So pretty, so painful. Why is it, that nature’s way of warning you of danger, poison, etc., is often also beautiful? Sometimes colorful, or in the case of these jellyfish at the aquarium in Genova, just elegant and beautiful. An interesting paradox.
Archives for February 2010
Light and Dark
Many of my photos include lines, and this image of bicycles is just a different type of lines. Alternating light and dark, the rows of bicycles with the light coming through set them off perfectly. One of my favorites from Amsterdam.
Street Signs
One of my favorite images of this “street” corner in Varenna, on Lake Como. It’s not really a street corner, more like a corner of two pedestrian walkways. One along the harbor and the other a stairway up the hill from the lakefront through the town. Such a pretty corner, with the potted tree growing there with loving care.
Almost all of the street signs here in northern Italy are like this (haven’t been too far south yet, so can’t comment beyond Florence!): Engraved marble, on the corner of a building, facing the street they are naming. Beautiful for a place like this, but nearly impossible to utilize when you are trying to navigate in your car in the middle of a city! It’s best to enjoy these signs as part of the charm and beauty of Italy, and bring a GPS if you come visit. You will be much happier for it!
Locks of Love
No, I’m not talking about hair! One final “love themed” post for this Valentine’s Day week. You find these locks on bridges, ocean overlooks, anywhere near water. The couples right their names on the lock, lock it to something permanent (railing, lamp post, whatever) and throw the key into the water. It must be quite the European love tradition because we’ve seen them everywhere, once we started noticing them. I had never heard of this or seen this in the US. These are from Florence, on the Ponte Vecchio. 
Love at the Sea
This heart art was found at an overlook of the Mediterranean sea, it Boccadassee (a little fishing village that is part of Genova). These little overlooks or benches in public parks are often places that young lovers will meet for a bit of privacy. It’s not really private exactly, but when so many people live in such close contact it’s all relative I guess. You will often find “love” graffiti in little spots like this.
Graffiti or Urban Art?
Occasionally we run across something on a building that is more art than graffiti. I wonder, was it intended to be there? Or did it just come out so cool that it became art and was left alone? This urban “heart” art is in Amsterdam. I love to convert these images to black and white except for the graffiti, it really makes it pop!
