Raptors Victory Parade, Toronto

A million people came out yesterday in Toronto to line the route of the Raptors' victory parade.

 Some staked out their positions early.

Others roamed freely along Lakeshore Avenue

waiting for the parade to begin. 

Finally, we were all lined up, and the way was clear.

 Bill and I found some high ground to get an angle on the action.

 Toronto Fire Pipe and Drum band lead the way.

Why is the sound of the pipes and drums so stirring? 

Toronto Police carried our flag. 

First hint of the Raptors

The players themselves followed

 The crowd cheered and ran along the parade route

alongside the buses carrying the players -- caught up in the joy of victory.

Open Courtyards, Rome

John and I took a little tour of the Open Courtyards of Rome last week. The weekend-long event allows the public to enter palatial courtyards that are usually closed.

 We began with the elegant courtyard of Palazzo Della Valle

 and were allowed to climb the stairs to its gorgeously decorated reception room

 with its huge fireplace

and enjoyed the view down into the courtyard. 

 

 As we left the palace we could see that our tour was going to be fun!

The courtyard of the next palace, the Palazzo Pasolini Dall'Onda, was small but featured an incredible Baroque fountain that dwarfed both me and the space.

 It also held a group of caged stones that were probably for restoration of their pavements but made us think of the installations of contemporary artists.

Our next stop was the Palazzo del Gallo in the Piazza Farnese.

Again we were allowed to climb the wonderful staircase that dominates the courtyard.

 I loved this terrace that became apparent as we climbed. Wouldn't this be a dreamy airbnb sanctuary!

 Last but not least of our courtyard visits was to the Palazzo Capponi Antonelli. This elegant courtyard leads to a gorgeous, hidden garden.

 The building seen from the garden looks like the set to a wonderful ghost story.

As one climbs the stairs visitors are treated 

 to a view of the lush planting below. 

 We imagined a legend of a mysterious woman who would occasionally appear in the garden below.

What a treat to be able to visit some of the beautiful spots that are usually hidden. We took the magic of their beauty back into the wet streets of Rome.

Mapplethorpe at Gallerie Corsini, Rome

Celebrations of the thirtieth anniversary of Robert Mapplethorpe's death are taking place around the world. Bill and I have already reported on the must-see show at the MADRE in Naples.

The Corsini Gallery in Rome is participating by installing a selection of Mapplethorpe's photographs amongst their collection of 16th and 17th century art.

Many of the juxtapositions are straightforward -- the sculptural nudes of Ajitto (1981) are paired with bronze wrestlers. 

The art in the Corsini collection was arranged in the 18th century and has not changed since then. Mapplethorpe's black and white photos stand out on the walls.

 Ken and Lydia and Tyler, 1985.

 Mapplethorpe liked traditional art. He and his partner filled their NYC apartment with both traditional and modern art. (Italian Devil, 1988)

A closer look at Italian Devil.

Mapplethorpe was interested in traditional ways of representing the human figure and enjoyed using conventional motifs for his own expressive ends. (Harry Lunn, 1976) 

 Harry Lunn with unidentified Cardinal.

Black Bust, 1988/Apollo, 1988

 Marus Leatherdale, 1978, with some hunting sculptures.

Marus Leatherdale

The installation concludes with a traditional setting for photographs -- against a red wall.

Holly Soloman, 1976/Carol Overby, 1979

Jack-in-the-pulpit, 1988

Female Torso, 1978/Lisa Lyon, 1980

Lisa Lyon

I love the level of abstraction Mapplethorpe has achieved here. Especially that strange headless line along the top of the torso.

We exited the Corsini past a formal collection of busts. Bet Mapplethorpe would have liked these.

People in Rome

 People-watching is always a pleasure in Rome.

Let's begin with this oarsman beginning his sprint on the Tiber

and pass this workman painting a screen in his workshop

or this fellow selling wares with an avian bystander

or this visitor to the Barbarini Collection

or this young fellow taking a rest in one of Rome's many churches

or this doorman at a Bulgari shop        

or a lady checking in on her break

or this elderly couple taking a stroll in the rain

or a paver repairing a monastery courtyard

or a cellist working the Ponte Sisto

or a waiter adjusting his friend's suspender

or an elegant barman pouring a glass of wine

or a cook checking his emails

or a couple of friends recording a light show

or a fashionable young lady displaying her shaggy jacket

or this dapper gent on the Via Condotti

or these priests passing through the Parione neighbourhood

and end with this clergyman slipping off to his next destination by bike.