ups get going. 

Last but not least a sign said that it's never too late to be kind. That I certainly need a reminder for as it is the most difficult thing to do. However the most fascinating of all claims is the Coca-Cola ad, that goes like this: 

YOU MOVED TO 

San Francisco is the Renaissance city of modern times.
There are plenty of opportunities. It gives everybody a
second chance. 

SAN FRANCISCO
WITH AN IDEA
FOR A START-UP,
A NAME FOR A START-UP
AND ZERO MONEY 
FOR A START-UP.
YOU ARE ON
DIET COKE 

As of yesterday this ad was still around in the city especially in the area of the Temporary Transbay Terminal and along Market street. I love to live the moment with everybody around me fostering and playing along for making something happen.  

I love San Francisco. I love Renaissance cities! I love running with other people who are enjoying what they are doing. Making their art part of their lives. Giving their best for binging innovation. That's why in San Francisco I feel I am on! 

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This is my second edition  of short  stories entitled "Cake Stands for Cama": stories about my favorites starting with the letter "C". 

FIVE ITALIAN INTANGIBLE ARTS

Italy is world known for good food. You will never guess what
acknowledgment it has recently received. 

In 2008 Unesco created a dedicated arts program known as List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

This list includes all arts that are not translated into products of use. However contributing to the advance of our cultural world heritage as testimonials of our identity: a craft processing method (i.e. Violin traditional craftsmanship in Cremona), a community singing art (Sardinian Pastoral Songs), a unique theater performing art (Sicilian Puppet Theater), and a community popular tradition  (Celebrations of big shoulder-borne processional structures whose files are currently under process). 

These examples are actually four out of the five intangible arts coming from Italy. The fifth art is being shared with other countries belonging to the Mediterranean Sea. These countries are as follows: Greece, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Cyprus, Croatia, and Italy. What do you think this art is? I would have never thought about it. Give it a guess. It's the Mediterranean diet! 

The Mediterranean sea from an old map enhanced its fascination as a cultural cradle.

The violin traditional craftsmanship in Cremona is a Unesco
intangible art. 

I first thought of writing a post about intangible arts when I visited Pietra Ligure (Savona) last year upon a national competition of artistic flower tapestries. 

Then I thought of intangible arts again when looking at the sand art creations by California artist Jim Denevan. Denevan's artwork is described as temporary drawings eventually erased by waves and weather. 

Sand Art by Jim Denevan 

Last but not least Italy's Consul General in San Francisco recently wrote a post about Italian intangible arts in his blog. That was a great reminder and so flattering to write about the same subject. What I did is that I wrote my post first and then double-check with Consol's post. The conclusion is that I wish you to visit the Consul's post about intangible arts because art descriptions are very detailed and in accordance with Unesco's guidelines.  However, what our posts have in common is that both start with the Mediterranean diet! Which art can bring more peace than sitting at a dinner table with family and friends? 

The Sicilian Puppet Theater is known as 'Opera dei Pupi'
and is a famous marionette theater. 

Pastoral songs in Sardinia are part of the Unesco cultural heritage. It is a
polyphonic singing style classical of profane music in Sardinia. 

A famous procession takes place every year in GUBBIO, Italy. It is a shoulder-borne processional structure  (macchina a spalla in Italian) with huge candleholders. Now competing to be part of the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

The art of flower tapestries is very vivid in the Liguria region famous for their
extensive flowers growing. 

A detail of the peacock's head. The peacock is the symbol of transformation,
rebirth, and rejuvenation. It has been portrayed in many Renaissance
paintings. 

Flower tapestries started as a tradition in Italy for Easter Religious Celebrations.
Will they be the next  Italian art joining the UNESCO list of intangible arts?

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La Bella Figura

In Italy we care much about details and we believe they help us make

a good impression. In this image examples of classical Italian style:

Designer Emilio Pucci: details and art together equal classy. 

Have you even invited your friends with expressions such as: "let me make a good impression" or "help me make a good impression"? Have you ever heard of such a social habit in Italy? Basically it's what we say to other Italians when we are about to do something important in our life or just show up at a party. It goes under the name of 'bella figura'. 

