Today is the 12th anniversary of 9/11 and then as now I am here in Florence. It is also Wednesday, when during the warm weather months, the Academy Gallery, home to David, holds its
"Art Cocktail" (Aperitivo ad Arte) from 7 - 10 pm. With a wonderful memory of the Art Cocktail last year on the Uffici atop the Loggia dei Lanzi (see last year's post Uffizi Terrace Cocktail Hour, Sept. 17) comprising a visit to several rooms in the museum as well as an incomparable, close-up view of Florence's major monuments), the office staff looked forward to an encore.
Well, there were a few differences. First of all,
although I am exempt from paying because I have a press pass, admission to the Art Cocktail is now 15 euro as compared to the 12 euro charged a year ago. Mind you, the admission price to the Academy in the same time span has gone up to 11 euro from 10 euro.
The office staff noticed another difference: there were lots of dips (above), chips and nuts (below), but the fresh fruit salad had disappeared. As American would say, 'less bang for your buck.'
What there was, however, was plentiful. To be fair, a new entry appeared on Art Cocktail buffet table: finger sandwiches, mercifully minus the mayonnaise so dear
to Americans. Unfortunate to report, the selection of pasta dishes and rice salads had vanished as well.
We can report that at least one main course was offered, and a Tuscan specialty at that:
panzanella or bread salad (above). Raised parsimoniously, Tuscans soak their day-old unsalted bread with the result resembling couscous. To this base they add tomato, sliced cucumber and onion as well as basil, dressing the panzanella with olive oil and a dash of vinegar. Served chilled or at room temperature, the dish is refreshing on a hot day (keep in mind it is still 80° and sunny in Florence).
The Art Cocktail comes with an accompanying drink of choice: sangria for those with a sweet tooth,
red wine, white wine or a cocktail of course.
I chose a Spritz (above) -- chilled spumante and aperol.
As I and the office staff sipped our drinks and ate the food, nicely set up in
the Academy Gallery courtyard which afforded a breath of air and a place to sit, thoughts of the
9/11 anniversary surfaced. To my mind, the world had become then (and still is) more and more materialistic, characterized by an increasing emphasis on speed and greed, with an ever-less 'bang for the buck.' There seems to be ever-growing extremism, visible in the violence of 9/11, whether of a consumeristic or a fanatic religious kind.
The antidote stood before me.
Michelangelo's David in all his glory, bathed in the golden light of sunset.
(The picture was sneaked as no photos are allowed in the Academy).
This icon of Western civilization was sculpted between 1501 and 1504, in the days of no indoor heating or plumbing.
For a brief season, Florence had returned to being a self-governing republic: David the giant slayer had defeated the Goliath, with only a slingshot no less.
Frozen in Carrara marble from Tuscany, and in time, David represents the free, immortal soul of man
minus the trappings, not even a wardrobe.
Our potential.
People come from far and wide to be reminded.
Hey, maybe I saw the glass half empty instead of half full: the average visitor only pays 4 euro extra for a cocktail, a pre-dinner--instead of a dinner--buffet, no standing in line, and an
almost private visit with David.
That alone is almost worth the plane ticket.
Reporting live from Beautiful Florence
-- Rosanna
although I am exempt from paying because I have a press pass, admission to the Art Cocktail is now 15 euro as compared to the 12 euro charged a year ago. Mind you, the admission price to the Academy in the same time span has gone up to 11 euro from 10 euro.
The office staff noticed another difference: there were lots of dips (above), chips and nuts (below), but the fresh fruit salad had disappeared. As American would say, 'less bang for your buck.'
to Americans. Unfortunate to report, the selection of pasta dishes and rice salads had vanished as well.
panzanella or bread salad (above). Raised parsimoniously, Tuscans soak their day-old unsalted bread with the result resembling couscous. To this base they add tomato, sliced cucumber and onion as well as basil, dressing the panzanella with olive oil and a dash of vinegar. Served chilled or at room temperature, the dish is refreshing on a hot day (keep in mind it is still 80° and sunny in Florence).
The Art Cocktail comes with an accompanying drink of choice: sangria for those with a sweet tooth,
red wine, white wine or a cocktail of course.
As I and the office staff sipped our drinks and ate the food, nicely set up in
the Academy Gallery courtyard which afforded a breath of air and a place to sit, thoughts of the
9/11 anniversary surfaced. To my mind, the world had become then (and still is) more and more materialistic, characterized by an increasing emphasis on speed and greed, with an ever-less 'bang for the buck.' There seems to be ever-growing extremism, visible in the violence of 9/11, whether of a consumeristic or a fanatic religious kind.
The antidote stood before me.
(The picture was sneaked as no photos are allowed in the Academy).
This icon of Western civilization was sculpted between 1501 and 1504, in the days of no indoor heating or plumbing.
For a brief season, Florence had returned to being a self-governing republic: David the giant slayer had defeated the Goliath, with only a slingshot no less.
Frozen in Carrara marble from Tuscany, and in time, David represents the free, immortal soul of man
minus the trappings, not even a wardrobe.
Our potential.
People come from far and wide to be reminded.
Hey, maybe I saw the glass half empty instead of half full: the average visitor only pays 4 euro extra for a cocktail, a pre-dinner--instead of a dinner--buffet, no standing in line, and an
almost private visit with David.
That alone is almost worth the plane ticket.
Reporting live from Beautiful Florence
-- Rosanna
Wish I could have been there. Thanks for the description. Long live David!!
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