geniusloci catalog
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More than 400 years ago, Galileo Galilei forever changed the
world by deepening our understanding of it. In addition to his
invaluable scientifi c discoveries, his creative method of exploration,
revolutionary ideas, and intellectually rebellious character
caused a shift in critical thinking that still ripples today.
Galileo’s presence in Florence left an indelible mark of brilliance
on the city. Because of this, he is inextricably linked to its genius
loci, the collective creative spirit that is unique to Florence.
For this exhibition, students of street photography, interior
design, videomaking, and illustration and cartooning explored
the relationship between cultural context and creativity, revealing
their individualistic interpretations of Florence’s genius loci.
Genius loci is not a fi xed refl ection of the past, but is instead an
ever-changing quality that is enhanced by those who engage
with it. By visually representing genius loci, these students have
helped shape and preserve the creative heart of Florence.
Lillie Strudthoff
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO CATALOG STUDENT EXHIBIT FALL 2014
DACIA CARTERWaterloo, Iowa, USA
University of Northern Iowa
This project is titled On The Way Encounters.
Its focus is on the minorities of Firenze, specifically,
the African culture. I could only use gestures to ask to take
their pictures and many declined, but those who agreed
were able to tell their story through their eyes and were able
to communicate with me through their expressions
which was much more than words itself.
Diva/ Ideas Street Photography
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO CATALOG STUDENT EXHIBIT FALL 2014
DACIA CARTERWaterloo, Iowa, USA
University of Northern Iowa
Diva/ Ideas Street Photography
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO CATALOG STUDENT EXHIBIT FALL 2014
DACIA CARTERWaterloo, Iowa, USA
University of Northern Iowa
NEAL JOHNSONWilton, Iowa, USA
University of Northern Iowa
My street photography project is titled Workers of Firenze
Anyone who was working hard, whether it be doing their
job or just being a human, was a viable subject.
The city is full of people who are trying to make enough money to survive,
so it was very neat to dive into those people’s days
and discover what they were doing.
Diva/ Ideas Street Photography
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO CATALOG STUDENT EXHIBIT FALL 2014
NEAL JOHNSONWilton, Iowa, USA
University of Northern Iowa
Diva/ Ideas Street Photography
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO CATALOG STUDENT EXHIBIT FALL 2014
NEAL JOHNSONWilton, Iowa, USA
University of Northern Iowa
Diva/ Ideas Street Photography
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO CATALOG STUDENT EXHIBIT FALL 2014
CHELSEA KOZMAAustin, Texas, USA
Clemson University South Carolina
My artwork takes a satirical view of the Last Supper painting by inserting geniuses
taken from different historical periods all gathered around Jesus. In my work,
I deconstruct the idea that geniuses, although not accepted by society during
their times, speak the truth. In the case of many of these geniuses, religious
figures did not agree with their life’s work, having engaged subjects as diverse
as the civil rights movement, appreciation of the human figure, and classical
architecture. However, all of these concepts are now widely accepted and
have evolved to even become acceptable in society and the church. My work
reproduces familiar visual signs, arranging them into new conceptually layered
pieces in order to convey this idea of the Last Convention where great thinkers
can speak at will without judgment or threat to their ideas.
BRIANNA GREENWELLGeorgetown, Texas, USA
Baylor University
Art has been used for centuries to promote products, goals, and ideas. My work
focuses primarily on the iconic images we recognize today and how Galileo’s
theories can be promoted through the use of the same format and techniques.
Galileo became the face of a movement and the face of change. His work in
philosophy, mathematics, engineering, and astronomy paved the way for new
methods of thinking to be explored and for existing theories to be tested. The
use of propaganda was to highlight the political struggle of the time between
the two clashing philosophical ideas, heliocentricism and geocentricism.
The works were also created to simulate commercialized images so that
you would believe that his message was not just for the upper class but
for the common people. Galileo’s theory would never have been accepted
in his time because of the church’s support of geocentricism, but
his theories managed to survive and develop until today.
