The Gucci loafer, one of the most iconic shoes to ever be “Made in Italy,” turns 60 this year. In 1953, Gucci transformed the concept of the loafer, or “mocassino” with the release of its own version. This did more than simply make the Gucci brand name famous–the loafer became synonymous with the brand.
compiled by Tegan GEORGE
Nobel Italians Prize Winners Throughout History: A Story Of Achievement
On International Women’s Day 2012, the City of Rome bestowed the Venere Award on 20 leading women whose contributions across social, artistic and political spheres improve the City’s culture, health and wellness. Among them, Ludovica Rossi Purini, President of Compagnia per la Musica and frequent collaborator with the Italian Academy Foundation, received recognition for her dedication to music.
With a politically and socially active career, Federica Olivares has made an influential figure in the American and Italian cultural spheres. Olivares was most recently appointed as a cultural advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giulio Terzi.
The Italian Academy Foundation announced that Kim Brizzolara has joined its board of directors. Ms. Brizzolara is a feature and documentary film producer and serves as an advisor to several non-profit organizations. She is executive vice chair of the Hamptons International Film Festival, serves on the Board of the We are Family Foundation, and Creative Visions, and is a member of the Women’s Leadership Board at the School of Government at Harvard.
The first woman to be appointed as Italian Consul General in New York, Minister Plenipotentiary Natalia Quintavalle took her seat at the Park Avenue Consulate in September 2011. The prestigious assignment is only the last of a series of important achievements in her diplomatic career, which has seen her actively work in the defense of human rights and in the promotion of Italian culture and interests in the world.
In the packed concert hall of Teatro Sociale in the ancient medieval quarter of Bergamo, a young Italian visual artist was the first recipient of a new award: The New York Italian Academy Foundation Award, presented by the International Cultural Festival of Bergamo in early April, 2011.
Milan-native and expert archeologist Gionata Rizzi is looking to conserve a small part of New York City’s young history.
Enchanted by the deep shadows and brilliant light of Caravaggio’s timeless work, Bill Viola seeks to retain a similar aura in his own art.
by Ambassador Giulio Terzi
I am delighted to be here with you again today and honored by your invitation, a most welcome sign of your great friendship. The last time I had the pleasure of being with you – as Permanent Representative to the United Nations – I talked about international security issues. Over the last year and a half, I have somehow changed my perspective – but not too much: in Washington, diplomatic work is at once global and bilateral too. Today I would like to address a topic which has both a global scope, as it relates to the world’s monetary system, and a “bilateral” one which refers to relations between the EU and the US: I am referring to the stability of the euro-zone.
During his February visit to the U.S., Gianfranco Fini attended a reception at the Library of Congress hosted by the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, where he presented a rare volume of Michelangelo: La Dotta Mano, as a gift to Congress. Late in the evening, Fini attended a dinner hosted by Italian Ambassador Giulio Terzi.
I could not be more happy to speak about two of the issues we are currently dealing with at the Italian Mission to the United Nations. One of our top concerns in the past year has been Italy’s leadership of the Group of the Eight Most Industrialized Countries, whose work we have tried to correlate more closely with the agenda of the United Nations. The other is the Lisbon Treaty, which enters into force on December 1, and promises to affect the role of the European Union at the United Nations. I promise to be brief.
America’s Rome: Artists in the Eternal City, 1800-1900 The Fenimore Art Museum is organizing the first major exhibition on the topic of American artists’ depictions of 19th-century Rome, called America’s Rome: Artists in the Eternal City, 1800-1900. This project, inspired by the important interdisciplinary work of William L. Vance, will be undertaken in celebration of […]
Armani Fifth Avenue Flagship Nicknamed in Italy “Re Giorgio” (King George), Giorgio Armani now presides on Fifth Avenue, New York City. The impeccable and innovate design of his flagship store reflects the renowned elegance of his brand. Its stunning presence speaks to the designer’s optimism and faith in the American economy to recover. “I believe […]
Made in Italy, Found in NY Salumeria Rosi 283 Amsterdam Ave. 212 877 4800 1042 Lexington Avenue. 212 774 1886 Two of three objects “Made in Italy,” designed by the Italian company Mebel, selected for the permanent collection of the museum of modern art. The company specializes in designs using the material “melamine,” which […]
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.
by Laura GIACALONE
Sometimes the story preceding a movie– the original glimpse of an idea, the attentive archive research, the choice of characters and settings – is as interesting and compelling as the movie itself. That’s the case of Puccini e la fanciulla (Puccini and The Girl), the last magnificent movie by Paolo Benvenuti and Paola Baroni produced by Arsenali Medicei and the Fondazione Festival Pucciniano. The release of the movie coincides with the 150th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s birth and sheds a new light on the Italian composer’s life and genius.
The Italian Journal interviews Paolo Benvenuti, director of Puccini e la faniculla
by Michael DISABATO
There is a significant debate going on in America regarding the future of free market capitalism. The recession is starting to cause the American system of free market capitalism to look unreliable.
Italian corporate leaders share their reasons for remaining positive about business in 2009.
Almost 400 years after the 17th century scientist’s discoveries, an interdisciplinary team of scholars in Florence spent two years recreating the instrument Galileo Galilei used to view the night sky.