Gala

On the final Wednesday of our Italian semester, we had an amazing celebration. Knowing that their American guests would be missing their traditional Thanksgiving dinner at home, the Vasta family and their staff made us our very own party filled with food, drinks, entertainment, speeches, and art. It was such a great way to wrap up the semester. Having had our critique, we selected and displayed our favorite pieces of artwork for the Gala dinner that evening. Friends of the Vasta family and other locals joined us to have a feast consisting of an entire plate of appetizers, a plate of pasta, a33lb turkey, stuffing, eggplant, green beans, mushrooms, rolls, pickled onions, potatoes, and to top it off, a layered chocolate cake for dessert. Water, wine, and homemade sangria were available for us to drink with our dinner. Local art figures spoke about our artwork, and we handed out gifts and thank yous to the wonderful people at the villa that made us feel so much at home. Once most of the visiting guests left, the students watched a Thees production. This picture slide show triggered the reminiscent feelings that would only continue to grow after leaving the villa. What an amazing night!

Printing

Before we knew it, our break week was coming to an end and the remaining three weeks were all that remained of our semester. The last three weeks consisted of printmaking and Italian. Once classes began, we almost immediately began making our prints. Each of us had a meeting with the teacher to discuss what we wanted to draw and turn into a print. After this was decided, I used carbon paper to transfer my drawing to the piece of linoleum. The next step is carving, and lots of it! The incisions but be deep enough to avoid paint from seeping into the grooves. Our teacher pushed me to incorporate much more detail than I had originally planned, and though during the carving process I was regretting adding more, the finished result seems to be much more successful. Following numerous hours including an all-nighter in the the studio, we moved on to the printing stages. The linoleum is then covered in paint using a rubber roller to allow for even distribution. Measurements are made on a template piece of paper to mark indicate the placement of the linoleum. Another piece of paper, designated to take the print, is then matched up with the template and laid flat on the linoleum. Next it is run through the roller which presses the linoleum and paper together. Once it rolls completely to the other side, the top sheet of paper is carefully peeled from the linoleum...and VOILA! The print is complete, only left to dry and be examined to make changes for the next attempt. Here is my artist statement and some images of my print:

As graduation and the “real world” approached faster and faster, I jumped at the opportunity to continue my studies for an additional semester and complete my remaining credits in Italy. Previous art history courses provided me with a glimpse of the inspiration to come, yet nothing could fully prepare me for the opportunities I’ve had thus far. I immediately began experiencing the rich culture through art, history, architecture, music, theatre, dance, and fashion among other wonderful elements the culture has to offer. The amount of inspiration has completely exceeded my expectations and continues to satisfy my artistic impulse. Since this trip began, I have both consciously and subconsciously become more aware of my surroundings, observing shadows and highlights, designs and patterns, curvatures and rigidities. I have been particularly fond of and drawn to the Etruscan culture. Depictions such as owls, vines, leaves, fish, waves, organic shapes, and other ornate designs make nature’s influence on the culture apparent. Such pieces of art intrigue me by being both mentally stimulating and visually appealing.

I will soon be making some very important decisions about my future that will be essential to my continued happiness, and I find this pivotal point extremely daunting. In the previous section of this trip, using Etruscan art as my inspiration, I created a drawing that symbolized this moment in my life. However, the drawing was much less successful than I had envisioned, and compelled me to make a second attempt; this time being more intentional, dedicating more time, and being less concerned with the viewer’s perception of the end result. I’ve learned that the printmaking process is extremely demanding as it requires much precision, diligence, and carefulness. But, the muscle cramps, neck aches, and blistered fingers have made the end result that much more rewarding. I am much more pleased with my second attempt and feel that the imagery effectively displays my source of inspiration and symbolic intentions.

My linoleum plate

My multi-colored prints

Individual print

Do Sardines Come from Sardinia?

Traveling in Europe, we have come to find out, is not near the ease that some people make it out to be. But nevertheless, we found our way by van, plane, bus, train, taxi, and foot, to our beautiful rentals on the Sardinian beach. I could ramble on and on about what I did this week, but realizing that it can be summed up quite easily, I will state my activities, or lack there of, in one run-on sentence. Mainly, my break week consisted of laying in the sand, walking on the sand, digging in the sand, swimming in the ocean, sleeping, eating, a very belated halloween party, a few alcoholic concoctions, family movie nights, eyebrow plucking, hair braiding, experimental cooking, quickly consuming entire containers of condiments that should not be quickly consumed (Nutella and Ketchup), taking pictures, and lots of relaxation.