Diva/ Ideas I l lustrat ion And Cartooning Arts
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO CATALOG STUDENT EXHIBIT FALL 2014
BRIANNA GREENWELLGeorgetown, Texas, USA
Baylor University
We Can Discover
Digital Media
50 x 70 cm
Diva/ Ideas I l lustrat ion And Cartooning Arts
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO CATALOG STUDENT EXHIBIT FALL 2014
ELIZABETH RAGOLafayette, California, USA
Baylor University
These three pieces show Galileo hard at work in his lab
one evening. He gets to a point where he is willing
to try anything to get his results. A tryptic, these three
pieces are drawn in a Victorian style, but put
on an antique paper background and done in sanguine to be reminiscent of
Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo-type drawings. Genio Ubriaco is about
the creative process and the necessity for any artist to push themselves
to the far end of insanity in order to make a break through.
Three Drawings
Digital Media
50 x 70 cm
Diva Ideas I l lustrat ion And Cartooning Arts
AMANDA RICCIARDICamden, New Jersey, USA
Florence University of the Arts
Finding the genius loci of a place is a difficult task to communicate.
To see a “spirit” of Florence, such an old city FULL of art and character,
is incredibly endless. The first challenge when communicating this
concept is how do I narrow down my story, to just one topic, in a city
with infinite spirit? My first step to the solution was research... my
solution was to tell the story of human existence not being the center,
rather human existence merely being part of a greater universe.
Genius Loci
Video and audio
Diva/ Ideas Mult imedia Studio I
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO CATALOG STUDENT EXHIBIT FALL 2014
LAUREN FROMINHollywood, Florida, USA
Florence University of the Arts
Being new to video production, conceptualizing a theme was challenging
for me. As a newcoming to proper video techniques, it was difficult to
create a moodboard and storyboard. Figuring out where to shoot was
stressful too, since Florence is a hotbed of unique locations and history.
Once all the types of shots were taught to the class and upon
visiting several locations that embodied the Genius Loci
ideals, it was possibile to organize the production plan.
The Search for Genus Loci
Video and audio
Diva/ Ideas Mult imedia Studio I
RAMZI MALOUFBeirut, Lebanon
Florence University of the Arts
During the pre-production stage of the Genius Loci project,
I was very confused. I didn’t know what I was going to do,
but I knew it had something to do with nature, since I am always
inspired by God’s creations...the hard part was connecting Genius
Loci to Galileo in a single video, but at the end it was a challenging
concept, with a lot of options and things to do and places to visit..
..how beautiful a city can be, when it has a lot of green within it!
The city that inspired Galileo Galilei
Video and audio
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO CATALOG STUDENT EXHIBIT FALL 2014
GEOFFREY PONCELETBelgium
Florence University of the Arts
During the production of this video, I first needed to understand the
concept of Genius Loci. Fortunately, the exploration made me think
of a place I love, here in Florence: the banks of the Arno river.
As we were discovering more and more about this concept, I was afraid it
wouldn’t be fit, because nobody “lives” there nor could tell me its story.
Inspiration
Video and audio
Diva/ Ideas Mult imedia Studio I
BRIAN POTOPOWICZNew York City, NY, USA
Florence University of the Arts
Initial challenges for Genius Loci were represented by
capturing enough emotions and content for the story.
During pre-production I planned many of my shots and left some open.
If I had more time, I would reshoot some earlier timelapse...I think my
concept was well thought-out, but the execution can be tough.
In the end it was a great experience.
