Mundus Totus Exsilium Est

delicatus ille est adhuc cui patria dulcis est
fortis autem jam cui omne solum patria est
perfectus vero cui mundus totus exsilium est

He is delicate to whom his native land is sweet.
He is already strong to whom every land is his fatherland.
He is perfect to whom the world is as a place of exile.

— Hugh of Saint Victor, 12th cent.

I received the above quote from Bruce Herman today at a meeting during which he explained a bit about the paintings which will be installed for his show on the 13th. I think it is a perfect summary of the emotion and state of being that I am gradually putting on as my time in Italy moves toward its end. In addition, it is a good saying for life in general, especially the time of life I currently inhabit in which there is much that is necessarily transient.

I left off the last post in anticipation of the meal we were about to have at the Doll’s apartment, a flight of stairs and a few steps down the hall from our own living quarters. The meal matched my expectations; I was angry with myself for having eaten even those few fennel seed biscuits I’d had over an aperitivo with Riel right before, because I ought to have starved myself that entire day! We were first treated to a delicious lentil soup topped with goat cheese, accompanied by soft (salted!) bread from Rome. The main course was a bit of an experiment for Matt: a bowl of rice formed the substrate for baked sausages and a delicious pesto gravy of sorts. My mouth waters still as I think about it. Salad with a light vinaigrette were on the side, and we finished the time with Sharona’s apple crisp and vanilla ice cream – a lovely taste of home.

But we’ve done more than eat. Sunday was our last mass at San Giovenale, the millennium-old worship space that feels as sanctified and ancient as you would imagine it to be. In my writing class we are finishing the final drafts of our pieces; I will likely post mine Thursday. Sunday evening we had the first ever Monastery San Paolo Show of Talents, at which I read the poem I’d written here (Scott Cairns had graciously helped me make some revisions that brought it to a point at which I am comfortable with it). Following dinner was a reading of both the Italian and English translations of a poet who was a contemporary of Dante, at which both Scott Cairns and a visiting professor from Wheaton, Brett Foster, each read a poem of his own.

I’ve also been commissioned to videotape parts of rehearsals for the events surrounding the installment of Bruce’s paintings, and I believe I will be helping with lighting for that as well. This is a full-fledged show, with original music and interpretive dance in response to the paintings. Singers and dancers from New York have come in, as well as Paul and the choreographer Karin Coonrod. Of course I wish I could be actually singing, but the parts are only for women; still, I am doing all I can to assist, which has been fantastic. [EDIT: I just found out that I will be singing after all, apparently they need a tenor 1 for something! I'm not quite sure yet in what capacity I'll be singing, but I'm really psyched about it! This made my night.] And busy. Here is a look at my schedule (in addition to class from 9-12 Wednesday and Thursday mornings):
Wednesday
2:00 – Light crew meeting
6:00 – Readings by a famous Italian author
9:15 – Concert at the Duomo
10:15 – Attend the tail end of light rehearsal
Thursday
6:30 – Reception for Stone Carving and Travel Writing classes (presentation of work)
8:30 – Open house at the Doll’s apartment
Friday
11:00am – Artist panel discussion
5:30 – Presentation by Claudia Koll
7:30 – Group dinner at Charlie’s
9:00 – Performance at Teatro di Mancinelli
Saturday
3:00 – Exit room inspection
5:00 – Procession of the Women (an Orvietano festival)
9:00 – Opening of Bruce Herman’s installation

Yesterday was a good day. Around four, Bruce and I went to Montenucci’s for crudini and to talk about art and learn more about each other. He is very knowledgeable, especially experientially, but is at the same time completely humble and accommodating towards a zealous, excited, and naïve young art student like myself. I thoroughly enjoy every chance I get to speak with him, and I hope that that will not end after I leave this place.

Before dinner that same night, a group of us gathered at Caffe Cavour to drink spumante and see Hilary Meakin off. Her teaching job ended today, and so she’s now in Rome and flying back to England tomorrow morning. I really enjoyed all of our interactions here, and I hope that I will see her again in the future.

Dinner was a delicious salad with a desert of watermelon! After, some of us went to Charlie’s. I tried a beer made by Trappist monks that was served to me in a gold-rimmed goblet. It was pretty good.

Not too much going on today. This afternoon Matt gave a demonstration on how to hand make a book for drawing or painting in, which I think I will do this summer. I’ve always rather liked the idea of creating a book…there are a few possible themes I have in mind. But for now, I think I will spend the remainder of my time doing the final polishing on my travel writing piece.

perfectus vero cui mundus totus exsilium est