Venice, Italy, was where my abroad group began our trip. The city is known for its spectacular artwork and art history. On our first day in Venice, my friends and I saw two art museums. The first was Gallerie dell’Accademia. This museum displayed the work of Venice’s most famous artists: Titian, Canaletto, Bellini, and Tiepolo. There were also paintings by the Netherlands’ Hieronymus Bosch and Spain’s Pablo Picasso. Because these artists are mentioned so often in history, it was fascinating to see their work in person. The second museum we visited was the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Unlike Gallerie dell’Accademia, the Guggenheim was focused on modern art, showcasing works by Picasso and Andy Warhol. Although I am more interested in traditional art, it was interesting to see the contrast between the two museums. However, paintings aren’t all that Venice has to offer. The area is also known for glass blowing and its beautiful glass pieces. Most of the glass in Venice comes from a nearby island called Murano. My friends and I took a boat to this island, utilizing the public transportation system. After arriving in Murano, we went to a glass-blowing demonstration. I loved this experience as they showed us how each glass masterpiece is made from start to finish. We saw how they melt raw materials in a furnace that’s almost 3,000ºF. Then, the hot material goes through a process of shaping, cooling, and reheating, until the desired formation has been achieved. Part of the shaping process is blowing into a metal pipe attached to the hot material, making it expand outwards. The glassmaker created a vase, a snail, and blew a glass bubble right in front of our eyes. After the demonstration, we went to the glass stores that lined the canal and bought some treasures to take home. Going to Murano was worth it, and such an authentic experience. I am so glad to have immersed myself in Italy’s iconic art culture while abroad.