Genius Loci Galileo
Video and audio
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO CATALOG STUDENT EXHIBIT FALL 2014
VALENTINA GONZALEZBarranquilla, Colombia
Florence University of the Arts
Florence, Eternal Inspiration
Video and audio
Diva Ideas Mult imedia Studio I
Hotel CellaiThe Cellai Boutique Hotel in Florence, is in via XXVII Aprile, 14. Not far from Piazza San Marco
and Piazza dell’Indipendenza it is in the historical center of the city. The Hotel is located in the
heart of historic Florence, surrounded by monuments, churches and buildings of extraordinary
beauty. All the most interesting and evocative city sites are within a short walking distance,
passing through little streets full of charm and mystery. The 58 individually decorated
guestrooms at the Cellai Boutique Hotel feature original antiques, warm lighting and elegant
classic-contemporary touch, original artworks, refined prints, and tasteful Italian fabrics.
Genius Loci: Florence And GalileoGalileo Galilei was an astronomer, physicist, engineer, mathematician, and philosopher.
Despite his contemporaries’ reluctance to accept his ideas at the time, he is
now viewed as “the Father of Modern Science.” Galileo’s immense scientific and
cultural contributions have become a crucial part of Florence’s genius loci.
Genius loci is defined as “the prevailing character or atmosphere of a place.” It is an intangible
quality, the collective spirit of inspiration that is inextricably linked to a unique location.
Genius loci manifests itself in individualistic ways, but it can only be found through intellectual
exploration and the pursuit of knowledge. In these projects students explore this relationship
between cultural context and creativity. How can the traces of brilliance left behind by
historical figures shape the character of a city and the creative pursuits of its inhabitants?
How can one discover genius loci without merely seeing it as a fixed reflection of the past?
This is an opportunity to define a different concept of the genius loci of Florence.
Diva/ Ideas Intermediate Inter ior Design
Project of a Room for Cellai Boutique Hotel
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO CATALOG STUDENT EXHIBIT FALL 2014
REBECCA BOHLSMacedonia, Ohio, USA
Endicott College
DANIELLE BOUCHERBedford, New Hampshire, USA
Endicott College
KAITLIN DESBIENSMidland Park, New Jersey, USA
Endicott College
CHRISTINE DONOHOEWoburn, Massachusetts, USA
Endicott College
Diva/ Ideas Intermediate Inter ior Design
LAUREN ECKERSaratoga Springs, New York, USA
Endicott College
TAYLOR FARRELLColumbia, South Carolina, USA
Winthrop University
TEAGAN FORTUNEEssex Junction, Vermont, USA
Endicott College
CHELSEA GLYNNMacedonia, Ohio, USA
Endicott College
Project of a Room for Cellai Boutique Hotel
GENIUS LOCI FLORENCE AND GALILEO CATALOG STUDENT EXHIBIT FALL 2014
SABINA GRASSOCumberland Foreside, Maine, USA
Endicott College
STEPHANIE LOWEWest Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Endicott College
AMANDA MERSEREAUManchester, New Hampshire, USA
Endicott College
COURTNEY MUSSELLVineyard Haven, Massachusetts, USA
Endicott College
SARAH NARBURGHCicero, New York, USA
Endicott College
JOHANNA PICARIELLOMarblehead, Massachusetts, USA
Endicott College
LAURA VARJABEDIANMiddleborough, Massachusetts, USA
Endicott College
LAURA WUNSCHAlbany, New York, USA
Endicott College
Diva/ Ideas Intermediate Inter ior Design
Project of a Room for Cellai Boutique Hotel
Gabriella Ganugi
PALAZZI and FUA President
Thomas Brownlees
FUA Academic Offi ce and Conference Curator
David Weiss
DIVA Chair
Giulio Vinci
DIVA and IDEAS Academic Coordinator
Enrica Quaranta
DIVA staff
Francesca Gassani
IDEAS staff
Lillie Strudthoff
DIVA Intern
DIVA
Jacopo Santini
Street Photography
Ivka Markovic
Illustration and Cartooning Arts
Juri Ciani
Introduction to Creative Videomaking
Kirsten Hills
Multimedia Studio I
IDEAS
Giulio Vinci
Intermediate Interior Design
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE
FUA COMMUNICATIONS
& MARKETING OFFICE
November 2014
DIVA/IDEAS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS