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What are the most important things needed to live a good life?
I think books, music and art make life worth living, once basic needs (food, shelter, safety) are met.
I got to go to an art show by a dear old friend from college last night. It is her first gallery show. In college, she was a double major in art history and religion. For decades, she’s worked as a museum educator and administrator.
She always had an artist’s eye and soul. We studied abroad in Italy at the same time and traveled together on our fall break. A fellow blogger’s post about the city of Bergamo (Italy) reminded me of that trip. We went to Bergamo, Parma, Verona, Venice, and Milan.
Her artwork involves deconstructing everyday packaging and reassembling in very cool ways.
50 Happens 
Lovely post Mary. Your picture atop the Duomo in Milan were the good old times. Nowadays you have to book a slot to secure your visit on top of the Duomo.
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Oh really? Thats interesting Chris. I’m glad I made it up there once in my life!
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Yeah, the glory of mass tourism 😊 Be glad you made it up there 😎
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True. I think I finally I understand “mass tourism” after visiting Paris last year. The Louvre line, even with a reservation, was just insane.
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Right. Italy is hit hard by mass tourism. Also due to the many films, series, documentaries about the beauty of this country.
Venice is unliveable for the locals. I saw Instagram followers posing in front of church entrances, posing and acting like they’re participating in a TV show. Really?
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Poor Venetians. I heard that Barcelona is now becoming “for tourists only,” due in part to unintended consequences of a law intended to control rents.
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Exactly. Tourism is unfortunately out of control. Can’t be that tourists take over the lives of the locals.
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Having her first gallery showing must have been very special for her. I enjoyed her piece from afar, but also zoomed in to see the detail. I’m always impressed by an artist eye, how they are able to visualize and create. Thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed this.
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Thank you! I’m so glad you zoomed in. There’s so much to see in this piece. The black circles are beer 4-pack tops.
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You know, I was was wondering what that was. I liked the coin wrappers and the sold tag. It’s cool how she used the print on the boxes, too. That must have been a fun event to see your friends art on display.
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It really was!
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Interesting piece and one of my favorite types of artwork, taking something or in this case many things (!) out of its found context. Makes us appreciate. 🙂
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Yes! It really makes you think about all the effort that goes into packaging—from designing it to delivering it.
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