9.12.98
On the train to Modena (I hope – we all rushed off on to this one in the fond belief it was the right train). Ages since I’ve written – it gets harder all the time without a keyboard – and ages since I’ve travelled. In fact, I shouldn’t be here: this UUnet white paper is hanging still – and I’m fed up hanging around. So off to Modena – partly to see the exhibition of the Ferrara collection, partly to add to my collection – of Italian city states.
Cold December morning, pale pink sunrise, touch of mist on the ploughed fields (there is a mad Ivesian concerto of mobile phones, all different tones, going on here – horrible). Generally I am perhaps working too much – but I enjoy it so. Now is really such an exciting time – and I am right in the middle of it. Since the Linux piece last year – now shown way ahead of its time – I am really on top of what’s happening, and everything I write is pretty much spot-on and ahead of the pack. I really wouldn't want to ease up at the moment, even though things like travelling and sonnets (to name but two) are suffering.
In the duomo. Nice. Dark brickwork inside, moon-coloured Romanesque outside. Modena centre is nice too: arcade from Palazzo Comunale to centre, lots of 17th, 18th century buildings. Helpful information centre (plus Internet connection for free). Lots of museums (and Philip Glass at the local theatre). Cold here, but beautiful clear skies.
Now in Da Enzo, with a view of the synagogue. Awaiting pappardelle and scaloppine. A good morning. To the exhibition of paintings from the Estense lands – Guercino (Barbieri) the star. Then to a photo exhibition in the main Galleria Civica – very poor stuff. The almost total lack of ideas highlighted by the exhibition of Robert Wilson in the park. His use of coloured, stretched, painted, emphasised letters, plus the brilliant idea of painting dabs of colour and lines on glass – a real 3D painting – works, and is a sure mark of genius. Someone who simply has new ideas – not forced attempts to be original.
Walking back past the stables, the healthy stench of horses. The Teatro taking down the scaffolding in my honour. Pity I won’t get to the Dossi exhibition in Ferrara – the catalogue looks good. I feel very drawn to glossy art books. Partly because I feel being in Italy almost requires me to take an interest.
The pappardelle good, the scaloppine (with local balsamic vinegar) exceptional. In the train at Fidenza. Sun setting now – I have been out in the arc of a day.
Main exhibition at Modena was interesting, if not great. I was strongly tempted to buy a couple of books: the catalogue of the Dosso Dossi exhibition at Ferrara, and a very curious but fascinating translation of Adams (contemporary) Language of Architecture. I hope I can find it online. Talking of which, I see that Modena has a rete civica – complete with digital certificates and corresponding intranet. There really is a very interesting feature here: I wonder if I have the time to write it. In fact time (and money) is the main obstacle to many articles. If I didn’t need to write for dosh I could do many. For example, one on MP3 for New Scientist.
The nice thing about these days out is that I return from them keen to get on with work; without them, I pine, inefficiently wasting time fantasising about them.
