This morning I and some friends decided to venture out to the flea market, but I was responsible for making sure everyone was up, aparently, they like the snooze button a little too much. So, I got up at 7a, made some coffee and cereal, 8a rolls around and I knocked on everyone's door, someone finally said to me, "no, it's not 8a, its 7a." I figured the person, whom shall remain nameless, had too much pivo last night, got in late, and was just making excuses to sleep longer. I opened up my laptop and Apple did automatically switch the time back an hour, so Europe does take part in the anamoly of daylight savings time. Any other year I would be grateful of the extra hour on a Sunday, yet there is nothing going on in Zagreb on Sundays. Nothing.
I did find what I was looking for at the flea market, a nice 40 cm vase that I am going to pull a plaster mold from. Better yet, I was able to haggle with the guy in Croatian, he was asking 80 kuna, I got him down to 50 kn. That's still about $10, but better than wasting time during the week to find the psuedo-ikea that is rumoured to be around somewhere. I figure if the piece I am planning with this vase costs me only 50kn, that might be on of the cheapest pieces I ever make. Inquiries for futher information about what I'm up to with this are more than welcome, just send me an email, or post a comment.
I discovered yesterday that Zagreb doesn't believe in coin-op laundry. One must take laundry to a laundrette and have someone else do the washing. So, I finally got that done yesterday, it is kinda nice to have someone so my laundry for me, but I still much perfer doing it myself. I know which piece should go into the dryer to be intentionally shrunk, and others that need to be hung. Oh well, it does save me some time on Saturday.
This week is the Academy's welcome party for first year and international students, which I've been told by my Croatian friends that it well worth the 30 kuna. No classes on Thursday, All Saints Day / Holy Day of Obligation. I think that will be a good day to get some research done and papers written.
Oh, and I heard 50 cent will be performing in Zagreb in the early part of December, I'm sure to be the cultural event of the year. No, actually Brecht's "Threepenny Opera" is going to be staged at the Croatian National Theatre, if I think I can understand it in Croatian (it's most likely not being produced in English), I might cough up the Kuna and go, I'll have to do some investigating. The Avant Garde Jazz Festival is this weekend, I'm hoping to catch a few shows.
Until something of interest happens,
--AM
28 October 2007
25 October 2007
25 Oct 07
Nothing much going, just some highlights from the past few days:
Today was the first day in the past five that it hasn't rained and been unseasonable chilly. The temperature was holding about 2-7 degrees, about 36-43 F, and it was still a touch too warm for it to be snowing. Nothing is worse than a cold, windy rain. The forecast is looking up for the weekend, rain for the most part, but back up to about 10 C, 55 F. I took advantage of this nice weather to do a site visit of the location I am planning an installation, I hope to have that one done by mid November at the very latest.
Last evening all of the international students from the Academy of Fine Arts, nine in total, went to see a blues / rock band at our haunt of choice, Pugerjai. We heard about the group from one of the sculpture students, a friend of her's is in the band. They were very good. At one point I had my back away from the stage, when I turned, I was shocked to find the band was off stage taking a break for the past 10 minutes. All the while, I was thinking they were still playing, but it was really a CD of theirs!
I finally got to the Zagreb Film Festival yesterday, I went with a few of my classmates at lunch time. We saw two short documentaries. One, "The Italian Doctor", followed a physiologist around as he worked in Afghanistan. He worked with people who needed prosthetics and has been there for over 10 years. The second, "Dead Man Walking" was from a Croatian filmmaker. He went to a small Bosnian town that was heavily damaged from the war. This man, Himzo, disappeared during the war and was never seen until 12 years later, he just showed up. Himzo doesn't speak of the time that he was away, and there is much speculation about whether he was captured by Serbs, or if he just fled and never tried to contact his family. So, initially when he arrived back home the whole town partied for days on end, as the months wore on and Himzo wouldn't give any answers, he was eventually shunned from his family and town. I'm going to see a feature length film tonight at 10.30, "The Living and the Dead," then another one tomorrow evening, "Jar City."
One night after working in the studio, Kyle (another IUP student) and I were walking back to the dorm, we passed some hedges and heard a rustling. We turned back to find a hedgehog peeking out from the hedges at us! Kyle was going to pick him up, but the little thing had its quils up. So instead, Kyle tries to give it a piece of granola, but of course it wasn't going to take it, so we left it. The past few evenings I've made a point to look for our prickly friend, but no such luck. we do have some cats hanging around the dorm. We always save a little food from the cafe to give to them, as soon as we can get close enough to one, we're going to have a dorm cat.
I was informed this week that I and the other IUP students will have a group show the last week that were are here. Professor Drinkovic continued to tell me we need to get the catalogue completed by mid November in order to get it printed in time for the opening. I'm thinking, "what!? catalogue?" This also means that if we choose to put in images (of course we are going to) that we should have a piece done soon so it can be photographed and in the catalogue. In light of this, I spent a good two hours going over all the pieces I am planning, made an overall "to do" list, a "to do" list for each of the pieces, and time tables in the same manner. Obsessive? Absolutely. Waste of time? Hopefully not.
Alright, I gotta make some coffee now, if I expect to make it through the film.
--AM
Today was the first day in the past five that it hasn't rained and been unseasonable chilly. The temperature was holding about 2-7 degrees, about 36-43 F, and it was still a touch too warm for it to be snowing. Nothing is worse than a cold, windy rain. The forecast is looking up for the weekend, rain for the most part, but back up to about 10 C, 55 F. I took advantage of this nice weather to do a site visit of the location I am planning an installation, I hope to have that one done by mid November at the very latest.
Last evening all of the international students from the Academy of Fine Arts, nine in total, went to see a blues / rock band at our haunt of choice, Pugerjai. We heard about the group from one of the sculpture students, a friend of her's is in the band. They were very good. At one point I had my back away from the stage, when I turned, I was shocked to find the band was off stage taking a break for the past 10 minutes. All the while, I was thinking they were still playing, but it was really a CD of theirs!
I finally got to the Zagreb Film Festival yesterday, I went with a few of my classmates at lunch time. We saw two short documentaries. One, "The Italian Doctor", followed a physiologist around as he worked in Afghanistan. He worked with people who needed prosthetics and has been there for over 10 years. The second, "Dead Man Walking" was from a Croatian filmmaker. He went to a small Bosnian town that was heavily damaged from the war. This man, Himzo, disappeared during the war and was never seen until 12 years later, he just showed up. Himzo doesn't speak of the time that he was away, and there is much speculation about whether he was captured by Serbs, or if he just fled and never tried to contact his family. So, initially when he arrived back home the whole town partied for days on end, as the months wore on and Himzo wouldn't give any answers, he was eventually shunned from his family and town. I'm going to see a feature length film tonight at 10.30, "The Living and the Dead," then another one tomorrow evening, "Jar City."
One night after working in the studio, Kyle (another IUP student) and I were walking back to the dorm, we passed some hedges and heard a rustling. We turned back to find a hedgehog peeking out from the hedges at us! Kyle was going to pick him up, but the little thing had its quils up. So instead, Kyle tries to give it a piece of granola, but of course it wasn't going to take it, so we left it. The past few evenings I've made a point to look for our prickly friend, but no such luck. we do have some cats hanging around the dorm. We always save a little food from the cafe to give to them, as soon as we can get close enough to one, we're going to have a dorm cat.
I was informed this week that I and the other IUP students will have a group show the last week that were are here. Professor Drinkovic continued to tell me we need to get the catalogue completed by mid November in order to get it printed in time for the opening. I'm thinking, "what!? catalogue?" This also means that if we choose to put in images (of course we are going to) that we should have a piece done soon so it can be photographed and in the catalogue. In light of this, I spent a good two hours going over all the pieces I am planning, made an overall "to do" list, a "to do" list for each of the pieces, and time tables in the same manner. Obsessive? Absolutely. Waste of time? Hopefully not.
Alright, I gotta make some coffee now, if I expect to make it through the film.
--AM
21 October 2007
21 Oct 07
Nothing too exciting went on over the weekend, which is fine by me considering it took me not even a full week of being in classes to come down with a cold. So, I've been nursing that all weekend, but the cold seems to be in stasis, the exception being the exchange of a sore throat for losing my voice. I did manage to get into the studio Saturday morning (big surprise, right!?) the Academy is only open from 8 or 9a to 1p. I finished a small plaster carving and laid out plans for all the work I plan to get done in two months. It's a pretty daunting and ambitious list:
2 documentation /cataloging pieces to last the duration of my stay
1 plaster / soap stone carving a week (12 in total)
1 (maybe 2) sound-based piece
1 video and projection piece
1 site-specific installation
1 performance
1 print edition, 3 layer etching / screen print
There's also been talk of a small cast bronze piece-although we don't get to pour them, bummer, it's one of my favorite processes to do and I'm not being sarcastic. The wax positives will go to the foundry where they will take care of the sprue system, investing, and pouring. Then we get them back for the fun part...finishing it off with grinding and sanding.
