The Ladybug can hear the “African Voices”

One of the most vibrant and interesting exhibits that I have attended this year is African Voices hosted by one of my favorite art galleries in town, Officine dell’Immagine.

The exhibition was entirely dedicated to the complex and multifaceted African artistic panorama: Safaa Erruas (Morocco), Mounir Fatmi (Morocco), my beloved Maïmouna Guerresi (Italy-Senegal) and Kyle Weeks (Namibia) pieces are showcased with their different yet dynamic views of the African continent. Each one of them with their characteristic form of art and thinking. Not only different views but also different languages adopted by the artists involved, whose works can range from videos to installations, from photography to sculpture. All these pieces were exhibited in Milan for the first time.

No need to say that I enjoyed it very much and I loved spending time in analyzing and interpreting the views of these incredible artists.

Officine dell’Immagine is not new to this type of event: I suggest that you follow them to keep informed on the new exhibits as personally I loved each and every one of them.

You can find some of my favorite pieces here and a special sustainable outfit for the event:

• Second hand short-sleeved jumper from Sézane on Vinted
• Vintage leather skirt from Vintage Como
• Vintage 80s boots from London Corner
• Second hand man blue shirt
• Vintage bag from Humana Vintage
• Vintage Mila Schon headscarf from Archetipo
• Handamde earrings from Metalica

Can’t wait for the next Officine dell’Immagine event (also I love the fact that every time we go we are always alone and can enjoy the whole gallery only for us!!)

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The Ladybug on wearing all the vintage we couldn’t wear in the last year!

How many occasions did we have in 2020 to go out, enjoy a night out with your friends, visiting a museum etc.? Very few I would say, this is why I will still remember that night as one of the best of 2020!

The occasion for a friends reunion was the fabulous exhibition at the Museo Diocesano in Milan of the amazing photographer Inge Morath. It was the first italian retrospective dedicated to the first woman photographer of Magnum Photo agency. More than 170 shoots that told her professional path from the begininnings with Ernst Haas and Henri Cartier-Bresson to her collaborations with the most famous magazines such as LIFE, Paris Match, Vogue etc. Inge Morath was also an insatiable traveler and many of her travel reportages were exposed, as well as portaits of Arthur Miller, Igor Stravinsky, Alberto Giacometti, Pablo Picasso, Audrey Hepburn etc.

The exhibit was also an occasion for an aperitivo in the cloister of the museum and for a dinner with my friends in a lovely secret corner of Milan.

It was also an occasion to bring out some of my new vintage pieces as they were being suffering in my wardrobe for such a long time!

I decided to wear one of my latest additions, a lovely 80’s vintage dress London Corner Vintage, paired with a golden vintage belt from Bottega Rossa in Milan and a vintage rattan bag from La Maison G.

I added a pair of green t-bar shoes from Miss L Fire (you know how much I love this brand), an handmade turban from Madame Ilary and a pair of vintage Trifari earrings from A Rebours Vintage.

As it was one of my few “go-out-outfits” it just needed to be as big and as vintage as I could! I definitely tried to wear all of the things that I haven’t worn in the last months while locked at home and I often think of how many outfits I still will need to bring out for a walk in the next months…let’s hope for a rest of 2021 full of new occasions to wear our vintage clothes and accessories!

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The Ladybug’s mystical experience at “Rûh/Soul” exhibit by Maïmouna Guerresi

Queen Hathun (2015)

This time last year, just back from my second trip to Senegal, I attended one of the greatest exhibits I have ever seen in my life. In the intimate frame of the Officine dell’Immagine in Milan, a small exhibit completely turned me upside down. This is the proof that you don’t need a streamline exhibit to feel the art flowing in your veins and to have your soul impacted just watching a photograph: when it’s art it can happen anywhere, even in a small gallery but the artist, yes, the artist must be powerful.

Powerful is indeed the word that I would use to describe the Rûh/Soul exhibit by Maïmouna Guerresi.

Just a handful of her photographs holding on the wall completely floored me.