When Break Week Becomes Beach Week...

After the drawing portion of our trip came to an end, it was time to pack up and travel outside the villa for the following week. The Pope was coming to Perugia and the Vasta family had guests that were already lined up to stay at the villa. Although we had known about the break week from the start of our trip, it wasn’t until the week before that most of us finalized our travel plans. Thanks to Ben Sherman, we were able to reserve two rooms that were within steps of the ocean. On Friday around noon Roberto took a group of ten of us to the Perugia airport where we flew with Ryanair to the beautiful island of Sardinia (Sardegna in the local tongue). For several of us, this was our first experience with the airline. The flights are extremely cheap, but this being said, is an indication that they make their money some other way. Checking a bag is extremely costly forcing most passengers to bring only a single carry-on. In order to make sure the carry-on luggage is small enough, the airline has designed a metal “if it fits” bin that determines whether or not get on the plane without checking your bag. While we were standing in line, a woman tried a number of times to get her suitcase into the bin. People were shouting for her to try different angles, turning the suitcase on its side, and finally she succeeded. But, her suitcase fit so snug, that she then had to spend several more minutes trying to get it out of the bin, and without any help or even the slightest bit of recognition from the Ryanair staff. (She was photographed many times and received quite the round of applause once her suitcase was removed.) Seeing this caused a few of us (mainly Ellen) to reconsider our packing methods. Thankfully, backpacks were not examined as closely, even though a number were just as large as some roll-a-way suitcases. Following quite some time of being herded like cattle, we made it onto the plane. The flight attendants paced back and forth down the isles for the duration of our flight promoting items to purchase from their catalog. In contrast to the typical beverages and snacks we are used to on most airlines, Ryanair flight attendants instead race up and down the isles in an attempt to sell things like jewelry, and bottles of liquor among other things. I was pretty groggy so I dosed in and out during the flight, only waking up to an extremely abrupt landing paired with a celebration tune letting us know we had safely and promplty arrived in Cagliari, Sardegna. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcR9EQ_jfhw&feature=related


Trust me, if you ever fly Ryanair, use this website to prepare: http://thesavvybackpacker.com/675/ryanair-survival-guide-tips-for-flying-ryanair/

Belly Fusion

Before venturing to Italy, I had made a list of things I wanted to do. Little did I know that two would be fulfilled with little expense and much more convenience than I had expected. For the first time ever, the villa hosted the annual belly dancing festival. “Belly Fusion” attracts belly dancers and spectators from all over the world to gather for a celebration of this traditional form of dance. The festival included a fashion show, performances by several group and solo dancers, a fortune teller, and belly dancing apparel. Regardless of whether you are familiar with belly dancing or not, this event was quite an experience and one that I quite enjoyed. Especially since we had only been working in 2-d art, it was nice to see other forms of art outside painting and drawing. The music was loud and the costumes exceptionally striking and detailed. One of my favorite performances of the night was an interpretive dancer who captivated the audience by personifying a cat, and in another performance, the ocean’s turbulence. She was an amazing dancer with very unique and interesting performances. Another attention-grabbing dancer, Roxy Rose put on quite the burlesque performance. To our surprise, she stayed true to the sensual nature of burlesque and then some, removing all of her clothes down to a thong and matching nipple covers. Her exact age was difficult to determine yet we could tell that she was older than most of the other performers, but nevertheless was beaming with confidence I can only hope to have at her age. Talk about a cultural experience!

Passion and Inspiration

Later on in the trip we made it to Assisi for the second time; this time to see first-hand Rossella’s art performance called the “Table of Silence.” This show includes several dancers, musicians, and Rossella’s hand made ceramic plates all combined in a performance that intends to promote peace, offering and tribute. The dancers wore entirely white costumes, moved in varied formations, and though they were engaging in the same movements, they were able to complete them in different orders. Toward the end, the ceramic plates made by Rossella, were removed out of the back pockets of the dancers and held up as a gesture of offering. This was an incredible event to witness, and also an opportunity for us to catch a glimpse of the passion Rossella has for art, more so, the attempt to influence or trigger thought to take place when meaning has been assigned to images. The villa, owned by Rossella’s parents Michele and Bebe, is filled with artwork that she created throughout her lifetime. These pieces were a visible display of her progression and development as an artist. Her work had an extreme transformation in terms of content, materials, and especially her process and methodology.

