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.
Things That Go Viral ...
I grew up with a rugby-loving dad and two rugby-loving brothers. Actually my mum loved rugby too and okay, my sister and I used to get quite excited when the All Blacks were playing.
Truth be told, sport is a huge thing in New Zealand.
And so it was, when Mark shared this advert about the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament over on Facebook ... well, I had to share. Here, there, and everywhere.
I can't believe BBC banned it. I was reading British comments over on Facebook, most of them loved it too.
I Think I Have Stories to Tell Tonight ...
I'm almost sure I have things to say ...
I was accepted by the NYC gallery, as one of their photographers but I couldn't afford them. There was a lot of money involved and, in the end, it seemed more about money than art. I would have loved working with them but by the time Gert and I reached the end of the contract, it was clear. And so very over.
Today a client ... a friend, the lines often blur, sent me a pdf of the book she's been writing. It's full of my photographs from that time when I was working with her, having some of the most excellent adventures and wandering the world, photographing so many friendly and talented artists.
So I'm excited about that.
And I won a prize today. Last Friday, I almost couldn't breathe for stress because I was two weeks behind on my rather intensive marketing course. I sat here at the computer, Saturday, Sunday ... Monday, and mostly caught up. And somewhere along the way, I posted news of my one-day photography workshop for women. It sold out in 12 hours. So I won the prize that I had taken no notice of last week. I was 'that' far behind. I shared the winning with Chris, the one we all knew would win.
I transcribed two Genova interviews this afternoon, then wrote them up as short pieces for a most exciting new Ligurian website launching soon. Photos were sent. And now for the rest. These were the shortest interviews.
It's been slightly manic of late. Life is humming. I'm attending a Māori hāngi in the months ahead. Photos and stories shall surely be posted because I can see how that event might become one of those big old delicious stories, out there on Flanders Fields.
There's talk of Norway and a favourite friend at the end of summer. Lots of photography. And I'm organising a series of 5-day workshops in Genova. If you have ever wanted to work with me then this is the one because I have a truly superb group of Genoese people willing to work with me. However my webpage is still under construction. It's all there, just not the 'Buy' button nor dates. I'm currently looking at July, earlier if there's time for anyone to be interested, then September, October, November.
However, I will get that under control in the days ahead.
Amy Turn Sharp is one of the poets I love best and she has finally published her first collection. I wrote. I have ordered. News of that will follow. Kay McKenzie Cooke is another favourite poet. She has also published a new book. I want to get there too. And Ren Powell is writing and will publish again, I'm sure of it.
Life is good. It's slightly surreal. I'm busy. I'm babysitting Miss 9 for this week-long crocus vacation, and sure enough, there are some little yellow beauties out there in the garden. And in-between everything else, I'm reading my way through a most excellent book ... the Man Booker prize-winning book, The Luminaries, by Eleanor Catton. I shall be sad when it comes to an end.
Permission.
... But when we give ourselves permission, we move past this. The world once again reveals itself to us. We become open and aware, patient and ready to receive it....We give ourselves permission because we are the only ones who can do so.
Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life, Dani Shapiro.
I love catching up with the wise words of Terri Windling via her blog, Myth & Moor. She's a soul-soother somehow.
Meanwhile, I completely agree with the concept of time. Something beautiful always emerges out of taking the time to play ... some of the best art, or the beginning of a series idea.
Needless to say, I'm missing Genova. Here's an imperfect glimpse, taken between the portrait shoots I was doing for my book.
Photography Workshops for Women.
I am running a photography workshop in April however do let me know if you have a small group of friends or want to work with me one-on-one, and we can work out another date that suits you.
Sunday 6 April, 2014.
We will begin at 10am and work through until 5pm.
(Lunch, with non-alcoholic drinks, included in workshop fee.)
Cost: includes lunch, drinks, an A3 notebook, and a copy of my 38-page e-book, titled Photography Made Beautifully Simple. Usually 65 euro.
I'll send you instructions on how to reach the venue beforehand.
Note: there are just 4 places, allowing for different cameras and giving me the time to work with each person.
The details: I'm launching a series of one-day photography workshops for women who want to take better photographs for their business blogs and/or personal blogs.
Women who don't have the flash camera or time to learn all there is to learn about photography. Women who do have the flash camera and want to know how to use it.
Together, small groups of us, will spend a few hours out in the city and park here in Antwerp, then head back to work on editing our images.
These will be an ongoing series of workshops. If you don't get everything you wanted to know in that first workshop, then come back ... and we'll hang out together and have a good time while we work on the rest.
I will help you with basic things like light, camera shake, and how to photograph people. We can work on how to tell the story of you, your family, or your business.
And how to create photographs you're happy to put out there in public.
I will also introduce you to a very basic but effective editing programme.
Contact me if you are interested, want to book a place, have questions, or requests about topics you're struggling with.
You will receive a free copy of my photography e-book, Photography Made Beautifully Simple, when you sign-up to work with me. It's a book that introduces you to your camera and its functions in small, easy-to-manage pieces and it would be superb if you are familiar with it before our workshop.
I'll be holding the workshops in Antwerp, in Belgium. If you need info about trains, parking and etc, don't hesitate to ask for more information.