Yaye Fall (2019)

Red Balance (2018)

What Kind of (2016)

The main reason – I think – is the artist’s representation of women: the women pictured in her photographs represent the force of the African Muslim woman, The Great Mother, as she defines her. They are powerful, anchored to the Earth like a tree, light and soft as a cloud, they are one with Nature. I had fresh memories in my mind of these women, the African women that I met in Senegal. It is not a coincidence that Maïmouna Guerresi has Senegalese origins. But also Italian, and her mixed culture is clearly visible in her art: what a mistake to think that different cultures cannot perfectly mix to reach the supreme beauty!

Another reason that makes this exhibit so powerful is the clear feeling of divine peeking out of her photographs. To me this appears clearly in her photo Yaye Fall (honestly my favorite one), where the human being is the link between the Nature – the roots of the tree from which it elevates – and the highest divinity.

It is very hard for me to describe my feelings in front of Maïmouna Guerresi art. In that exact moment my first answer was silence. I was so overwhelmed by many powerful feelings that the only thing that I could do was just listening to them, feeling them and let them guide me to this almost mystical experience.

How many artists can do that?

PS: I wore a vintage dress found at a Vinokilo event in Milan and handmade jewelry from Afrohemien and Metalica.

Flow (2019)

Swing (2018)

The Ladybug gets color-blocked at Roy Lichtenstein exhibit

Roy Lichtenstein “Multiple Visions” was possibly one of the most interesting exhibits that I have visited in Milan this year so far. The exhibition took place this last spring/summer at the Mudec Museum and exposed around 100 prints, sculptures and tapestries from the king of the pop art, including also videos and photographs from many American and European private collections and museums. I also loved the decorations and the entire set-up: color-block printed walls, striped and polka-dotted floors, a blossoming of pop colors (and very Instagram-friendly!) in perfect harmony with the exposed art! It is not a coincidence that I took so many pictures, also outside the exhibit area, in the hall of the museum that is one of my favorite spaces in Milan for its modern architecture.

The pop art movement was born in the 60s and its first objective was to find a language that could be used against the abstract expressionism. The most famous pop art artists were the same Roy Lichtenstein and of course, Andy Warhol. Like him, Lichtenstein used daily objects in its art, as a representation of the economic opulence of the era; he often used advertising language to attack mass consumerism but he was also the first to use comic strips as a new artistic way to communicate. Comic strips were very simple, clear and easy way to communicate and he made them a real form of art. It is still a mistake to consider it as the only or main form of art that he used: during the exhibit it is possible to admire his multiple ways of expressions and to know more about this incredible artist.

For the visit I wore one of my favorite combos from Madame Ilary: a turban-culottes combination made with a golden sparkling Syrian fabric that I bought in Amman last spring. Such a shame that I didn’t have enough space in my luggage to buy more! I paired with a simple black tee from Asos and a pair of sparkling shoes from a Lazzari old collection. My golden necklaces are from & Other Stories and Afrohemien; my golden hoop earrings are from Genny Pi.

The Ladybug explores the visual archives of the Black Image Corporation (in a very vintage location in Milan)

I have been curious of visiting the Osservatorio Prada in the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan for ages, until I found the perfect exhibit to visit there: The Black Image Corporation by Theaster Gates.

It is a very interesting project that shows part of the incredible Johnson Publishing Company archives with many images representing the “image” of the contemporary African American identity. The images come from the monthly magazine Ebony for example or the weekly magazine Jet from the 40s and the 50s: they both gave voice to the black Americans after the World War and promoted black celebrities as well as cultural discussion. In particular the exhibit focused on the work of two black photographers: Moneta Sleet Jr. and Isaac Sutton with particular attention to the creation of the “black female icon”.

Everything is placed on the two floors on top of this beautiful building: the Osservatorio is located above the central octagon, at the level of the glass and iron dome that covers the arcades, realized by Giuseppe Mengoni between 1865 and 1867 that looks so French but is absolutely Milanese. Also the beautiful wooden floors are original from the previous structure bombed during the World War II.

It is a place that deserves a visit especially if you do it on a calm sunny morning like we did with the beautiful light filtered by the dome first and then by the glass façade.

