…the opening of our shutters to welcome the day at our villa was fantastic: no rain just sunshine! The boys enjoyed another breakfast, but this one was extra special as the every famous and most delicious blood oranges were made available to them to enjoy.
Once again, thanks to our guide we had a private boat to take us to the island in Venice that specializes in the ancient art form of glass blowing. Our guide told us that the art form of making of Venetian glass mirrors was kept secret for decades. The penalty was death for divulging any information with regards to this exquisite craft. Of course this lead to lengthy discussions on whether some art forms are considered ‘art’ or ‘craft’.
The boys were entranced as these master craftsmen did a demonstration for them. They are brilliantly skilled as it takes them ten to fifteen years to become a master. Your sons marvelled at the way a form would take shape at such high temperatures. Before their eyes the master ‘pulled’ a glass horse from a ball of glass. A celebration to be sure, his abilities were effortless and they enjoyed every moment!
Today’s mask-making and Commedia dell’Arte workshop was absolutely and unforgettably magnificent! “Tragi comica”, located in the heart of Venice, is filled with the most intricate and masterfully designed masks imaginable. This family of mask-making masters has spent years creating and working with the authentic masks of the original Commedia stock characters. During our three hour workshop, the boys learned about the history of this unique style of theatre which is where the first improvised style of acting/performance originated in Italy in the fourteenth century. We were then treated to a performance by one of the famous local Commedia performers. He had the boys performing the authentic gestures of the traditional Arlecchino character – the bear and the cat! It was fabulous to see the boys performing in the middle of a beautiful sun filled piazza! Then we came to the part of the workshop that we’d all been greatly anticipating… the mask-making!! Each of the boys selected their own unique base mask shell which they then transformed using their imaginations (and a whole lot of paint, braid, glitter, feathers and ribbon) and created the most incredibly wonderful masks. They worked masterfully in the studio; so much so that the owners/coordinators of the workshop took time at the end to tell us that our group was the best one they have ever had the pleasure of working with! No kidding. The boys blew us all away today, as they have everyday of our amazing adventure, with their enthusiasm, interest and keenness to participate with unbelievable gusto… and I’m not referring only to their gelato consumption!!
Once again, thanks to our guide we had a private boat to take us to the island in Venice that specializes in the ancient art form of glass blowing. Our guide told us that the art form of making of Venetian glass mirrors was kept secret for decades. The penalty was death for divulging any information with regards to this exquisite craft. Of course this lead to lengthy discussions on whether some art forms are considered ‘art’ or ‘craft’.
The boys were entranced as these master craftsmen did a demonstration for them. They are brilliantly skilled as it takes them ten to fifteen years to become a master. Your sons marvelled at the way a form would take shape at such high temperatures. Before their eyes the master ‘pulled’ a glass horse from a ball of glass. A celebration to be sure, his abilities were effortless and they enjoyed every moment!
Today’s mask-making and Commedia dell’Arte workshop was absolutely and unforgettably magnificent! “Tragi comica”, located in the heart of Venice, is filled with the most intricate and masterfully designed masks imaginable. This family of mask-making masters has spent years creating and working with the authentic masks of the original Commedia stock characters. During our three hour workshop, the boys learned about the history of this unique style of theatre which is where the first improvised style of acting/performance originated in Italy in the fourteenth century. We were then treated to a performance by one of the famous local Commedia performers. He had the boys performing the authentic gestures of the traditional Arlecchino character – the bear and the cat! It was fabulous to see the boys performing in the middle of a beautiful sun filled piazza! Then we came to the part of the workshop that we’d all been greatly anticipating… the mask-making!! Each of the boys selected their own unique base mask shell which they then transformed using their imaginations (and a whole lot of paint, braid, glitter, feathers and ribbon) and created the most incredibly wonderful masks. They worked masterfully in the studio; so much so that the owners/coordinators of the workshop took time at the end to tell us that our group was the best one they have ever had the pleasure of working with! No kidding. The boys blew us all away today, as they have everyday of our amazing adventure, with their enthusiasm, interest and keenness to participate with unbelievable gusto… and I’m not referring only to their gelato consumption!!
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