Some Michelangelo-Bashing
3 August: Got up early and went to the Accademia, home of Michelangelo's famed statue of David. First impression: It's BIG. One does not appreciate this from the ubiquitous photos. Second impression: What is so great about Michaelangelo, anyway? I walked around the thing. I stared into its eyes, which, according to my guidebook, "have a strong, confident gaze--the light of the Renaissance slaying the giant of medieval darkness." Hah! Those eyes look terrified and have an "oh, god, what I have I gotten myself into" look. Yes, yes, yes, one can certainly appreciate it as a vast diversion from any previous sculpture and very revolutionizing, indeed, but to call it the best sculpture on earth is a bit much. I think I rather prefer Bernini.
After staring at the masterpiece for a while, Hatsumi and I took the train to Pisa. We saw the tower and accompanying cathedral, which is beautiful but overshadowed by its tipsy bell tower. We considered climbing the damn thing, but it was 15 euro, and we'd have to wait around for three hours for our appointed time, with nothing to do except observe hordes of tourists taking pictures of themselves holding up the tower. After about five minutes of this, the vulgarity of it all overcame us and we fled back to the cultured glory of Florence.
The next morning, I went to the Bargello and looked at more sculptures. Saw more Michelangelo. Still not convinced. Hatsumi and I had a last breakfast together, before she left for the train station and Vienna, while I had a noontime train to Venice.
The next post details the Venetian Adventure, which began at the train station.
After staring at the masterpiece for a while, Hatsumi and I took the train to Pisa. We saw the tower and accompanying cathedral, which is beautiful but overshadowed by its tipsy bell tower. We considered climbing the damn thing, but it was 15 euro, and we'd have to wait around for three hours for our appointed time, with nothing to do except observe hordes of tourists taking pictures of themselves holding up the tower. After about five minutes of this, the vulgarity of it all overcame us and we fled back to the cultured glory of Florence.
The next morning, I went to the Bargello and looked at more sculptures. Saw more Michelangelo. Still not convinced. Hatsumi and I had a last breakfast together, before she left for the train station and Vienna, while I had a noontime train to Venice.
The next post details the Venetian Adventure, which began at the train station.