It literally means 'the beautiful figure' because it is mostly described as a way of dressing at best. It has to do with your look and is based on caring for details. When La bella figura is more engaging it has to do with a performance in your life, something that will change your life. Your acting at best. Sometimes in Italy it is also used as a light-harted joke. 

Italians, let's make a good impression together!
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'La Bella Figura' is very dear to me as I think it is actually when I really feel Italian and I find a reason for my fellows to be close to me. No Italians would refuse your invitation to help you make a good impression. It's when Italians' mirror neurons go at their highest speed! 

This is what made me wish to have a group of followers in Italy who were willing to make a good impression with me upon my journey with the Friends of Cama.  The reason is that I wish to take Italy with me in my travels abroad! 

Additionally 'La Bella Figura' is some sort of approval by other Italians. Within a light-hearted subject such as making a good impression there is much authenticity that tells you much about us. Also it is a way of feeling more secure as you want to put your best foot forward. 

Italian grandeur and elegance in the creations of Roberto
Capucci. Florence has dedicated a museum to him. 

I originally wanted to describe 'La Bella Figura' with a foreigner's voice, so that you get the point of view of someone who is not Italian. However by reading reviews about 'La Bella Figura'' I have ended up learning more about what we do naturally in Italy and enjoyed describing it. I hope I gave you an idea of what 'La Bella Figura' is all about. 

It's amazing how much I like the Italian philosophy of 'La Bella Figura' as in Italy we tend to be pessimistic when we gather together with other Italians. Some lightness makes me feel so much more at ease! Truly the shallower the 'Bella Figura' is is the more I like it!  After all in Italy we give our best out of unawareness and 'La Bella Figura' is a classic. 

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"C" for "COLORS"

The symbols of peace (dove) 

and plenty (cat).

Peace is on top of plenty.

Last year I found out something interesting regarding the family crest of an Italian noble family of the area in which I am currently living.  It is important to me because it is related to colors and their meaning.

heraldic dove 

The family crest is divided into two horizontal parts: the upper blue background is on top of the red part, wrapped by a classical gold/yellow ribbon. By looking at the family crest I suddenly felt I could relate to the colors on a personal level: blue for the color of my father's eyes and red for the family's workshop floor at Cama's. 

                                      

The family crest on a fresco surrounded by Renaissance grotesques. 

Heraldic cat
(Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License)

It is thanks to the crest's symbols, the dove and the cat, that I understood the meaning of its colors: blue stands for peace  (a dove carrying an olive sprig), and red stands for abundance (a walking cat with a majestic head).  Indeed the sign of a well-fed cat is indicative of wealth whereas the dove is an international symbol of peace. 

But there is more to it. By studying the relationship between peace and abundance, I also discovered that in mythology peace accompanies plenty, the two allegories are described and painted together. In classical ages, events happened through the action of couples, just like the sparkle of love!

This is my free interpretation of the family crest by looking at it through the eyes of my experience, the colors of my time at Cama, and Renaissance symbolism. I hope you are enjoying my discoveries with me. 

Tiffany Blue or 'Robin's Egg Blue'

One of the pastel shades of red: candy pink

note: I am learning with this post that the American Robin lays blue eggs. This color is called 'Robin's egg blue'. It's better known as Tiffany blue. I love this color! 

This is my fourth post of short stories entitled "Cake Stands for Cama": stories about my favorites starting with "C".  I hope you enjoyed it!

                                                                    

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Original Posts by Roberta Niccacci -

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Welcome back, Roberta!

A NOTE FROM ROBERTA NICCACCI

Dear Friends and Customers,

I am back at my family's workshop full time after about ten years of absence. I am thrilled to start this experience again. I am more enthusiastic than ever.

I would like to share the experience of selling Cama ceramics in your country first hand. I would like to treasure the art of Cama as a family and friends experience.

Love,

Roberta

photo: Roberta & Andrea Niccacci at Cama Deruta.

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