music

Patti Smith & “The infinite”

How to make sense of our world and recharge our spirit

Art helps us make sense of the world. It is beauty, in essence. So, we search for it in any form. Patti Smith & “The Infinite” is one of those forms.

You know life is unpredictable. You make your plans, but life makes its own. And so, because of covid, on the 1st of August, we had to miss Patti Smith’s concert in Milano. 

Her music and poetry are a potent blend. And we are sure her performance would have been so beneficial for our souls.

Also, we really appreciate how she redefined the role of female representation in rock music. Indeed, her androgynous outfits are a big inspiration in fashion. Mannish white shirt and blazer, loose necktie, never pretty but pure coolness. Her style is so iconic that she has created a unique aesthetic. 

By the way, as a homage to Italy in Pompei, Rome and Milan, Patti Smith recited the poem: “The infinite” – by Giacomo Leopardi.

Patti Smith reading Giacomo Leopardi

This is the poem in Italian, but you can listen to the English version directly from Patti Smith’s voice – here

L’infinito

«Sempre caro mi fu quest’ermo colle,
e questa siepe, che da tanta parte
dell’ultimo orizzonte il guardo esclude.
Ma sedendo e mirando, interminati
spazi di là da quella, e sovrumani
silenzi, e profondissima quiete
io nel pensier mi fingo, ove per poco
il cor non si spaura. E come il vento
odo stormir tra queste piante, io quello
infinito silenzio a questa voce
vo comparando: e mi sovvien l’eterno,
e le morte stagioni, e la presente
e viva, e il suon di lei. Così tra questa
immensità s’annega il pensier mio:
e il naufragar m’è dolce in questo mare.»

Art, music, and poetry reflect a certain mindset and a specific style. Most importantly, they bring in the beauty we need to make sense of our world. And the peace of mind to get by with life.

In the end, art, music, and poetry are beauty. 
Beauty that heals our souls. 

Hope “L’infinito” will recharge your spirit!

Fashion & music

Fashion is not only what we wear. Fashion involves the environment around us. Fashion is the music we listen to as well.

Indeed, there is a clear parallel between fashion and music. Both have developed precisely the same pattern.

What kind of music do we listen to nowadays? Which one is popular?
DJs are sampling pieces from the 70s, 80s or 90s, remixing them, then the singer of the moment gives the voice. And, here it is, the modern creative effort.
Usually, this music is popular for a few months. Perhaps none will remember a single track one year later.

Of course, there are always exceptions. Take, for instance, “Walk this way” by Run DMC. Well, as we said, there are exceptions.

What kind of fashion do we see now?

DJs are the new fashion designers. They take designs from the past and apply logos all over, following the above remix pattern.
Design skills are not needed anymore.

Some time ago, a TV show celebrated Fabrizio De André, the great poet-musician. And they interviewed his wife, Dori Ghezzi.
Singers who recently won the Sanremo Festival went on air in a clip, guys dressed up to promote fashion brands more than music but acclaimed as geniuses.
Afterwards, they asked her: “What do you think?”
She replied: “At the time of my husband there was a lot of space, we have experimented a lot, and done a lot. Now maybe these guys don’t have much left. They are scrambling.”

Ads disguised as entertainment – this is how they call it marketing gurus, indeed.

The sampling of things already seen, stealing other people’s ideas that pass for absolute novelties. It is the sign of our times. And in both fields, fashion and music, it is marketing, not art.

But in the end, we do not have to accept it or fit in. We have the freedom to differ, to think differently.