I think its entirely do-able, as long as I budget my time correctly. This week I'll concentrate on getting my source material for the installation, sound, and video pieces, as well as sketches for the print, then go from there.
Sundays are incredibly low-key in Zagreb, unless one wishes to hang out at a caffe bar, there are plenty to bounce between. I did go to the flea market today, but got there too late. I'll have to make sure I get there early next week. I did see enough of it to realize that it's the place to go for anything I would need for sculpture, I even saw a few grinders and other various power tools :) When I returned I was online and found a call for papers for the 2008 Cultural Studies Conference, in particular a discussion group on art in public places, the deadline is tomorrow, 22 Oct. I think after my visit to Skulptur Projeckte Muenster, it would be entirely relevant for me to explore the issues of art in the public sphere via that specific show. So, I spent the afternoon writing up a proposal and just sent it out. It was worth a shot.
Zagreb Film Festival is this week, the list looks promising, I'll try to get to a few of the screenings in the evenings.
Studio, as usual, tomorrow, hopefully with my voice back.
--AM
2 documentation /cataloging pieces to last the duration of my stay
1 plaster / soap stone carving a week (12 in total)
1 (maybe 2) sound-based piece
1 video and projection piece
1 site-specific installation
1 performance
1 print edition, 3 layer etching / screen print
There's also been talk of a small cast bronze piece-although we don't get to pour them, bummer, it's one of my favorite processes to do and I'm not being sarcastic. The wax positives will go to the foundry where they will take care of the sprue system, investing, and pouring. Then we get them back for the fun part...finishing it off with grinding and sanding.
I think its entirely do-able, as long as I budget my time correctly. This week I'll concentrate on getting my source material for the installation, sound, and video pieces, as well as sketches for the print, then go from there.
Sundays are incredibly low-key in Zagreb, unless one wishes to hang out at a caffe bar, there are plenty to bounce between. I did go to the flea market today, but got there too late. I'll have to make sure I get there early next week. I did see enough of it to realize that it's the place to go for anything I would need for sculpture, I even saw a few grinders and other various power tools :) When I returned I was online and found a call for papers for the 2008 Cultural Studies Conference, in particular a discussion group on art in public places, the deadline is tomorrow, 22 Oct. I think after my visit to Skulptur Projeckte Muenster, it would be entirely relevant for me to explore the issues of art in the public sphere via that specific show. So, I spent the afternoon writing up a proposal and just sent it out. It was worth a shot.
Zagreb Film Festival is this week, the list looks promising, I'll try to get to a few of the screenings in the evenings.
Studio, as usual, tomorrow, hopefully with my voice back.
--AM
19 October 2007
19 Oct 07
The first full week of being at the Academy has come to a close, it didn't feel like I got a lot of work done, but in retrospect I did get a lot of planning done for what I will be doing while I'm here. Next week I hope to start getting some materials and begin work on some of my larger pieces. I nixed the stone carving, unless I decide to do a smaller piece, I just don't think I'll have enough time.
Last evening there was a happening / performance in the main square that led up to Old Town, past the Cathedral to a gallery where an opening was taking place. I didn't know too much about it until one of my studio colleagues invited me to join in the happening. The opening was for a show of work of former students from the Academy, all of whom earned +5 ( the highest grade awarded in school) and who graduated within the past 10 years. It was an important event because it is part of the year long celebration of the Academy's 100th anniversary. It was good to see the work of former students to I can now have a greater perspective on the differences and similarities of how these artists work, and how I do. So it gave a me a context, or a sense of positionality within my colleagues at the Academy, if that makes any sense.
Staying in Zagreb for the weekend, no travel plans in the near future. I'm going to stop by a flea market before getting into the studio early tomorrow morning. I'm trying to get my hands on 64 canning jars or mason jars, we'll see what I can find.
