As Architecture and Foundations embark on their second field trip to Southern Italy, it only felt appropriate to quickly recap the events of the first trip to Northern Italy and Switzerland.
With about ten cities in six days, our schedules were packed with amazing architectural sites. Architecture, Foundations and Art started their trip in Milan to visit sites such as City Life, Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and Casa della Memoria. The following day, all groups separated to different cities based on the most appropriate sites for each group to see: Architecture went to Como, Foundations to Varese, and Art stayed in Milan but later went to Venezia. Architecture and Foundations eventually reunited at the end of the second day to continue their trip up to Switzerland together.
Despite seeing some amazing sites in Switzerland like the Vals Thermal Baths and Sankt Benedetg Chapel, the Foundations students’ general consensus was that the time at Panza di Biumo Foundation in Varese was the most memorable. This trip to the Villa Panza was definitely one to do in a small group, so being a group of just four students was perfect. The site of 16th-19th century decor was filled with contemporary works of art. Many of the pieces on display were works of environmental art and was best experienced when being the only one in the room. As a matter of fact, some of the pieces were designed specifically for the space they were placed in. James Turrell and Robert Irwin’s permanent collection in site really blurred the lines between what was real and not: walls were not walls, rooms had their own personalities, and some colors weren’t even that color at all, just your eyes playing tricks on you. Overall, it was quite amazing and the Foundations students were glad to have been able to experience that in such a small group. The students have now reevaluated their idea of space based on their experience with light, color and shape and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see some of these concepts incorporated in their future projects.
