Rebirth

I’ve had a strong fascination with Art and European history since I was in high school. I studied both subjects in Paris and Rome during my junior and senior years in college but wasn’t able to make it to Florence. I find it funny that I didn’t make it to the birthplace of the Renaissance during my time as a student. Thanks to Brad’s choice, I’d finally get visit Florence and see some works of art I had only seen in my textbooks.

I don’t like to plan too far ahead but the most popular museums are closed on specific days so planning ahead is worth it in that regard. I’ve known people who’ve spontaneously day-tripped to major cities only to realize certain museums happen to be closed on that day. I can’t imagine that kind of avoidable disappointment. We had about a week in Florence so we were able to plan around museum closures, purchase our admission tickets in advance and include a visit to both L’Accademia and the Uffizi Gallery comfortably on different days. While I was getting excited about seeing Michaelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus (just to name a few), there was an important art scene I hadn’t even considered in that city; the street art scene. As I walked around during our time there, I noticed some specific styles of work. When I returned home, I learned many of the works were by artists, Clet Abraham and L’arte sa nuotare (Blub). As I weaved through the city, stumbling upon the classics and the contemporary, I stopped to appreciate this specific collision of worlds. I love the thought of artistic rebirths being celebrated in very different ways in Florence. I always have an appreciation for local art wherever I find myself but western art was my first love and it’s a major reason why I’m repeatedly drawn back to Europe.