license to kiln

Terra cotta (literally “burnt earth”) enjoyed a rennaissance in Northern Italy in the 15th century.

It spread to England in the early 1800’s 

and to New York City by the late 1800’s.

Our 1886 ClockTower is a great example.

http://clocktowertenants.com/2012/11/giving-thanks-one-angle-at-time.html

But this building, Casa Manzoni is in Milan, in northern Italy.

It was built in the 1700’s but restored to terracotta glory in 1864.

The American stonecutter’s union was not happy when this trend landed in New York.

“It will not endure in New England winters!” was their battle cry.
(But it does.)

All over our city terracotta is as sharp and crisp and clean
 as the day it came out of the kiln.

http://clocktowertenants.com/2017/05/really-like-terracotta.html

In Italy, too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Manzoni

italian cinema

shockingly small

That little black BMW x-3 is a fairly small car at only 186 inches long.

But it’s a giant compared to the TWIZY by Renault.

This tiny electric car is only 92”,

about half as long as the little Beemer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Z.E.

The ZE stands for “zero emission”. 

It charges in about 3 1/2 hours from a standard household receptacle.

Or those charging stations, all over Milan.

Since its launch in 2009, Renault has sold about 20,000 units at about $10,000 each.

That’s not much.

But it’s impressive when you consider its range is only 40 miles.

And the only heat in winter is an electric blanket sold as an accessory that plugs into the car.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Twizy

bye lovey

fly safe!

the maturation process

The cobblestone streets of Milan are truly ancient.

They’ve been embedded with trolley track since 1881,

5 years before our ClockTower.

Horses did the work back then. 

Then came steam. 

Overhead wiring brought electricity to the 110 mile system in 1893.

In Center City the tram cars have all been modernized.

But a ride out to the ‘burbs is more impressive. 

That’s where the older tram cars are still in use.

Crafted in chrome and glass, enameled steel and gleaming mahogany, 

they are a throwback to the early 1940’s.

And they are spotless.

No graffiti. No scratching or carving on the seats.

There is a civic pride in these trains and the locals take excellent care of them.

No one litters. The cars are immaculate.

New Yorkers are a young culture and we have some growing up to do.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_Milan

be still, my foolish art

The Palazzo Morando is an historic palace on a 

fashionable side street in Milan.

Built in the 1500’s, it was home to a series of wealthy and influential Milanese families over the centuries.

When the owner, a countess with no heirs died in 1945, she donated the building and its contents to the city.

As timing would have it, 

World War 2 had recently destroyed The Milan Museum.

And since the Palazzo was already filled with spectacular artifacts, fresco paintings and precious antiquities, the city made it into a new museum.

Later, the palace specialized its mission to fashion history, 

and it was the Manolo Blahnik shoe show that brought me in.

http://clocktowertenants.com/2014/10/shoe-in.html

The opulence and excellence of craft in both the building and the footwear was simply jaw dropping.

Room after room of extraordinary artworks and antiques are more than enough to justify a visit.

But the Manolo exhibit itself was equally remarkable.

It led the viewer through his artistic process, from watercolor concepts and paper patterns...

....then to hand cut leather and fabric to hand assembly.

Every shoe is its own work of art.

The juxtaposition of contemporary art within this exceptional building was a real treat.

I was just overjoyed.

Seriously!

http://clocktowertenants.com/2014/10/heal-and-soul.html