Directionally Challenged

Now that art history was finished, we switched our full attention to our three drawing assignments: creating a personal mythology, a landscape, and a free piece. I began drawing a piece that I had originally gained inspiration for when I went to New York City two years ago. Walking anywhere in that city was a challenge. I remember it being similar to playing a game of “chicken.” You see a person standing directly in front of you and you have a few short seconds to determine who is going to divert around the other. Upon the first few days I did not stand a chance and was darting and dodging people left and right. By the end however, I had a bit of a new confidence and more of an understanding for how the traffic works. It’s honestly quite fascinating how so many hurried people can maneuver an extremely crammed area and still end up getting where they need to go in a somewhat timely manner. You quickly get over the idea of having your own personal space and instead learn to cooperate with those around you. If this task isn’t difficult enough as it is, try it on a rainy day when all five thousand people on the same street as you have an umbrella the size of a restaurant awning. Now people are not only concerned about bumping into one another, but now they have to avoid getting it caught on scaffolding, traffic signs, other peoples hair, head, eyes or any other body parts for that matter, and getting stuck half in and half out on the subway. This process seemed all too symbolic of the point I was at in my life. Not quite sure of myself, trying to steer clear of danger and set backs, and just hoping to reach the other side of the street safely not knowing what to expect once I got there. But even so, I didn’t feel alone, because I had my best friend standing right next to me the whole time, feeling exactly the same feelings, and with the same goal in mind. In Italy, this was again the case. I began drawing two females walking side by side, arms linked, and each with an umbrella in hand. The figures were easy to develop since I know them both so well. Once I finished charcoaling the females, I knew that they could not remain floating in white space; however, I wasn’t very concerned with the imagery in the background and drew in an Italian street setting with poor linear perspective and much lighter details. Looking back, the scenery didn’t matter to me, the location could be interchanged, and new elements could be included. I have realized that what matters most in this piece is that the two females display a bond, a connection, a shared desire and ambition to achieve a common goal, a dependency and at the same time enough independence and confidence not only in each other but in one that develops within themselves when they are together. It wasn’t until we hung our artwork up for the second time that I was able to come up with a fitting title for this particular piece. I usually hate choosing titles for my artwork and end up assigning a random and pointless name to my piece at the last second. But for one of the first times, I find that the title adds another dimension, an element that is missing without that slight bit of information. My title is “Directionally Challenged.” This sums up several aspects of my life especially at this point in time. I often have a difficult time navigating my way through a new city, portraying depth or linear perspective in my art, and choosing a future path. Directionally challenged is an understatement.

Toothless

We were able to settle into our rooms, unpack our suitcases, and familiarize ourselves with the property. But, after two weeks of non-stop activity, it was no surprise that our third week would be just as busy. This was our last week of art history and first week of drawing and Italian language. We viewed two more Etruscan museums and began making our three drawing assignments.

To celebrate, recap and test our knowledge on the art history we had seen, the students split into teams and participated in a competitive jeopardy-style game. It was nice to refresh and reorganize all that we had seen within just three short weeks. The game ended up being much more relaxed than we were anticipating and cookies and peanut butter were given as prizes to the top three teams. That night Johan’s parents were visiting, and they brought Swedish beer and alcoholic breezers for us to try. While we sampled the foreign beverages, we decided to plain the hilarious “vegetable” game. All players stand in a circle and each player must choose a fruit or vegetable to represent. When your fruit or vegetable name is called you must say your name and then call on someone else in the group using their chosen name. The trick, and what makes this game so entertaining is that while the game is in play, everyone must cover their teeth with their lips. Teeth are not to show throughout the duration of the game. The facial expressions, altered speech, and lack of visible teeth had us rolling on the ground with laughter. That night was a great closing for the art history portion of the trip.

Villa Pieve

After experiencing the lively and extremely noisy culture of Florence we traveled by train to Perugia. Upon our arrival we were greeted by Rossella Vasta, a bubbly and exuberant Italian woman gleaming generosity and hospitality. Rossella loaded Ellen and I and our luggage into her tiny car and we soon learned that her driving was just as full of energy and speed as she was. As we got further away from the Perugia train station we began to notice more and more untouched land that was filled with nature, much different than we had previously seen in Rome and Florence. The winding road took us over hills and around sharp corners, eventually ending up on a rocky driveway.