--AM
Last evening there was a happening / performance in the main square that led up to Old Town, past the Cathedral to a gallery where an opening was taking place. I didn't know too much about it until one of my studio colleagues invited me to join in the happening. The opening was for a show of work of former students from the Academy, all of whom earned +5 ( the highest grade awarded in school) and who graduated within the past 10 years. It was an important event because it is part of the year long celebration of the Academy's 100th anniversary. It was good to see the work of former students to I can now have a greater perspective on the differences and similarities of how these artists work, and how I do. So it gave a me a context, or a sense of positionality within my colleagues at the Academy, if that makes any sense.
Staying in Zagreb for the weekend, no travel plans in the near future. I'm going to stop by a flea market before getting into the studio early tomorrow morning. I'm trying to get my hands on 64 canning jars or mason jars, we'll see what I can find.
--AM
16 October 2007
16 Oct. 07
I went into the studio yesterday, and to my delight, all of the work had been completed. So the few of us that were in put the studio back in order during the morning. After lunch I began working on clay maquettes for the 20 cm piece, after much difficulty with the clay, I think it is time to seek out some wax. Rumor has it there is a stand in the produce market that has some. Today, after waking up with an early onset cold, I spent much of the morning refining the maquettes and the afternoon and evening finalizing plans for an outdoor carved stone piece, if I get started within the next week, I should have just enough time to get it done, as long as I get a softer stone, soapstone would be ideal since it polishes nicely, but I'll take what I can get. The design can easily accommodate a different material if need be, probably wood. I shall have to discuss my options with the professor tomorrow. I also began one of the pieces I am planning to be doing for the duration of my stay in Zagreb, I best get the other ones underway this week.
I was talking with one of my studio colleagues, Iva, who just happens to play ice hockey. Iva plays for the Croatian National team and invited me to their practice tonight. I met most of the team members, and they'd like me to play while I'm here! I'll have to see what the fees might be, and more importantly, what the schedule is like.
Another long day in the studio awaits me tomorrow.
--AM
PS: I've posted some pictures from Venice on Flickr, more to come soon. Also, I'll get some pics of the Academy and of Zagreb up by the end of the week.
I was talking with one of my studio colleagues, Iva, who just happens to play ice hockey. Iva plays for the Croatian National team and invited me to their practice tonight. I met most of the team members, and they'd like me to play while I'm here! I'll have to see what the fees might be, and more importantly, what the schedule is like.
Another long day in the studio awaits me tomorrow.
--AM
PS: I've posted some pictures from Venice on Flickr, more to come soon. Also, I'll get some pics of the Academy and of Zagreb up by the end of the week.
15 October 2007
Venice, Italy
This spent this past weeked in Venice for La Biennale di Venezia finally completing my Grand Tour 2007 (I didn't go to Art Basel, it's pretty much a repeat of the Armory Show, which I saw in February). Considering the lack lustre reviews the show was given, I was happy to find that I didn't share the majority opinion of the critics. I found the Robert Storr (the director) to be very forthright in his vision for the Biennale to not be concerned so much with globalism and art, but rather, contemporary art "in the present tense" as he puts it. After seeing the show, I have to admit I appreciate the format of National Pavillions, with each sponsoring country curating a mini show, and then the all-inclusive show art the Arsenale.
We had really beautiful weather in Venice, about 65 degrees and sunny. It's still tourist season in Venice, the city was packed, but since the Biennale has been up since June it wasn't too busy. I didn't have enough time to make it through all of the show, let alone get to see the sights, but I did manage to wander aroud the town and not get lost, or fall into a canal. Although on the ferry ride out of Venice on Sunday I sat outside on the bow of the boat, to enjoy the sunset over the grand canal, a tug boat cut past us and sent off a pretty good wake, which allowed our boat to get about 8 feet out of th water and then land. I, of course, realized that we were in for a pretty big back splash, got up to turn away and didn't make it in time. Consequently, I was soaked, no one else who was sitting outside got wet, I took it for the team. I walk back into the cabin and everyone turns around, looks at me, and laughs, then I realize that it looks like I peed myself. Oh well, at least I had a clean change of clothes back at the bus and, most imporartly, I didn't fall into a canal.
We got in early Monday, about 4 am, so after two and a half hours of sleep I went into the Academy. I was happy to find that the work that was being down to our studio space, had indeed been completed and I was able to get my little area in order. I spent much of the day working on sketches and maquettes for a few pieces. There is an competition from a company in Zagreb that wants a scultpure student from the Academy to design a 20 sq. cm bronze piece to give as gifts to important clientele for Christmas. I'm also kicking around the idea of doing a carved stone piece while I'm here, we'll see what happens.
