Citings & Sightings of Dante's Works in Contemporary Culture
Students of a school in Florence have charted the 33 stone inscriptions of Dante’s Divine Comedy throughout the historical center of Florence. La Reppublica details the project in “Le lapidi dantesche sbarcano su Google Earth,” November 23, 2013. To see the locations of the 33 lapidi, see here. (Note: you must first download Google Earth in order open the file).
First in a series of historical thrillers featuring Dante Alighieri as investigator of crimes in 14th century Florence, the other novels are I delitti del mosaico; I delitti della luce; and La crociata delle tenebre.
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Contributed by Piergiorio Niccolazzini, PNLA Literary Agency
“The Hungarian artist Istvan Madarassy is considered one of the leading sculptors of copper in Europe, signed in the past, the restoration of the main sights of Budapest and was awarded the Medal of Merit by the President of the Republic of Hungary. Madarassy Istvan born in Budapest in 1948. And ‘member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts European Union with headquarters in Salzburg (Austria). In Italy, more precisely in Ravenna, his ‘Gates of Hell’, has received the gold medal of the Biennale Dante. His sculptures depicting St. Stephen King of Hungary and Queen Gisella, were presented to Pope John Paul II by the President of the Republic of Hungary Ferenc Madl. Another of his works is the UN. He has exhibited around the world, from Paris, London, New York, Tel Aviv, Vienna, Frankfurt and Milan. The artist presents a series of important Magyar His creations result of the precise ability to merge the hand with the technique: Madarassy it intervenes on the copper plate using a blowtorch, thus giving rise to images, changing landscapes and charming, with effects from aurora Northern Lights. In these works that could be called ‘pittosculture’ – showing the overlap of branches and twisted trees – pictures will be added from which peep heads and big hands, with vivid expression. In fact, while the hand is the means by which the artist creates, the mind and spirit are the crucible, the cradle of inspiration, where it begins the process of transformation and sublimation of matter. As a novice Demiurge, Madarassy soul infuses the matter, blowing a magical divine breath: copper so bitten by the fire, oxidized, shaped to life and soul liberating light and life.” —Life Beyond Tourism November 11, 2011 (retrieved on December 14, 2011)
In collaboration with the Museo Casa di Dante, Florence, Italy.
Contributed by Patrick Molloy
The latest issue of Harper’s Magazine features an article by Elif Batuman, “A Divine Comedy: Among the Danteans of Florence.” (NB: The site features a paywall for non-subscribers.)
“Imagine that van Gogh, after slicing off his ear, finds himself sucked down a passage into his own brain, which turns out to be the concentric onion of Dante’s Divine Comedy. Then capture that journey with three-dimensional digital imaging software and turn it, frame by computerized frame, into a five-minute animated movie. [. . .]
“She had her first breakthrough when she was taken on by the Jerome de Noirmont gallery in Paris in 2002. Since then, she has had a major sculpture and video projection work, ‘Paradise,’ installed in the Piazza della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, in 2006 [. . .].
“Ms. Zhou’s solo show of video art, ink brush drawings and sculpture at Shanghai Contrasts, running to Dec. 9, is built around her most recent film, The Greatness, a variation on the theme of Dante’s Divine Comedy.
“The film is a sequel to The Ear: both star Pharrell Williams, one in the flesh and the other as a sculpted vase, and both explore transience and death. In The Greatness, Mr. Williams’s look-alike vase, shattered by a bullet, disintegrates into a fractured universe while the bullet, like Dante guided by Virgil, travels through visions of hell and redemption accompanied by an other-worldly soundtrack composed by Mr. Morricone.” [. . .] –Claudia Barbieri, The New York Times, December 1, 2010
Read more about The Greatness, on Vice.
All submissions will be considered for posting. Bibliographic references and scholarly essays are also welcome for consideration.
Coggeshall, Elizabeth, and Arielle Saiber, eds. Dante Today: Citings and Sightings of Dante’s Works in Contemporary Culture. Website. Access date.
