Immersed in Italy: Like the Clouds of a Renaissance Chapel Ceiling, by Renisa Maki

 

Interested in finding out what it's like to spend two months in Italy as an intern for the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice? We'll be keeping up to date with Renisa Maki as she throws herself into la bella vita in Italia over the 2012-2013 Dec-Jan period. Follow the 'Immersed in Italy' blog to keep up with her exploits, while learning more about the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Venice and the intern experience!

 

Immersed in Italy

 A blog by Renisa Maki

 

- Renisa Maki is one of the 2012 recipients of the Wright Family Scholarship for an internship at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice, Italy. She has completed her Bachelor of Arts degree with a Double major in Art History and Political Studies from the University of Auckland, New Zealand, where she plans to continue her postgraduate studies in 2013. She is also a valuable member of the Art History Society.

 Like the clouds of a Renaissance chapel ceiling

 

Travel blogs. I used to peruse these with envy; avidly scrolling through link after link of exotic locations, enticing cuisine, exciting experiences. Now for the next two months whilst being ‘immersed in Italy’ I get to write one too, for the Art History Society at the University of Auckland.

 

With my trustee Nikon D3100 camera cradled around my neck like one would embrace a child, I set off on my 26 hours and 20 minutes journey on-board aeroplanes, drifting through endless blue and white like the clouds of a Renaissance chapel ceiling. On-board the final leg of the journey from Dubai to Venice, the aeroplane passengers were predominantly Italian. This was my first glimpse into their culture. In a quintessentially Italian manner a group of elderly women travelling together didn’t stay seated during the flight but rather stood around in the aisle sipping coffee, laughing, and yes, gesturing animatedly with their hands whilst conversing in loud, rapid Italian. Most fascinatingly, when the captain announced we stay seated due to turbulence, their hand gesturing elevated, the dialogue doubled in speed; the American seated next to me chuckled and said “Keep calm and carry on.”

 

With a background in graphic design and photography, I aim to make this blog a hybrid between photography and creative writing; with the occasional shameless plug about the Art History Society (as a member of the executive committee it is my half-responsibility-half-passion to do so). I’ll aim to be candid and anecdotal about my time here, with an emphasis on art and architecture. Rather than me providing a long and formal explanation of what an internship at the Peggy Guggenheim entails, simply click the link below to their website J

 

http://www.guggenheim-venice.it/inglese/education/internship-program.html