Week 22 - In Milan, Ellie trains her artist's eye on fine details

Edited BY


G P Kennedy

Ellie - Milan, Italy


 In the land of coffee and good food, things are getting back to normal in terms of human activity. It is increasingly difficult to find free spots in coffee shops on a whim. But we were lucky here to find a table facing the lake this past week 


 The social changes of social comity design have had their visual impact, too. Besides the utilitarian signage, it's mostly on the vernacular level. 

 That is, non-professionals determine it. I was struck how this bar has set apart its welcome disinfectant gel on such a dainty handmade lace tablecloth on it's own table, greeting customers at the door.

 

 A combination of vernacular taste and utilitarian necessity has happened here to ward off tables from the street. 

 They are by appointment only!

 

 And speaking of door, this church has not yet realized how off-putting its signage is, trying to make clear which door is for entry and which one is for exit. 

 In a way it is so unwelcoming that might as well be forbidding entry to potential visitors.

 

 Saint Francis, the famous stigmatic who embraced poverty and put himself in a brotherhood with animals, is admonishing parishioners here at the entrance to keep distant from each other and assiduously eliminate dirt from skin. What a message, huh? 

 I just wonder what St. Francis would potentially comment on a pandemic - would he embrace brotherhood with the virus- or at least what is the liturgical story that priests use to give an imaginative shape to the pandemic? Is it hopeful? Encouraging? Strict? Punishing?

 

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