April 2012
MANAMA
CAPITAL
OF
ARAB
CULTURE
2012
CAPITAL
OF
ARAB
CULTURE
2012
Join artBahrain.org
Advertisement
Art Escape
April
Copyright © 2010, artBahrain.org. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes agreement with our Terms and Conditions.
Selected works from the
38th Annual Fine Arts Exhibition
38th Annual Fine Arts Exhibition
Headquarters of Fondazione Fiumara d'Arte, Catania
Roman Amphitheatre Across Fondazione Fiumara d'Arte
Gianfranco Molinoat the the Amenano, the underground river
The busy streets
of Catania
of Catania
Fontana de Elefante across the municipal
of Catania
of Catania
Acque dell’Amenano fountain
Fish market
Sicily has been noted to have a long history of cuisines and wines. During the evening, I was honored to have dinner and a taste of
Sicilian open-hearted generosity on the hotel penthouse‘s private balcony overlooking the azure Mediterranean- the residence of
Antonio Presti, founder of Fondazione Fiumara d'Arte and owner of Atelier sul mare. The ‘artfather’ had a lot of interesting stories.
From his father’s demise and his battle with the mafia and local government to his art projects that turned the once-upon-a- time
gangland to today’s artland. He is such a very amusing character, flamboyant but determined to achieve his dream of a Sicilian
paradise by encouraging the mothers to work alongside with their children in creative ways.
Fondazione Fiumara d'Arte - Catania
The next day we were enroute to Catania, the headquarters of Fondazione Fiumara d'Arte. There I met Gianfranco Molino, executive
producer of the foundation. We had an enjoyable dinner in one of the local restaurants serving Sicilian cuisine in the city’s Doumo. We
spoke of the projects as we strolled along the historical streets of Catania and ended at the Piazza Stesicoro's Roman amphitheater
right across Fiumara d'Arte’s residence where I was to retire for the night.
The bright Sicilian sun was up and the city was bustling so much in contrast with Castel di Tusa. Gianfranco took me to a quick tour of
the surrounding area. He took me to the Amenano, an amazing underground river that flows through the city; there are so many
marble sculptures all over the city. For example, the Fontana Acque dell’Amenano tucked in a narrow street and at the center of
Piazza Duomo stands the Fontana de Elefante right across the municipal of Catania. The city also exhibits the era of Baroque Sicily in
cathedrals, palaces and even the ordinary buildings.
Close encounter with the
Sicilian ‘artfather’
Photo essay by Modhir Ahmed