When I decided I would try to spend my life as an artist, instead of trying to be something else just to make money and have health insurance and lots of security (gosh, that sounds so good!), I was hell bent and determined not to get caught up into the production mode that so many artists depend upon for their bread and butter money. You know what I mean... cranking out that one style of earring that sells sooooo well. Or mass producing buttons because their cost/price ratio is too good not to mass produce them.
Yes... the best laid plans...
Mind you, most of my work is sold in retail stores, with the understanding that every piece is unique and one of a kind. That approach actually sells kind of well here in Maine - you know, the quirky eccentric artist thing. But my one big show is coming up in a month, and I'm plagued with anxiety that I won't have enough inventory to even cover my table, much less last the full two days. So, what do I decide to do? PRODUCTION! What was I thinking?!?!
Ok. I got that out. Now I can get to more interesting topics....
"Mortis et Orationis Confraternitas" Say again?
That's latin for the "Brotherhood of Death and Prayer".*shivers*
Nadja and I stumbled upon this strange church in one of the "Terres" of Cinque Terres (sorry, can't remember which Terres it was. Nadja, do you remember?). I always knew that the Catholic Church had some... er... intense views about death, but this church was... well... unexpected. It was, as many churches are in Italy, very small but full of artistic statement. But when Nadja and I walked in we were dumb struck. Cherubs rubbing shoulders with lounging skeletons?
8 comments:
LOL! You crack me up Melanie! I totally empathize with your 'production' spiel. Sometimes though, as you've seen for yourself, you've said yes to a show many moons ago only to find it looming large in front of you only weeks away...and ya just gotta throw yourself to the clay gods and get busy in that studio and PRODUCE! Good luck with it! Take a snap shot of your table, I'd love to see!
Grinning...
Mel
Mel! How's winter treating you? Can you tell when it's winter there when snakes frequent your studio in August? ;)
Thanks for the "chin up" inspiration. Yeah, I'll feel better when it's all over... and maybe, just maybe, I'll remember next time not to say "yes"! Lol.
Oh yes that was a weird church! I searched the internet a little bit and it seems that this "Confraternitas" dates back to 1500 and something and that they took care of the burial of poor people. I don't remember the name of the village but wasn't it the one where you bought your real italian breakfast bowl?
Big HUGs to you my dear!
Nadja
Hello... I visited Cinqueterre and left enchanted by this place too. You are only of the only google results mentioning it! Seems on wikipedia that it's a 'purgatorial society'... but its still pretty mysterious
the very catholic graveyard at the top of the town was awesome too. it wasnt too old but was sooo italian, with pictures of the dead actually part of each tombstone (i saw a body builder in a speedo next to a photo of a man becoming a priest). knowing they lived together in that same town with that little weird church is very touching.
also, the town it is in is Monterrosso.
Yep Its In Monterosso, that place has a crazy feel when u walk in thats forsureee
yes, the village is Monterosso, I am from La Spezia and if you want I can add more photos or give other information, both on the church of the 5 lands.
The church was designed to pay hommage and to recognize all the people that died at sea. Fishermen would occassionally wash up on their shore and they felt the right thing to do would be to commemerate the unknown dead and pay their respects to them. I obtained this information from reading articles within the church. A very thoughtful people in Monterosso.
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