Photo a day - Shiny puffy

During the two years we spent in Italy, shiny puffy jackets were all the rage, especially among young people. City sidewalks were crowded with shiny parka wearers all winter long. The most popular colors were purple and black, fur trim optional. So many people wore them that they almost seemed like uniforms.

Photo a day - Burning art

As mentioned in yesterday's post, the sculptures of cartapesta (papier mâché) in the Lecce style are finished off by burning. Pictured above is an artist, working his magic with a hot iron. Photo from March 2010.

Photo a day (almost) - Cartapesta di Lecce

We really do try to post a photo a day, but we've been remiss the past few days. Sorry. Back to your reguarly scheduled blog post.

Artists in the southern city of Lecce specialize in papier mâché, which is called cartapesta in Italian. To create details such as fine lines, creases and curves, they actually burn away parts of the surface. The resulting works resemble carved wood. This elephant is an example. Photo taken in March 2010.

Photo a day - Image use approved?

Our president is popular in Europe. In Lecce we saw a fast-food place named after him. Photo taken in March 2010.

Photo a day - La Laurea

The young lady on the right just graduated. In Italy, when students graduate from college, they don't wear the graduation cap familiar to Americans. Instead, they wear a crown of laurel leaves. The degree they receive is called "La Laurea." Photo taken in March 2010.