Bora. Incoming
Bora. Suddenly a strong cold wind whips up. I wasn’t prepared for it. Even though I had been warned. Earlier in the day I donned a sweater which had been too warm for the sirocco. Now I am cold. The cold settled in my soul. I went to Guidecca to the women’s prison with Not a normal outing. For the 1st time, the site is being used as @labiennale pavilion for the Vatican. The facade isn’t finished. It’s a painting of feet by Maurizio Cattelan. Our guide explains they are the most intimate part of the body. He is the artist who famously depicted the pope being killed by an asteroid. Now he is representing the Vatican in their art pavilion. A strange choice. Approx 80 women are incarcerated, some of whom take a role in the exhibition. Our guide is Julia. She has a tattoo with Guilty in English on her right arm. We are in the frescoed chapel in the entry of the prison and she is talking about Mary Magdalene. Phones were not allowed. Thus no photos.
Julia’s features are fine. A narrow nose, pierced. Another piercing through her brow. I find myself mesmerized. She is a poet and clearly exhausted, emotionally. We are the last tour of the day. She shares her experience as an inmate. There is a room full of California types on tour. One learns I do antiques and immediately asks me about placing her important Venini & dismisses me when I give my professional opinion which she disagreed with. We are ushered into a tiny room to watch a 12-minute short film shot in the prison directed by Zoe Saldaña & Marco Perego. There is a cameo by our guide Julia. The opening sequence is beautiful. A long shot throughout the city of Venice. Laura beside me starts weeping. Another lady on the bench is also crying, and I can’t help but notice she looks like our guide. Our guide never smiles but speaks calmly, though clearly, she is afraid of speaking to a group. When the tour is over the Guards come. Removing her from us, my heart pounds. She is taken away. I wonder what she has done. Why she is in prison. Before she goes she shows us 1 window. The only window in the prison without bars. The wind is whipping & howling blowing sideways making walking home next to impossible.
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