Adding to Collections

It was near the last entry on the Italy sketchbook, the solitary artist who likely knew a lot more about his craft than marketing (can we relate?) The piece we purchased had been there on his table with the others. Click for larger view.

One of the things we tend to do, Anne and I, when traveling, is to purchase some small memento. It’s not that we set out to do it, or even necessarily think about it as we go along, it’s just something that happens.

These pieces serve as a record of where we’ve been, as well as add to the general interest of things around our house. By now, after a lifetime of travels to many places, our house is fairly rich in such physical ephemera.

These artifacts, by the way, are never found in tourist stores, more likely in out of the way corners that our path might open onto.

This last time, it was in Venice, on our last day in Italy. We were among throngs on the streets, but we happened by one little opening with nobody in it. It was something of a gallery, with interesting art on the walls and an array of small original sculptures in bronze or terracotta.

It turned out to be temporarily rented quarters for a show and sale for one Ilarion Voinea from Romania. He was the sculpture, his brother Marcel, back home, was the painter. We had little language in common; he didn’t speak English, we don’t speak Romanian, and neither of us had much Italian. Other than that, however, we had lots in common.

We particularly liked his terracotta pieces and in the end, purchased one, literally emptying both wallet and purse of our last euros. He had no bag or wrapping paper for us to carry it out, but, being small, it wasn’t a problem. By the way, almost all the artifacts in our museum/house are of a size that will fit in a suitcase.

Now the new stately woman of Romanian roots stands proud in our house, a memory of a moment, and a nice piece of original art. But she doesn’t stand alone. As I mentioned, these things become part of collections, little families of intrigue . . . for us, and for any who come by.

The grouping, normally spread around, gathered together for the photo. Click for larger view.

Here’s the menagerie from over the years. Left to right are some pieces from an anniversary trip to Patzcuaro, Mexico, some European figurines passed on by Anne’s mother, the white ones are from Chinautla, Guatemala (a country we lived in for two years), and then some great little action figures I spotted on a trip to Cape Verde off the coast of Africa. Standing in the background is the new terracotta from Romania via Venice. And in the middle, on a bamboo pedestal, is a solitary piece we still have that Anne made in high school. Such great company they’re all in . . . and such great company we’re in.

Come by and visit sometime; we’d love to have your company.