A Miracle in the Istituto Svizzero

Sundays in Rome are unlike any other day. The local streets are silent and quaint. Some friends and I decided to take a trip downtown to look at some local shops. We got on the metro and actually got to take a comfortable seat. You see, usually the metro is so crowded that you are forced to stand unusually close to strangers. We were on the right track until we noticed that our stop was shut down. We got off at the next stop and were led astray by ole faithful google maps. Our surroundings were unfamiliar, but I like unfamiliar. One right turn and I noticed an enchanting estate on top of what seemed to be caves. Infront was a glowing neon sign that read "MIRACLE". Was this alternate route a miracle? Was I meant to come across this landmark? I walked in the grand gates that had a sign with an arrow. I assured my friends that it was alright to enter; we were not trespassing, there was an exhibit waiting to be seen.

Sylvie Fleury :: her technique consists of an initial portrayal of a characteristic form that is then enriched, enlarged, and further developed through the use of diverse media. Form, colour, and the graphic shaping of shoes, lipsticks, shopping carts, or fashion magazines become independent visual systems of representation in their own right, entering a new aesthetic scope.

By blurring the lines between art and fashion her intent is not to open up the realm of art to that of fashion, rather it’s to point out the difference between the two: one cannot have an aesthetic experience by looking at fashion. Objects, such as art, bring into play the intellect and, at the same time, invite us to reflect on what the cognitive process of understanding itself means.

My favorite installations were her collection of designer shoes that she's worn over the past 50 years to all of her art shows. The show was a breath of fresh air. It was modern and fun. It felt like it had been set up just for me to find. Although some may say its not fine art, I interpreted it as so. What a miracle!!