The driveway led our vehicle into an even denser part of the countryside and to the very top of one of the many rolling hills. We parked the car and were immediately greeted by other members of the Vasta family and staff, offering us vino, hugs, and great big smiles. As we walked around we were overly impressed and in denial that we had arrived at our destination for the next six weeks of our Italian stay. The Vasta house, more similar to a castle, was beautifully designed with a balcony, a dining patio, and large decorative doors. In spite of its vast size, the building and the nature surrounding it seemed to compliment one another so well that it seemed as if they had grown out of the earth simultaneously, sharing the same source of water and sunlight. To the right of the house is a long pathway marking the division between two of the other property buildings. Our rooms we soon discovered were on the right, and classrooms and conference area to the left. Just in case you were having trouble distinguishing whether the Vasta building was really just an extremely large home, past these two buildings, but visible from our initial arrival point, stood an actual castle built near the year 1000.

Once everyone had arrived we were given our room keys and began unloading our bags. That evening we gathered on the outdoor patio and were served a three-course dinner. I assumed that our meals would be somewhat like the cafeteria in our college at home, but instead we were treated like customers at a nice restaurant. The fine dining included an appetizer, main course, and dessert, accompanied by bread, water, and wine. We were quite surprised when we discovered that this dinner was not for special occasions, but instead, the way all of our lunches and dinners would be served for the remainder of our stay. Throughout our stay we have grown extremely fond of the Vasta staff which includes Iban, Rosa, and Paola. They are such gracious people, so giving and helpful. They have definitely enriched our stay here and made us feel at home.

Authenticity

One evening, a group of us decided to splurge on a wonderful and authentic Italian dinner in Rome. The dinner was 20 euros a plate and included several courses, wine, water, and dessert. First we were served plate of salami and ham, olives, some type of breaded rice ball, fennel, mozzarella, bread, wine and both sparkling and mineral bottled water (which we were tremendously excited about since we rarely purchased water.) Then we had a pasta that had a creamy white sauce on one half and a light creamy marinara on the other. Next we had seasoned pork and some other type of meat (maybe beef?), green beans, and homemade potato chips. For the dolce course we were given a slice of pie similar to lemon meringue paired with a shot glass of diluted lemon juice. It was absolutely delicious and the small staff was extremely efficient. The woman in the photo was so lovable and gave out a few rounds of hugs and kisses to our group. The combination of a delicious dinner and such gracious hospitality made for an amazing evening, or as they say in Italy "Notte meravigliosa!"

9/27 Vatican, Florence, Opera

The Vatican is a world-renowned attraction for a reason. In spite of being herded like farm animals, through hallways crammed full of people with an assortment of body odors, pushed, shoved, stepped on, and “shhhh’d,” the Vatican is a one-of-a-kind location. If I gave the impression, which I think I did, that the museums I previously spoke of were filled with art, then I must emphasize that the Vatican surpasses them all. With great works by Michelangelo, Raphael, Salvador Dali, and mediums ranging from sculpture, painting, wood carving, tapestries, jewelry, and metal-work, it would be impossible to choose a favorite piece. To my surprise, we were able to get extremely close to the works of art and even more, we were able to take photographs. The Sistine Chapel was very different than I had imagined. Though Michaelangelo’s paintings were faded from aging, lighting, and candle smoke, it was undeniably well executed and a true display of his talent. With the help of Jim Baken, one of our art teachers, we were able to identify two major regions of tension. The first and most well-known was the one inch space between the fingers of Adam and God. The second was between Adam’s foot and the next painted quadrant. Another interesting thing I learned was that Michelangelo began using smaller human figures, which in turn forced him to have to paint more figures to fill the space. As the paintings advance toward the other end of the chapel, the sizes of the figures progressively get larger, which I view as a win-win situation. Michelangelo doesn’t have to paint as many figures, and the viewers can see the images more clearly from the floor. The elaborate decorations did not stop at the chapel, but instead carried on into St. Peter’s Basilica, also in the Vatican square. By the time we reached the basilica, our eyes and minds were just about on overload. It was beautiful with painted narrations, high ceilings, gold embellishments, and an elaborate four-pillared baldacchio (a gazebo looking altar) in the center of the nave. Needless to say, the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica were wonderful examples of “horror vaccui.” (fear of blank spaces)

