Star Chef of France Admits to “Secret Ingredient” With six Michelin stars to show for his restaurants in Roanne, Burgundy, Paris and Tokyo, the renowned Chef Michel Troisgos, celebrates the Italian heart of European cuisine with his latest book entitled L’Italie (2009). In a recent interview with the Italian national newspaper il Corriere della sera, […]
More “Expressive Richness” Two writers tracked 57 Italian newspapers over 10 years and discovered 4,000 new words in common usage. Ranging from botulinato (botox) to Zidanata (Zidane-esque, after the French soccer celebrity who became infamous for his expulsion from the 2006 World Cup). Their book, Neologisms: New Words from the News, provides a snapshot of […]
Exhibits of particular note Venice 53rd Venice Biennale: Fare Mondi // Making Worlds // Bantin Duniyan // 制造世界 // Weltenmachen // Construire des Mondes // Fazer Mundos… Giardini and Arsenale exhibition venues. June 7 – November 22, 2009 Since 1895, the prestigious Venice Biennale has promoted new artistic trends and organized international events in the […]
Italian Gem The opening night for the Bulgari anniversary show in Rome was filled with gem-studded stars, creating a glittering effect both inside the exhibition rooms and out. The stunning display of gems tell the 125-year-old history of the renowned Italian jeweler, whose diamonds, emeralds and rubies adorned the most beautiful women of the last […]
Woody’s Schicchi in Spoleto I have no idea what I’m doing,” Woody Allen said to The Los Angeles Times, “but incompetence has never prevented me from plunging in with enthusiasm.” Mr. Allen was referring to his operatic directorial debut of Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi in Italy. Allen’s Gianni Schicchi, one of the three opera’s in Puccini’s […]
Leaders of Talking In times of economic crisis, Italians might have to downsize in certain areas… but never mobile phones. A recent report by the European Union on telecommunications showed that, compared to the U.S.’s 84% cell phone penetration, Italians are at 119% market penetration. The visual evidence is everywhere–– churches, restaurants, openings. During the […]
The Farewell of a Lifetime The gracious and elegant documentary about the fashion designer Valentino was a surprising box-office hit when it opened in New York in March 2009, after premiering in the Venice Film Festival in 2008. Valentino: The Last Emperor touched upon more than the fashion designer’s glamorous career and opulent lifestyle. On […]
LA DOLCE…GRAFICA DESIGNER GIULIO IACHETTI CURATES AN ILLUSTRATED TOUR OF RECENT ITALIAN ICONOGRAPHY. BACI PERUGINA, THE VESPA SCOOTER AND THE STOVETOP ESPRESSO MAKER ARE RECREATED IN LIGHTHEARTED DRAWINGS BY THE ARTISTS “ALE+ALE.” ACCOMPANYING EACH ILLUSTRATION ARE DESCRIPTIONS BY TOP ITALIAN INDUSTRIAL AND GRAPHIC DESIGNERS, INCLUDING ALBERTO BASSI, ALESSANDRO GUERRIERO AND CHRISTINA MOROZZI.
Italy in America, via WWW www.i-italy.org What started as a group project at the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute of the Queens College of New York has developed into something far more ubiquitous and impactful: the web community of i-Italy.com. Its bilingual bloggers, multimedia content and social networking site captured the attention of the […]
The following is an excerpt from the debate entitled “ The Art Market is Less Ethical Than the Stock Market,” sponsored by Intelligence Squared U.S. and held at the Rosenkranz Foundation in New York City. Courtesy Media Transcripts.