I wore a pair of prince of wales culottes and black turtle neck sweater from Zara with my new pair of AMAZING black laced boots from Ouigal. They are my favorite piece at the moment and actually my third pair of shoes from them! Yes, I am totally addicted but who wouldn’t be? They are just mind-blowing!!

My headwrap is the new Coco wrap from Madame Ilary in black and prince of wales with side tassel while my handmade brass earrings are from Metalica Creazioni. Black leather bag is from Coccinelle.

The Ladybug and the Brazilian experience at PAC Milan

Before leaving for my summer holidays I visited a last exhibit in Milan: Brazil. Knife in the Flesh at PAC in Milan. At my biggest surprise it was a great exhibit and I enjoyed it a lot, especially the live performance by Maurício Ianês that I found emotional at the point that I couldn’t stop thinking of his work for the following days.

I don’t go often to PAC exhibits but when I do they turn out as great events: I think about the one on CUBA or on Nelson Mandela, two of my favorites ever! This one on Brazil was not less. The name of the exhibit (Navalha na Carne) is the title of a play by the Brazilian writer Plínio Marcos, particularly active during the years of the Brazilian military regime. Not a surprise then that the exhibition is based on this never-ending conflict inside the Brazilian society; it is expressed through installations, photographs, videos and performances of the artists invited and it is often interpreted with hope for the future or with complete disillusion and disappointment.

Anyway, the Brazilian cultural environment is still alive and prosperous and it represents a sort of revolutionary act in front of this perennial conflict.

I was lucky enough to visit the expo in July, during the live performance of  Maurício Ianês, in front of whom I spent a lot of time, sitting on the floor and trying to connect with the artist and with his incredible powerful message. He arrived at the exhibit beginning of July completely naked (like he did 10 years ago at the San Paolo Biennale) waiting for the visitors to offer him food, clothes, drinks or whatever they want to offer. Since then he has been living in the Museum for two weeks exposing what he received during his performance (that he calls “action”) “Untitled (Dispossession)“.

For the event I wore different shades of blue: from the electric blue of the thrifted Topshop silk shirt, to the teal of Zara culottes, to the aqua of Madame Ilary handmade turban. I added a vintage 80s flamingo brooch from La Vespa Roja in Valencia and mud caged boots from Jeffrey Campbell.

The Ladybug has new visions, inspirations and a special view of Milan

Since the opening of the new “White Tower” – as we call it! – at the Fondazione Prada in Milan I’ve been trying to organize a visit with some friends, but due to the difficult timetable for us it took a while before we finally managed, less than a month ago!

Although I was not extremely impressed by the permanent exhibitions (most of them I have seen already during previous visits at the Fondazione, some floors I really didn’t like and I still prefer the permanent exhibits of the Golden Tower), I was totally amazed by the architecture and the view from this new building.

The visit starts with a beautiful lift ride (in a huge pink lift with an incredible view of Milan) until the last floor of the Tower: from there you can walk all the way down passing by different exhibitions at each floor (including the beautiful Torre Restaurant). Some floors are worth the visit and I enjoyed a few artists and the huge windows from which you can really “feel” and not only see this ever changing town.

After the visit we couldn’t help having a walk in the internal open spaces of the Fondazione and an aperitivo in our favorite  Bar Luce designed by Wes Anderson.

I wore Heka Couture purple shantung culottes, with & Other Stories tee and sabots and Fulani earrings by Africaialha. 

The Ladybug About Keith Haring Art

When I saw the advert of the upcoming Keith Haring exhibit in Milan I couldn’t help thinking of my last (and first) Keith Haring exhibit. I was in New York in 2012 and I was staying in Brooklyn in a B&B. I found there the flyer of Keith Haring exhibition at Brooklyn Museum and I felt so happy and grateful to have the chance to see his art for the first time in New York! I enjoyed that exhibit so much that I could never forget it! It’s definitely in “my best memories ever” archive!

The good feelings came to my mind immediately and I wasn’t sure if going or not as I didn’t want to ruin my Brooklyn memories. I decided to have a look anyway and it was a great decision! The exhibit that I saw in 2012 was more focused on Keith Haring adverts and drawings in New York subway stations and even if I found a few here in Milan the exhibit was basically different.