Pictures from Venice to be posted soon, until later,
--AM
We had really beautiful weather in Venice, about 65 degrees and sunny. It's still tourist season in Venice, the city was packed, but since the Biennale has been up since June it wasn't too busy. I didn't have enough time to make it through all of the show, let alone get to see the sights, but I did manage to wander aroud the town and not get lost, or fall into a canal. Although on the ferry ride out of Venice on Sunday I sat outside on the bow of the boat, to enjoy the sunset over the grand canal, a tug boat cut past us and sent off a pretty good wake, which allowed our boat to get about 8 feet out of th water and then land. I, of course, realized that we were in for a pretty big back splash, got up to turn away and didn't make it in time. Consequently, I was soaked, no one else who was sitting outside got wet, I took it for the team. I walk back into the cabin and everyone turns around, looks at me, and laughs, then I realize that it looks like I peed myself. Oh well, at least I had a clean change of clothes back at the bus and, most imporartly, I didn't fall into a canal.
We got in early Monday, about 4 am, so after two and a half hours of sleep I went into the Academy. I was happy to find that the work that was being down to our studio space, had indeed been completed and I was able to get my little area in order. I spent much of the day working on sketches and maquettes for a few pieces. There is an competition from a company in Zagreb that wants a scultpure student from the Academy to design a 20 sq. cm bronze piece to give as gifts to important clientele for Christmas. I'm also kicking around the idea of doing a carved stone piece while I'm here, we'll see what happens.
Pictures from Venice to be posted soon, until later,
--AM
11 October 2007
11 Oct 07
It was nice to wake up today knowing that from here on out I'll be getting to go into the studio everyday to work. It's been a long few weeks traveling, getting settled, having meetings. I have enjoyed my travels very much, but at the same time, I am very excited to have a space in which to work. I've been traveling around for a long time, collecting and formulating ideas for new work, it's a relief to be able to carry them out, if I think about a piece too much and not act, I will end up doubting the work, even before it's underway.
I met again with the faculty on Wednesday to finalize my mentor, I will be working with Professor Drinkovic of the Sculpture department, he is also the Dean of the Academy. Shortly after the meeting he took me to the studio I'll be working in and got me a desk and space right away. We went to the student supply center in the basement of the academy, it certainly beats walking or biking across campus to the co-op to get a roll of duct tape!
I left the academy yesterday with my space in order, to come back this morning to find all the desks moved to the middle of the room and renovations going on. The students in the studio next door invited me to join them in theirs, so I was able to get some work done, but mostly just got to know my fellow students. Hopefully the studio space will be ready tomorrow, Monday at the latest.
Tomorrow, I plan to meet with Professor Drinkovic to go over my plans for the semester, which include some an edition or two of prints I'd like to start on, the I will start on getting supplies and get to work. If reno. is still underway and nothing much can be done, I'll head over to the figure drawing class, one can never have too much drawing experience.
Next post probably after Venice this weekend, unless something extraodinarily interesting happens tomorrow.
--AM
I met again with the faculty on Wednesday to finalize my mentor, I will be working with Professor Drinkovic of the Sculpture department, he is also the Dean of the Academy. Shortly after the meeting he took me to the studio I'll be working in and got me a desk and space right away. We went to the student supply center in the basement of the academy, it certainly beats walking or biking across campus to the co-op to get a roll of duct tape!
I left the academy yesterday with my space in order, to come back this morning to find all the desks moved to the middle of the room and renovations going on. The students in the studio next door invited me to join them in theirs, so I was able to get some work done, but mostly just got to know my fellow students. Hopefully the studio space will be ready tomorrow, Monday at the latest.
Tomorrow, I plan to meet with Professor Drinkovic to go over my plans for the semester, which include some an edition or two of prints I'd like to start on, the I will start on getting supplies and get to work. If reno. is still underway and nothing much can be done, I'll head over to the figure drawing class, one can never have too much drawing experience.
Next post probably after Venice this weekend, unless something extraodinarily interesting happens tomorrow.
--AM
09 October 2007
Hvar
This weekend, I traveled to the coast of Croatia, to Split, then took a ferry to one of the many islands, this one, Hvar. When I first decided to travel to Croatia, I was surprised to discover that is the place of choice for Europeans to go on Holiday. After this weekend, I understand completely. The water was as clear as glass, the town had the charm of the Mediterranean, without the crowds and high prices. It is true, you can't take a bad picture there, which mine will be posted soon, I still need to sort through them.
