Thursday, May 27 from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm EDT
Free to attend
In the Making: Paolo Brandolisio
Thursday, May 27 from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm EDT
Free event
In Venice Italy, the "fórcola" (in English, oarlock) is as much a critical part of the Venetian Gondola as it is a cultural symbol. Today there are only five remaining artisans who know how to hand-carve these pieces, made from a single piece of wood and customized to the type of boat and dimensions of the person rowing it. The "remèr" uses the 3 or 4 tools original to this very specific craft.
For centuries the tradition of making the fórcola has been orally passed down from teacher to student. Taught at age 15 by the legendary Giuseppe Carli' in the oldest workshop in existence to teach this skill, Paolo Brandolisio now owns that same shop-just one of four of its kind left in Venice.
From his workshop on a canal in Venice, we will speak with Paolo about the rich history and fragile future of this culturally- and functionally-specific object.
The program will be live streamed from Venice. Please be aware there may be some technical streaming delays and that to account for translation, this program may extend beyond our typical hour-long timing.
This conversation is part of In the Making, a new public programs series where we connect with a range of new voices, fields, and perspectives. Learn more about In the Making, and view a full list of participants, at the series homepage here.