110 of Keith Haring works were exposed, from public and private collections from all over the world. Some of them were shown in Italy for the very first time. The exhibition tries to create a link between Keith Haring works and their source of inspiration: from classical art to pre-Columbian art, from American Indian and Pacific masks to his favorite artists, such as Pollock and Klee.

His colorful pieces are a joy for the eye but very often pain and frustration for the world lie behind them. I have always loved his art and I was happy to discover that some of my favorite pieces of him were exposed there.

The exhibit will be in Milan at Palazzo Reale until 18^th of June 2017, so don’t miss your chance to discover (or re-discover, as it was my case!) this incredibly talented artist-activist. 

For the exhibit I wore ASOS black dungaree, Topshop palm shirt and an almost vintage leather jacket! I paired with Madame Cosette velvet ankle boots and Michael Kors Bucket bag.

The Ladybug enters the enchanted world of Antonio Marras (Nulla Dies Sine Linea)

I started 2017 with great “firsts”: the first movie of the year (Collateral Beauty), the first book of the year (Rodolfo Walsh stories), the first shopping of the year (a beautiful and warm jacket for half of its price). So was my first exhibit of the year: Antonio Marras’ Nulla Dies Sine Linea at the Triennale in Milan.

I visited the exhibit at the beginning of January, on a cold Saturday afternoon and I loved it since I came in, passing through a series of hanged white shirts and black jackets with attached bells  as so wanted the artist.

The artist is Antonio Marras, one of my favorite designers ever, whose fashion showroom and artistic space (Spazio Marras) is one of my favorite corners in Milan (I visited it recently for the wonderful Malick Sidibé photography exhibition). I have always loved his fashion and I have always considered him as one of the most innovative and creative talents in Italy. I have been following him since he was an “emerging designer” because I was stunned by his fashion art and I have been loving him since then.

I wasn’t surprised to find out that he was also an incredible artist. Nulla Dies sine Linea is a tribute to his life and career but also to the artist more than the designer. Fashion is everywhere but the exhibit is a totalizing journey into his world. From paintings to sculptures and installations, the atmosphere is relaxed, the lights are soft, the music delicately brings the visitor inside Marras’ world. There is no filter and the personal reaction is crucial. There is life and death, light and mystery, sex and fashion. Old doors and furniture often surround the installations and when you cross them you have the incredible feeling of entering something private, enveloping and fascinating, involving all of your senses.

I adored this touching journey and I fell in love with Antonio Marras even more as I discovered a lot more about his art and I was captivated by its amazingness.

I wore a Blauer green parka, Acne Studios black skinny jeans and Replay biker boots.

The Ladybug’s big dream: Basquiat exhibit in Milan

Six years ago one of the biggest European exhibits on Jean-Michel Basquiat opened in Paris, at the Museum of Modern Art. I was seriously thinking of getting a ticket to Paris just to see it but although my huge love and admiration for this incredible American artist, I never managed to see his art live. The first time that I saw a few of his paintings I was at Miart in Milan in 2013 but that’s nothing compared to the huge exhibit started at Mudec Museum this October and showing more than 100 works (from private collections) of the short but intense career of this amazing artist who died in 1988 at 27.

He has been defined a writer, a graffiti artist, the symbol of the new African diaspora and a son of the African slavery but what I have always loved of Jean-Michel Basquiat powerful art is the way he put together his African roots and the energy of NYC suburbs. These two sides of his art are a huge part of this beautiful exhibit that will be in Milan until the end of February 2017 and I am thinking of going back to see it again before it ends.

The exhibit also shows his art as a bridge between different cultures and it is probably one of the biggest occasions to see Basquiat’s art in Europe or at least in Italy and I must say that it is absolutely worth the visit.

For the exhibit I wore a beige Please sweater, Topshop boyfriend jeans and Max&Co navy coat. I also wore my new clogs from Archivio Vintage and my new Bonne Maison colored socks with my Cavalli e Nastri vintage 70’s handbag.