I was also properly introduced to Croatia via Rakija, a Croatian pseudo moonshine, every bar having a different brew. I found it to taste much like vodka (therefore pretty tolerable); however, I don't plan to be having much anytime soon, perhaps when it's time to bid farewell. I still prefer a nice glass of vino, which I hear, wine season is approaching.
I had an interview with the Assistant Dean today to go over my portfolio and will then be paired with a mentor-professor, hopefully tomorrow. I am looking forward to getting matched and given a studio space, it's a little unnerving when I realize that its the beginning of October and I haven't started working yet. I plan to find the university library tomorrow to dig around and find some reading relating to some work that I wish to do while here. Yes, jest if you must, I am completely comfortable being a nerd, thanks very much.
Off to a dual opening at the Croatian Fine Arts Center, more tomorrow.
--AM
I was also properly introduced to Croatia via Rakija, a Croatian pseudo moonshine, every bar having a different brew. I found it to taste much like vodka (therefore pretty tolerable); however, I don't plan to be having much anytime soon, perhaps when it's time to bid farewell. I still prefer a nice glass of vino, which I hear, wine season is approaching.
I had an interview with the Assistant Dean today to go over my portfolio and will then be paired with a mentor-professor, hopefully tomorrow. I am looking forward to getting matched and given a studio space, it's a little unnerving when I realize that its the beginning of October and I haven't started working yet. I plan to find the university library tomorrow to dig around and find some reading relating to some work that I wish to do while here. Yes, jest if you must, I am completely comfortable being a nerd, thanks very much.
Off to a dual opening at the Croatian Fine Arts Center, more tomorrow.
--AM
06 October 2007
6 Oct 07
Yesterday we had the meeting with some fellow international students in town. We went over the basics, pretty much what we needed to do to get a student tram pass and how to register with the police as a temporary student. If one is in Croatia longer than 3 months he or she must register with the police as a temporary resident rather then a tourist. I am staying just shy of 3 months but I was advised to register anyways, just to be safe. We were able to get our tram passes after the meeting, normally you are supposed to pay 6 kuna (about $1) each time you ride the tram, but like in any other European city no one checks if you have a tram ticket. Again, we were advised to buy one just in case. I was told the fine for riding the tram without a ticket is 200 kuna, about $40, I'd rather just pay the tram pass up front and not have to worry.
I met Elvis this morning, he and Iva have an old cell phone they are loaning me while I'm here. So I picked up an SIM chip and loaded it with 100 kuna. That will be nice to have to be able to call people here, rather than leaving notes on doors, passing messages through other people, etc.
I'm leaving on an over night bus tonight to go to Split, a big city along the coast. I'll arrive about 7.30a, then take the 9 am ferry to Hvar island to meet up with friends. Then we will return Monday evening. Then next weekend we found a trip to Venice for only $90!! plus what ever we might spend in the city, but that is still a great deal! I'm afraid that I will won't be able to see all of the Venice Biennale, but I'll be sure to plan my attack carefully to see as much as I can. Depending on studio work, I'll plan a long weekend to Poland, and a shorter weekend trips to Ljubljana, Slovenia; Sarajavo, Bosnia; and maybe Budapest, Hungary. All of those places are highly recommended by the locals, particularly, Visnja.
Next post will be when I return from Hvar and after the meeting at the Academy on Tuesday.
--AM
I met Elvis this morning, he and Iva have an old cell phone they are loaning me while I'm here. So I picked up an SIM chip and loaded it with 100 kuna. That will be nice to have to be able to call people here, rather than leaving notes on doors, passing messages through other people, etc.
I'm leaving on an over night bus tonight to go to Split, a big city along the coast. I'll arrive about 7.30a, then take the 9 am ferry to Hvar island to meet up with friends. Then we will return Monday evening. Then next weekend we found a trip to Venice for only $90!! plus what ever we might spend in the city, but that is still a great deal! I'm afraid that I will won't be able to see all of the Venice Biennale, but I'll be sure to plan my attack carefully to see as much as I can. Depending on studio work, I'll plan a long weekend to Poland, and a shorter weekend trips to Ljubljana, Slovenia; Sarajavo, Bosnia; and maybe Budapest, Hungary. All of those places are highly recommended by the locals, particularly, Visnja.
Next post will be when I return from Hvar and after the meeting at the Academy on Tuesday.
