Giacomo Balla in Bologna

Today I had the pleasure to visit a rather peculiar exhibition. At the Galleria Cinquantasei in Bologna, Italy, a collection of many collages by Giacomo Balla is on show. Not only a beautiful and unusual exhibition, it is even free! The pieces show the exceptional sense the artist had for the plastic use of line, shape and colour. Of course he was part of the Futurism movement but differently from others, he maintains a lightness in his work, also in the more geometrical pieces, that points more in the direction of abstract art rather than the heavier cubism. The thing that more than any other has caught my attention is his masterly style in using colour, not only the combination of different colours but the ability of expression by the use of single colour hues. Also, which is very near to abstract, the importance and subtlety of the line, whether you can see it or not in the general colour plot, great technique that does not celebrate itself leaving all the space to emotion!
An absolute pleasure for the senses.

Art Exhibition

I would like to signal an interesting art exhibition at the MAR centre in Ravenna, if you're around the area take the time to visit it, these are the last few days.
The exhibition is titled Borderline and presents the work of many different Art Brut artists and other pieces by well known artists revolving around that period and concept. As happens very often with the exhibitions presented by MAR it is an original journey into an aspect of visual art that proves very interesting and deeply expressive, with some surprises and much to learn, especially for those, like me approaching art not as a professional expert but just as a lover in search of emotions.

The Smile Therapy

Back in 2006 I was going through one of my numerous difficult periods. One evening as I was walking and thinking about my miseries, a thought was thrown in my head ... why not try and smile in the face of trouble. Why not, if you haven't got any better idea you might as well try that. So I did. It worked for a little while then I went back to my usual mood, perseverance was never my strongest quality so to say. Still, that little seed was not washed away in the ocean of distress. Last year, right in the middle of another low peak I came across a little booklet on visualization, it was rather mind opening, not so much for all that was written, it was basically one single concept rewritten in all possible manners with not much space for practical advice and the concept was not so totally new to me, but the fact that it came into my hands at that peculiar time and the fact of reading and re-reading that idea over and over sort of fired my enthusiasm in trying again to exercise the power of my mind. This time I did it with a little more conviction and I was supported by different people that helped me refine the idea of what the mind can lead you to and gave me an insight into the forces and energy sources that surround us. As I said, they are not new concepts for me, I have always been interested in oriental disciplines and martial arts, but sometimes it's as if things need to be ripe before you can fully capture their significance and see beyond the words you are reading or listening. This last year has been a continuous learning process, a fight against my melancholy inclined personality to try and empower myself to reach the objectives I have set for my life. After years of hearing that Jesus said to turn the other cheek, only now do I fully grasp that concept, which is not being passive and too "good" to retaliate, it's the same as my smile therapy. If you respond to evil, bad luck, difficulties with distress, fear, bad mood, etc. you do nothing other than feed those negativities, if, instead, you answer with calmness, steadyness, warmth and smile, you starve them and eventually you will win them and clear your path from them. Naturally understanding the concept and being able to apply it is not the same thing. It takes time, perseverance, trust, hope, strength, there will be times when you'll fall back down, it doesn't matter, you haven't failed, slowly but surely, pick yourself up, use your fingers to lift the corners of your lips if necessary, do it, continue to do it. I am sure it will pay out. I have embarked in this venture, I get frustrated as nothing seems to be changing but I carry on, so many times I have picked myself up already but I carry on. I have also written myself a list of positive statements regarding my person and my life that I repeat with intention each night and whenever possible. I have always strongly believed in the power of the mind and also in fluxes of energy. I invite anybody reading and sharing my own situation to try this path, if I can anybody can, I'm sure.
Thank you to all the people I met along the way that have helped me understand so many things!