Turin, Italy
UPDATE (November 29 - December 1)
First off, Turin has the best skyline in the world (see photo above). I only spent two days here but it was one of my favorite cities!
GLASS ELEVATOR
The Mole Atonelliana is a cinemetography museum and the not-so-sore sore thumb of Turin's skyline.
After a steep walk up and back down Monte Cappuccini, I found my way to the elevator within the Mole Antonelliana. I rode to the top of the building in a glass elevator, much like the one from the closing scene of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Looking down from within the dome of the Mole Antonelliana.
I don't think Charlie's ride delivered a view of the sun setting on pink-capped mountains.
STARTING MY ENGINE
Turin also boasts an incredible automobile museum, Museo Nazionalle Dell'Automobile.
I knew (and still know) very little about horsepower and cylinders. But, I know more about which cars excite me and which cars make me raise an eyebrow. Design determines these distinctions. I learned about proportion and balance, emotion and evocation. I understand more of the struggles that car designers face. For example, they must maintain the automaker's brand identity, and push the boundaries, and create a beautiful, new look that people connect with.
The first floor of the museum was dedicated to car design and the life (so far) of Giorgetto Giugiaro. He has worked for over 40 automakers and was awarded Car Designer of the Century in 1999. Even still, his portfolio reaches beyond cars, into camera, computer, furniture, even pasta design.
I read through a timeline of Giugiaro's significant projects and life events and noticed failures and flops scattered among his brilliant successes. When you produce and produce and produce and produce, you are bound to fail, just as you are also bound to succeed.
But Giugiaro showed remarkable faith in his failures. He salvaged many through persistence and patience. He showed his work to Nuccio Bertone when his bosses at Fiat didn't see potential, and he toned down his radical visions when Nikon and their consumers were not ready for such change yet.
Also, a fun tidbit: Check out the final listing under "America & Canada!"
Shout out to DAAP at the University of Cincinnati!
