A Tour of SACI

Today the highlighted sightseeing location was SACI, or the Studio Art Center International Florence. There, the director, David Davidson, gave us a personal tour of the facility. We were also able to look at a temporary exhibit currently open at the school titled “Ephemera.” Deborah Zlotsky, the artist, has created an exhibition specifically for SACI using objects that only last for a brief time. The artist uses everyday products such as notebook paper, plastic, napkins in her work. In Latin, we translated an apotheosis (a story depicting a person ascending to heaven) written by Petronius in his Satyricon. This Latin translation related to our Roman excursion where we saw the Forum and talked about the apotheosis and procession depicted in the Arch of Titus. In the apotheosis that we translated, the same style of procession was depicted and helped us conceptualize what we saw at the Forum. Today was hot but definitely a day to remember. 

By Matthew Hayashi

Latin Comes to Life

On July 20th, the Roman and Florentine Calder Classics groups came together for a tour of the Circus Maximus and Roman Forum. At the Circus Maximus, we learned about the great competitions that once took place there, including chariot races. The chariot races were made vivid by the Florentine group's reading of "Phaeton and Phoebus." The Roman group's reading of "Ars Amatoria” helped us understand the flirtatious nature of men at the Circus Maximus. Next we visited the Roman Forum, where we saw what was once the center of Roman trade, religion, and politics. The scorching heat was worth bearing to see the beautiful arches and basilicas made centuries ago. We even got a glimpse of the Colosseum! The two groups had a great time together. It was also a sad day as the Florentine group said goodbye to Matteo Boria and Sarah Murphy, who will join the Rome Calder Classics group. The train ride home through the Italian countryside was a great end to our day.

By Sam Gallen

Visit to the Artist Lorenzo Pezzatini's Studio

On Friday, the students of Calder Classics journeyed to the studio of a gifted contemporary artist, Lorenzo Pezzatini. Lorenzo showed us his Filo, an abstract string of red, blue, and yellow, and explained its significance and beauty, which is so clearly depicted in his pieces. Throughout his life, Lorenzo Pezzatini faced many challenges and successes that are not only shown in his pieces, but also in his Filo. The Filo became his own language, one that inspires all of his creations.

By Emma Swenson

Bargello Museum

This afternoon, we visited the Bargello Museum, a collection exclusively for statues. We saw beautiful art of every size, from tiny and detailed to massive and grand. Some of the most impressive works included a gorgeous chapel, covered in frescoes depicting heaven and hell, a statue of Mercury, balanced precariously on his toes, and Donatello's David. A polar opposite of Michelangelo's, this statue embodies the character of the biblical fable, looking young, weak, and being also the underdog in the world of art critics. 

By Anson Jones

Santa Croce

OPA! This Latin-loving group visited Santa Croce in Florence. We didn't get to meet Dante, but we saw where he used to sit and now where he lays - except his body isn't actually there. His cenotaph still looked beautiful to us despite his absence. 

By Sarah Murphy