By taxi, train, and foot, we made our way to Florence. The city is rich in music, art, fashion, and, of course, gelato. From what I have seen thus far, Florence seems to be somewhat less crowded. There are more open spaces that are blocked from traffic. These squares are filled with entertainment, castles, shopping, street vendors, restaurants, and even a beautifully lit carousel. Though you may not have to worry about getting run over by the cars, horse drawn carriages trod their way through the crowds with only a bicycle-style honk and a two second warning. The music never seems to stop, which causes sudden outbursts of foot tapping, dancing, and singing. Our hotel location is centrally located, making sightseeing much more manageable and the entertainment literally only footsteps away. However, the only downside to being located in the midst of the nightlife, is the non-stop crashing of dishes, swells of laughter, opera singing, violin playing, and siren ringing, making earplugs a wise investment. It is indisputable that fashion is a significant staple and quite important to both the locals and tourists. With the clothing prices high, and the American dollar low, window shopping has never looked so good.

The other night I went along with the Moak’s and another student to experience a more local show. Maroon dress, black piano, 1400’s church, intimate setting, seats full, and projection like I have never heard. The opera was AMAZING! With only a pianist and a soprano, the duo put on a tremendous performance. The church was located across the Arno River allowing us to see a different part of the city. Luckily for us, the sun was going down making for a beautiful sunset on the bridge. Lined with shops filled with elegant gold jewelry that illuminates the streets, the bridge is a common attraction and great setting for live music. On the way back to our hotel, we ran into some more entertainment. While lying flat on their backs in the middle of the street, two very talented guitarists were finishing up their gig. Great ending to a great day.

A Glimpse of Etruria 9/24

We were able to catch a glimpse of the Roman forum from the Capitolini Museum, but today we were able to walk through, under, and around the ruins. The arches were covered with elaborate designs and in surprisingly great condition. First off, it’s amazing to see such delicate detail and fine craftsmanship. For instance, the marble at the tops of the pillars branched out into a layered leaf-like design. Although still very difficult, molding these delicate organic shapes out of clay would seem to be a bit easier than I chiseling them by hand.

I would love to watch this process and see how they would go about correcting mistakes, assuming they are inevitable. Secondly, it’s crazy to see something that has survived so many battles, harsh weather conditions, and even time alone. Also, within the ruins was Caesar’s cremation site, which is still coated in flowers.

After the forum we regrouped at the Colosseum. This was by far one of the most incredible places I have ever been. Immediately upon my entry into the building, I felt a surge of energy. Being inside, I felt as if I were a part of something much, much larger. To know that I was standing in a place that at one time was filled with millions and millions of people watching men battle each other and animals to the death. As awful and gory as it is portrayed, I think it would have been quite the spectacle. It’s like “game day” on steroids! The Colosseum was in spectacular condition, which made it that much easier to imagine what the events might have been like. Being inside made me want to yell at the top of my lungs just to hear how it would project. The Colosseum was incredible and ranks very high on my list of best experiences. Overall, it was adrenaline surging and bucket-list fulfilling.

Roma, here we come!

