Worth watching ... there's advice for the whole world there.
The interview with the politician and the comedian towards the end. Interesting.
Drogheria Torrielli, Genova
Anna and Emanuela, from Beautiful Liguria, took me wandering one day …deep into the heart of the medieval section of Genoa. And it felt a little like a magical carpet ride but perhaps that was because we began at Drogheria Torrielli.
It's more than just a spice shop but, for me, the initial impression was that I had stepped into the pages of a book I read long ago … The Mistress of Spices. A story about a priestess who knew the secret and magical powers of spices. Drogheria Torrielli seemed to promise ancient magic based on scent alone.
However the true story of this Genoese shop goes like this. In 1929 the grandfather of the current owners was working at the port of Genoa when an economic crisis hit and the work ran out. Way back then he decided to open a small supermarket, one of the first of its kind.
Moving forward, through time, into the 1970s and new people began to arrive in Genoa. Immigrants from Morocco and they were searching for spices from home. Over the years other immigrants followed and with them came the demand for spices from all over the world.
Drogheria Torrielli began selling spices and, in the years since, this shop has become a place were a melting pot of cultures meet. More than that though, they are consciously attempting to maintain a balance between tradition while embracing the new.
Standing there, taking photographs, watching customers come and go, it occurred to me that Drogheria Torrielli represents a miniature version of what makes this city something special. The world wanders in through their doors.
Address: Via San Bernardo, 32r.
My Beautiful Katie-Niece and A Piece of Her Art
My niece, Katie, recently sent me a copy of her end of year artwork. It's a delicately beautiful static image. She received 3 excellences for this work but even if she hadn't, I'm so proud of her talent.
And although I adore her, truly, madly, deeply ... she melted my heart some more when she wrote that I was represented by an object there too, as one of the people she loves.
She was the littlest creature when I left New Zealand and when I went home, I discovered both her and her sister are becoming the loveliest young women.
Oh yes ... I'm so proud of these girls.
The Craftsman
I'm back at the desk now ... for days I suspect. I just realised I have an unprocessed folder of photographs from Genova.
I'm torn between delight and something like despair, knowing how many hours will be spent here at the desk.
I can't share all of them, I need permissions but this one ... I love the moodiness of this one.
A Quietly Extraordinary Weekend ...
This weekend was a weekend where I experienced the extraordinary privilege of spending time with some remarkable people here in Antwerp. It was made possible by Sarah Neirinckx, the personal and third culture coach, owner of Bloom.
But I don't want to write of it yet because I need time to work out how to tell the story true, so that you get a sense of it ... without photographs. I need time.
It wasn't just about the workshop but I had offered the lovely Lynette a bed at our place while she attended the workshop. This was also an extraordinarily delightful experience. Having her to stay felt a little bit like some delightful Christmas fairy had climbed down from the tree and sparkled her way through our family. We all enjoyed her company.
Last night, I could barely form two sentences when I tried writing here. Today re-entry into the life of the extended family has been so much simpler despite the fact it was another inspiring, challenging, intense day.
But this woman ... Dr Brenda Davies led us all on an exquisite journey through these last few days. I'll write more as soon as I find the words.
Keys seem like an entirely appropriate image to end this short blog with. Normal service will surely return tomorrow.
Puerta Del Sol & Botart de Amberes, 2013
Founded in 1998, Puerta Del Sol is my wine shop of choice here in the city of Antwerp. The quality of their wine leaves you knowing they really care about wine. They visit each of their suppliers, check-in during the harvest to see what techniques are used and, over the years, have developed the ability to know immediately if the wine has been enhanced in ways that fail to meet their quality control standards.
I wasn't surprised to learn that Puerta Del Sol was born out of a passion for wine and Spain shared by owners – Guy, Frank and Jules. They host wine-tasting weekends several times a year, an open-door day, where people are welcome to come along and taste what they have in stock.
Something I find relatively common here in this Flemish city is modesty… a failure to beat the drum loudly. And so one day, in a conversation where I asked the right questions somehow, English-speaker that I am, I learned about a rather exciting art initiative organised by Puerta Del Sol.
BOTART is an art project that began in Mallorca, with Araceli Servera, oenologist and member of a family that has been creating Ribas wines since 1711.
The Ribas website explains that BOTART is all about 'uniting the world of wine with the world of creativity'. The central ideas is about raising the profile of artists living and working in their respective regions in Spain. That said, over the years, the Spanish version has extended its reach and in amongst those Mallorcan artists already featured are German and Egyptian-born artists. The Antwerp version, known as Botart de Amberes, is still all about artists here in Antwerp.
BOTART acknowledges and celebrates the creativity that goes into both painting and the art of wine-making. Honoring the fact that passion and imagination are required in both disciplines.
As retailers of the Ribas line of wines in Antwerp, Puerta Del Sol decided to answer the Spanish BOTART with their own version here and so Botart de Amberes was born. Heading the project are Guy Voet from Puerta Del Sol, Ernest Van Buynder of Mukha, and Adriaan Raemdonck from De Zwarte Panter Gallery. Together these three invite artists to take part in Botart de Amberes.
The 2013 event was not just about celebrating the two new artists - Guy Leclercq and Leonard Leenders - but it was also about the fact this is their third year running the project. Previous barrel artworks have come from Frieda Van Dun, Carolien Huber and Nick Andrews, with each barrel painted in a style that is representative of the artists usual work.
And just in case you're thinking these guys sound like people you might want to buy wine from, English and other languages are absolutely no problem. They're Belgians from Flanders. They do languages ...
You can find them and their divine wines at their shop here in Antwerp - Puerta Del Sol, Ter Rivierenlaan 118, 2100 Deurne.
The shot that follows was taken during speeches made at this years Botart de Amberes, on the evening when the two new artists were announced. I love looking for shots that are a little unusual and this was taken without flash in the offices of acerta, hosts of the event.
