Two days

Looking down onto the dome of San Giorgio, Venice across the water at sunset.


Looking southwest toward the cloisters of San Giorgio, the Giudecca in the background.

View east toward the marina on San Giorgio, the Biennale gardens and S. Elena where I go running, and the Lido in the distant background.





Inside San Giorgio.


River in Vicenza; I loved the grasses in the water, they captured the movement.


Villa Rotunda.


View of the lawn from the steps.


This was one of the first truly hot days we've had, so we spread out under the trees to take in the smell of flowers and feel the grass on our feet. I like this picture because it looks like a moving still life, and because being there made me feel like I was lounging on the grass in the movie 'Much Ado About Nothing;' I think it was mostly that we were gazing at a villa, and that I was wearing white.


Looking down what was once the original entry point, now walled off.


Inside the Olympic Theater: I finally understand the images in my history book of the three doors. I'm continually amazed, though I guess I shouldn't be surprised, at how much more incredible all these sites are in person than in pictures.



From stage to ceiling.




These pictures are of two separate days last week, the first few from my trip up the San Giorgio bell tower in Venice, the second group from our visit to Vicenza on Wednesday. It's amazing to get up above the city, a feeling I've also had in Minneapolis, climbing the witch's tower. In flat places you just don't get that perspective, and it's so comforting to see everything spread out before you, like you can make sense of it all finally. This is especially satisfying in a place like Venice, where it is nearly impossible to clearly imagine a bird's eye view of your journey through the city.

I'm facing the final week here, feeling completely caught up in my studio project yet also realizing my time here is drawing to a close. There is a lot that I still would like to see, so hopefully I can pack it in the few days after our final presentations on Thursday. Time to get back to work.