Preparations for my trip overseas, like always, took three times longer than I had imagined. Not only was I packing for ten weeks in a foreign country, but simultaneously moving my belongings out of my best friends’ parent’s house and into a 5x5 storage unit. I finally sealed the latch on my storage unit around 11:30 pm with my dad warning me about the jumbled mess that is likely to spring out from the unit upon re-opening. After saying a few goodbyes, I took a car full of my belongings to the hotel where my parents were staying. My mom loves packing and organizing, which is most likely why I do not, and also why I allowed her the wonderful opportunity of packing my suitcase at two in the morning. The realization of the trip had not yet sunk in, and without a minute to spare I made my way to the airport and was on my way. Pulling an all-nighter allowed me to fall asleep quick, easy, and for the entirety of the flights to Denver and Charlotte. The passengers nearby were either entertained, disgusted, or both by my wide open mouth drooling and making sounds only a wind tunnel could reproduce. During my long layover in Charlotte, I decided to make my way over to my terminal and possible grab a beer. Luckily, when I rounded the corner, I saw that the other passengers were already beginning to board my flight. I made it onto the plane and after arguing with the women claiming to have my seat, I sheepishly got up and moved to my correct and assigned spot. I fell asleep shortly after take off for what seemed like several hours. When I woke up, the family that I was seated within spoke of the current time…NO WAY!? There was not a possible way in my mind that only one mere hour had passed since we boarded the plane. The remainder of that trip is hazy now, but I recall fading in and out while listening to a combination of wining babies, old men snorting, and the crinkling of a plastic water bottle. I wanted to strangle the eight-year-old with the snapping, crackling, and popping bottle of water sitting directly next to and often on top of me. Getting off the plane, I was anxious that I may not find my best friend Ellen. If I did not find her, I may be getting right back on the plane to America, or at least that’s how I felt at the time. Luckily, and like usual, our brains were on the same page and we met at the baggage claim. Converting money for the first time was completely eye-opening and horribly depressing. One euro is equivalent to roughly $1.44 American. With a roll-away suitcase, a backpack, and a purse (a slightly smaller suitcase that I pretend is a purse), we made it to our correct bus. After three long, sweaty, sweaty hours, wearing black pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sandals, we finally decided to resort to a taxi. Do you know how difficult it is to flag down a taxi? Not as easy as they make it look on Sex and the City. . In fact, it’s about as difficult as hauling 60 pounds of luggage over cobblestone streets. Wheels are great when they have a surface to “wheel” on. Nevertheless, we got a cab whose driver told us we were within walking distance. He took us to the hotel and as we began carrying our baggage up three flights of stairs, we realized we were at the “boys” hotel. Ahhhhhhhhh! Walking through the streets, the smell of urine was apparent and the traffic insane. Not much room to walk between the traffic, people, restaurants and vendors. As we maneuvered our through, I became more and more comfortable with using “Scusi,” but kept ruining my Italian accent by following up with a blurted out “gracias.” Our hotel was only a short walk, and upon arrival we collapsed, exposing sweat-covered shirts and filthy black feet. The hotel, Residenzia Zanardelli was, to our surprise, quite nice. Aside from being a tad bit smaller than most hotels in America, it was clean and equipped with a full bathroom. The Moak’s, along with a few other students had not yet arrived by dinner time, causing us to disperse and get dinner on our own. Ellen and I decided to share our first dinner at the pizzeria just down from our hotel. For 7 euros we enjoyed a Margherita pizza in the shape of a heart. It was delicious! I expected the tomato sauce to be thick, yet it is surprisingly thin and light. Everyone finally arrived toward the end of our dinner, and after a short meeting, we fell into bed. The only bad news in the meeting was that breakfast was at 7:30 am. In the morning, we awoke to table-clothed tables in the hallway with place settings, orange juice, coffee, hot milk, tea, pastries, and large rolls that looked somewhat like bread bowls. Nothing like a carb-filled breakfast to jump-start your day…

By nine we had begun our first adventure-filled day. The city was full of amazing architecture, lots of bikes, mini-cars, restaurants, shops, cobblestone roads, gelato, and eerie ambulance sirens. Our first stop was the Musei Capitolini. The walk to and view from the museum was very beautiful, plus we were among the first to arrive. This museum, much like the ones to follow was filled with enormous statues, sculptures, and ancient Roman ruins. It was our first taste of the culture that many of us had studied and seen only in text books and with pictures smaller than our laptops.

It was both fascinating and unbelievable! Rome being such a large city makes it hard to believe that the ruins are actually legitimate rather than something you might see on the Vegas strip. We tossed a few coins in the famous Trevi Fountain. There were tons of people viewing the fountain and waiting their turn to toss a coin. We learned that there is over 3,000 euro coins thrown in to the fountain per day. This money is then donated to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy.

Over and over I kept wishing that, even if only for a brief moment, I could go back in time and see Roma in its prime. There was so much to see at the museum including the famous and giant sculpture of Constantine. I remember looking at the picture of his gigantic head on the cover of one of my art history text books, which made me enjoy being able to almost touch it even more! There were very few places in the museum that were unworthy of a photo; even the ceilings were highly intricate and carefully painted with chandeliers throughout. It was only day one, and I was already delightfully overwhelmed by the amount of art. Yes, I believe that sums it up: Delightfully overwhelmed.