--AM
04 October 2007
3 Oct. 07
Last night I was happy to visit some Croatian friends that I met when they studied at IUP. A few of the fellow IUP students and I met up with Iva and Elvis. We went to a gallery for a show that had just recently opened. Then had a drink at one of the caffe bars in the park below the Cathedral. We spent a lot of time catching up on each others lives and talking about our plans for new art work, etc. Iva mentioned that she may have a cell phone that I can barrow to use while I am here, I will just need to buy some phone cards, much like the trac phones at home.
I decided this morning that I needed a hair cut, but not just a trim, a new style. See what happens when I cannot be occupied with the studio! I am finding it to be a welcomed change, it was fairly pointless to have long hair but wear it pinned up everyday. Check Flickr for some pics.
Tomorrow is the meeting for all the international students. I think as soon as it ends I am high tailing it to Split and then Hvar for the long weekend (Monday in Independence Day), the flea market will have to wait another week, sorry, Aasta.
All the best,
--AM
I decided this morning that I needed a hair cut, but not just a trim, a new style. See what happens when I cannot be occupied with the studio! I am finding it to be a welcomed change, it was fairly pointless to have long hair but wear it pinned up everyday. Check Flickr for some pics.
Tomorrow is the meeting for all the international students. I think as soon as it ends I am high tailing it to Split and then Hvar for the long weekend (Monday in Independence Day), the flea market will have to wait another week, sorry, Aasta.
All the best,
--AM
01 October 2007
1 Oct. '07
So, I've come to find out that nothing really happens on the weekends, even in the big city! The shops and the town in general shut down by 14.00. People are still out and about, but not really walking with any destination in mind. So, when in Zagreb...
Sunday was much of the same, the town square was filled with people, just chilling out at the expensive cafes.
I woke up early today to get my portfolio in order, finelly got a few video pieces rendered from imovie to quicktime. A few of the exchange students and I ventured to the art academy to see what was going on. Not too much, students are back, but just settling into their studios. We did find out that we have a meeting on Friday, when we will get our student cards, allowing us use of the student restaurants, and internet access. After that, I decided it would be a good idea to check in with the main international student office, picked up the student handbook and a few very helpful maps. It has been my practice over the past few days to take a random tram to where ever it leads to figure out where everything is located in Zagreb, today I stumbled upon a shopping mall, not surprising that it was pretty much every overpriced store that is downtown just stakced into 3 levels. However, it was a nice diversion for the afternoon. I was pleasently surprised to find the equivant to a super target in the lower level of the mall. I found a nice milk foamer, and little sauce pan to froth milk for my french press-made coffee : )
Speaking of milk, bizzarely, milk here need not be fridged, which makes me a little leary of it. Although I figure if I heat it, it's not too bad. I couldn't go any longer without cold cereal, so I bought vanilla soy milk and a Croatian facimile of Cheerios, can't wait for breakfast tomorrow!
Probably going to the lake tomorrow to catch up on some reading. The weather has been beautiful, I might as well take advantage of it while I can.
Best,
AM
Sunday was much of the same, the town square was filled with people, just chilling out at the expensive cafes.
I woke up early today to get my portfolio in order, finelly got a few video pieces rendered from imovie to quicktime. A few of the exchange students and I ventured to the art academy to see what was going on. Not too much, students are back, but just settling into their studios. We did find out that we have a meeting on Friday, when we will get our student cards, allowing us use of the student restaurants, and internet access. After that, I decided it would be a good idea to check in with the main international student office, picked up the student handbook and a few very helpful maps. It has been my practice over the past few days to take a random tram to where ever it leads to figure out where everything is located in Zagreb, today I stumbled upon a shopping mall, not surprising that it was pretty much every overpriced store that is downtown just stakced into 3 levels. However, it was a nice diversion for the afternoon. I was pleasently surprised to find the equivant to a super target in the lower level of the mall. I found a nice milk foamer, and little sauce pan to froth milk for my french press-made coffee : )
Speaking of milk, bizzarely, milk here need not be fridged, which makes me a little leary of it. Although I figure if I heat it, it's not too bad. I couldn't go any longer without cold cereal, so I bought vanilla soy milk and a Croatian facimile of Cheerios, can't wait for breakfast tomorrow!
Probably going to the lake tomorrow to catch up on some reading. The weather has been beautiful, I might as well take advantage of it while I can.
Best,
AM
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
