That’s fashion – one may say

It’s about D&G new controversial campaign. A man holds a woman to the ground by her wrists while a group of men look on. Following complaints from Spanish consumers’ groups, the Italian stylists decided to withdraw it. Well, the Italian duo commented: "What has an artistic photo got to do with a real act? […] You would have to burn museums like the Louvre or the paintings of Caravaggio."
Probably, according to D&G, Spain is becoming a Medieval Country, with no freedom of expression, where women dress like post-modern Queen Elisabeth Tudor (even her hands covered by gloves), but nobody ever told us. Things are a bit different and more complicated. The message expressed through the advertising is quite violent. There’s a man who – probably – aims to rape a woman under other people’s eyes…maybe this description is a bit brutal, but that’s what I saw…moreover, I’d like to say fashion is nothing but fashion, it’s art, glamour and nothing else. But it’s more complicated. Our society – it’s plain to see – depends on communication. The so called information era. I know which dress to buy, which smartphone. Which book to read, movie to see. I know this kind of society allows me to express my ideas. As well as I know D&G are teasers - some of their clothes are innovative and in early nineties they reached success designing costumes for Madonna’s Girlie Show. But there are responsibilities that cannot be dismissed. It’s more than a simple matter of good taste. It’s about a social violence that isn’t worth to be displayed over enormous placards. That’s all.
Ciao Ciao

Madonna for president

"I want to be like Gandhi and Martin Luther King and John Lennon — but I want to stay alive."
Madonna
I hope she aims to do even better (it's a bit tough...) but that confirms my idea she's planning to start a political career...

First gentleman’s apologies

After Hilary Rodham Clinton presented her candidature in the primary democratic elections, Veronica Lario - Berlusconi’s firstlady – few weeks ago asked publicly her husband’s apologies: he flirts too much with women. That’s firstladies’ revenge!
After her husband took an onemanshow during a party, Veronica wrote a letter to La Repubblica, an Italian newspaper – famous for its attacks to Mr. Berlusconi. The content of the letter was a kind of backward step for women’s dignity (acknowledged after decades of feminists’ fights!).
Just imagine: the poor firstlady – all alone in their big house in Macherio (near Milan) – waiting for her man to come back after an all-night-party (he went there just for business and political reasons!), dressed in a dark silk night-gown, moving up and down, back and forth, singing like Madonna “time goes by so slowly… I'm fed up I'm tired of waiting on you”, drinking whisky, smoking red Marlboros and waitin’.
That’s pop I guess! A firstlady. The wife of one the most powerful men in Italy (maybe in the world), acting like a pretty housewife (desperate as well!), wrote a letter expressing her disappointment, but - at least - her desperation and loneliness.
In the US, Hilary is planning to take her husband’s former place, in Italy…well, Veronica Lario (once an actress!) is playing one of the greatest character she has ever played: the desperate housewife, seeking her beloved husband’s apologies and – thus – defending her dignity.
I love my country!
Ciao ciao

First, it was in Rome – now it’s on my iPod

Few weeks ago, finally I bought The Confession Tour – DVD and CD. It’s amazing. I saw her show in Rome. The Olympic Stadium exploded, for 2 hours it was transformed into a mega dancefloor. And now – after 6 months – I can see it again! In Italy, the Catholic Church didn’t welcome her – as it was supposed to be. She was strongly criticized for singing “live to tell” on a crucifix with a crown of thorns. Like a modern Jesus Christ she was crucified, while denouncing the many deaths caused by AIDS in poor African countries (about 12 million orphans). Marketing, you can reply. Maybe yes. But it was exiting and astonishing. We shivered. And – in my opinion –if we thought about African children even for a second, her communication was successful – not only in terms of marketing. Other images were shown through the big staged screens. People like Berlusconi (auch!), Blair, Bush, Mrs Rice, Saddam Hussain, Gheddafi, and Mr Osama were all together displayed in double-time frames overlapping one another. Dancers, parcour athletes, breakers, lights, videos, great choreographies. Music. Stuart Price, a genius. Her voice (post edited and re-managed) is – at least – much more sexy when she speaks then when she sings. But is sexy. Dressed like Toni Manero. Moving like a smart John Travolta. Even better (almost 50…dancing like a girlie pin up…but charming as an experienced mistress!) That’s entertainment, I thought! That’s art! Maybe my point of view is too biased. But I’m sure gay communities wouldn’t be so visible without her. Besides, she holds power, as a women, never leaving behind her femininity. And never assuming male clichés. But whatever we could say about her is that she’s undoubtedly a genius!

Bye bye!

From Italy to the US

Few days ago, I was reading the International Herald Tribune.
Just one of the many articles about the 2008 Election.
Just one of the many ways to express how US politics are managing their campaign.
A line impressed me so much: “the candidate who can become president in 2008 will be someone who has not become so elastic or doctrinate during the primaries’ long march that he or she can’t win the election”
The word “she” impressed me so much and made me feel envious...
it's about a woman who's trying to become president.

First

With this blog, I'd like to describe how life is in Italy...from my point of view, of course!
I don't have time...but I'd like to show the way we live here in Europe...well, in a particular region of Europe (we're even closer to Middle East than Middle East itself!), where Pacs (here called DiCo), gay union, and ethical issues like euthanasia (or mercy killing) are still banned by the Roman church (the real political power in Italy…)
Besides, since my soul is deeply pop thinking and pop feeling, I'm going to write soon about "softer" issues...like music, fashion (that's Italian style, isn't it?) and other stuffs...
I hope this new venture will make the internet a better place!!!