L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURS DAY,   MAY  16,   2013  PAGE  15 Huge crowd attends "Tour Around Italy" photo show in Washington and NY Continued from page 1 "It is a show that fully reflects the spirit of Italian culture - a tour, a trip, to allow Americans to discover Italy," Italian Ambassador to the United States Claudio Bisogniero told ANSA. The exhibit was conceived to help visitors "appreciate not only our extraordinary artistic tradition, but also the Italy of science and innovation," Bisogniero said. While the selection of over 100 shots by ANSA photographers taken over the years was crafted to speak to all, organizers paid special attention to Italian Americans and their heightened sensibility to intricate details layered in each shot. The illustrated trip across the peninsula is divided into six thematic sections: arts and culture, style fashion and design, food and wine, science and hi-tech, green and energy, and travel and leisure, with thoughtful testimonials accompanying the images. Not only will the country known for its superb cuisine and fashion sense be presented, but shots from the news agency's highly experienced photoreporters will also spotlight Italy's tech-savvy and industry-driven side. "While creative and artistic Italy still holds a hegemonic position in the public's eye, when it comes to design, smallmedium enterprise enjoys undisputed leadership," Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas said. Depictions of Italy on course towards a future promoting growth through innovative systems and especially products that are lesser-known abroad were chosen to give visitors an insight different from the usual historical and artistic circuits. A young and fierce generation of designers, engineers and trend-setters that represent the best of "Made in Italy" are depicted in photos like that of a child robot and his proverbial maker and glimmering rows of photovoltaic panels. "From the time of ancient Rome, Italy has traced the path as a teacher of art and culture and with its Renaissance view has shown the development of modern progress," Piedmont artist contemporary Michelangelo Pistoletto said. "This exhibit is a vehicle for the promotion of the country, 'Made in Italy' and Italian culture abroad," ICE President Riccardo Monti said. The project is sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Embassy in the United States, as well as Milan Expo 2015. "The exhibition is not a 'holograph' of Italy. Photos on display show Americans a different country, less known and less obvious," ANSA Chairman Giulio Anselmi said. The exhibition can also be visited virtually by iPad with a free Apple Store application, to be released in the coming days. Italy mourns Zig-zag knitwear maestro Ottavio Missoni Continued from page 1 He started out as a promising international athlete but his sporting career was interrupted when he was made a prisoner of war in World War II. After the war, he resumed competing in 400 meters and 400m hurdles. He also started designing wool tracksuits that were worn by the Italian team at the 1948 Olympics in London. He came in sixth at the 1948 Olympics and fourth at the European Championships in 1950 before marrying in 1953 his lifetime business partner Rosita Jelmini, the daughter of textile entrepreneurs from Lombardy. The same year they founded their eponymous brand, Missoni, which has evolved through the decades while remaining immediately recognizable for its famous zig-zag patterns. At first the couple worked from a small atelier in Gallarate, Milan. The big break came in 1958 when the Rinascente department store ordered the Missonis 500 striped dresses. "We were trying to work with colors, but with the machinery we had back then it was hard", Ottavio Missoni once told ANSA in an interview. So Tai and his wife researched new techniques to develop their unique patterns. The duo in 1969 built their factory and home in Sumirago, near Varese, where the family still lives and works. By the 1970s the Missonis were among the most prominent Italian fashion designers - their bold patterns, rich patchworks and unique color combinations a major success with unprecedented staying power. During that era Tai would use his famous expression "put Athlete-turned-designer Ottavio Missoni together" to describe to buyers from the booming US market the label's singular and innovative combinations of different pat- terns and colors. A number of international museums have honored with exhibits Missoni's original and unique creations throughout the years including New York's Metropolitan. As an authentic Italian brand, the company was taken over during the 90's by the Missoni's three children - Vittorio, Angela and Luca - and more recently by a number of grandchildren. "I've never done what was fashionable", Ottavio Missoni told WWD in one of his last interviews. "I paint my own way". He once wrote, when he became an honorary citizen of Trieste in 2008, that his iconic zig-zag pattern was a symbol of life. "You see, that's how life goes - with a zig-zag route". May 16, Thurs.-Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California General Meeting at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012). 7:00pm Dinner ($15 pp), 8:00pm Meeting. Please RSVP by Monday before meeting to: Maria Borgese (818) 846-5764, Palmie Crispie (818) 246-5749 or annpotenza@aol.com. May 17, Fri.- Santa Lucia Society Dinner Meeting 6:30 pm at Casa Italiana. Mass 6:00 pm St. Peter's Italian Church; Reservations: 323-257-2182. May 18, Sat.- OCAIW Meeting-11:00am Zito Grill (17320 17th Street, Tustin) $25.00 Program to be determined. Call Linda 714.812.4410. May 18, Sat.-Club Italia's Mother's Day Dinner Dance- Club Italia is celebrating Mother's Day at St. John Eudes Church in Chatsworth (corner of Lassen & Mason). We will be singing and dancing to the sounds of "The Sicilian Band". The fun starts at 6:30pm. Be sure to call Sigrid Ravizza (661) 2970507 or (818) 426-1489. May 18, Sat.-The Garibaldina Society "Il Ballo Per La Festa Della Mamma" (Mother's Day Ball). Cocktail Hour 6:00pm, Gourmet Italian Dinner 7:00pm. Dancing to The John De Luna Band. Dress Semi-Formal: Gentlemen: Coat & Tie, Ladies: "Party" Attire. Adults only please! Reservations are required and must be received no later than May 13, 2013. Members: $32, Guests: $37. For more information call Reservations Chairman Marie Mor (818) 249-9363. May 18, Sat.: Grandsons of Italy in America Meeting at Victorio's Ristorante, 10901 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, 11:30 a.m. For info call (805) 529-9726. May 18, Sat.-Italian Woman's Club- We will be celebrating our 90th Anniversary at the Castaway (1250 E. Harvard Rd., Burbank, CA, 818-848-6691) at 11:00 a.m. For information, please contact Rosa Di Masi Stevens (310) 339-9799. May 19, Sun.-The Global Theatre Project in partnership with Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Los Angeles and in collaboration with Fondazione Italia present: La Rana e il Suo Cocco: Performance (in Italian) and workshop on puppetry (both in English and Italian) conducted by Bernard Vandal and Alessandro Grisolini from TeatroLa' in Florence, Italy. 11 a.m. at IIC (1023 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024). The event is aimed at children ages 4-10 and is offered free to the public. For information call (310) 443-3250. Please RSVP to rsvp.iicla@esteri by May 16th. May 20, Mon.- ICF Branch #67 Dinner Meeting 6pm at Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, 90012). $15.00 per person. For reservations contact: Nick M. D'Egidio (President) (562) 947-2819, Guy Masciotra (Life Member Emeritus, Past President) (818) 848-1862, or Pat Mages (Recording Secretary) (805) 492-9658. May 22, Wed.-Abruzzesi & Molisani di California Dinner Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Villa Scalabrini. The cost of the dinner is $15.00. For reservations, please call Adelio Di Gregorio at (818) 985-0951 or Sam Petrilli at (818) 768-1956. May 23, Thurs.-The Garibaldina Society Pasta Platter Dinner Dance. The Garibaldina Society Women's Extension cordially invites you to the Pasta Platter Dinner Dance. Cocktails 4pm, Dinner 5pm sharp!, Dancing 6-8pm. Pasta dinner includes Salad, Pasta, Sausage, Glass of Wine & Dessert. Dancing. Dress Casual. $10 Members- $12 Guests. For reservations: Jean Giacomelli (626) 281-6639. June 1, Sat.-Families of Italian Lineage Bus Trip to the Festa di San Gennaro in San Diego. Cost of Bus $15.00, entrance fee to the Stadium $5.00. For information call (949) 3635348. June 1, Sat.: Grandsons of Italy in America Meeting at Victorio's Ristorante, 10901 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood, 11:30 a.m. For info call (805) 529-9726. June 2, Sun.-Santo Padre Pio Society- Rosario a San Padre Pio at St. Peter 's Italian Church (1039 N. Broadway, Los Angeles), 10:30 a.m. For information please call President Maria Bruno at (818) 241-4672. June 7, Fri.-, Federated Italo-Americans of Southern California celebrates the 67th Anniversary of The Republic of Italy and recognizes the leaders of our Italo-American Organizations. Casa Italiana (1051 N. Broadway, L.A. 90012). 6pm Cocktail Hour; 7pm Dinner; 8pm Ceremony; 9pm Music. $40 per person. Please RSVP by Friday, May 31 to Teresa thompson@dishmail.net or (323) 721-1673.

• Cover