Starkly beautiful, haunting images

Images by Charles Johnstone using cibachrome process. The film is no longer produced; the chemicals are very toxic,
But the images produced are notable for their clarity and sharpness.
Johnstone has chosen subjects that compliment the techical qualities of the film.

See more here.
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2018/sep/11/empty-city-new-york-without-new-yorkers-in-pictures-charles-johnstone

Museum of Bologna

The Museum of Bologna was a truly interesting place to visit. A really well curated and organised museum telling the story of the city.
A great audio guide too. The city is often shown as a model in paintings.

Parma part 2

The romanesques cathedral of Parma where there are wonderful frescoes by Antonio Allegri, known as Correggio.

Morandi Museum in Bologna

A visit to the Morandi Museum to see some of his famous and lesser known works. I liked the directness of these paintings.

MAST gallery at Bologna

An interesting gallery in Bologna called MAST (www.mast.org). The venue is dedicated to science and technology. The current exhibition called Pendulum was about moving goods and people, and the images were from the collection of MAST. The work on display was by around 100 photographers. It was a wonderful surprise. Works here by Robert Doiseau,  Gabriele Basilico and Hendrik Spohler. If you are in Bologna, check out the program for this gallery.

Parma part1

A visit to Parma north west of Bologna. it is famous for its Baptistery, built between 1196 and 1216, and according to the authorities, one of the most important monuments of the transition from Romanesque to early Gothic architecture. The frescoes date from the 13th century. 

Bologna

A visit to the university library in Bologna, the oldest university in the western world. Many crests of families dating back to its foundation. 

The famous dissection lecture  room below. 

Baptistery of Neon

The Baptistery of Neon is the most ancient monument remaining in the Ravenna. It was partly erected on the site of a Roman bath and dates from the 5th century. Again, wonderful mosaics depicting the baptism of Christ. 

Ravenna mosaics 2

A visit to the Basilica of Sant'Apollinaire in Classe.  Mosaics from the 500s depicting Saint Apolloniare aa well as the   Byzantine king and queen of the era, Justinian and Theodora. Breathtakingly beautiful.

Ravenna mosaics 1

Today a trip to a workshop called TAMO in Ravenna where mosaics are restored and the craft is taught.
I was particularly interested in the reproductions of the  mosaics from the church of S. Giovanni Evangelista. They depict scenes related to the Fourth Crusade1202-1204. I love the simplicity and urgency of the images.

A trip to the country in Calabria

To see  a chocolate factory!