It is over

As we sit in Mercato Piazza to have some bubbly to celebrate the closure of the successful Exhibition, we are in a reflective mood.  It is late dusk, the lights are on, people are relaxing at the end of the day.  Surprisingly the music is South American so there is a carnival atmosphere.

 

It was 2^nd September that there was so much excitement.  The Exhibition was officially opened.  The Ambassador, Amanda Vanstone, came from Rome, the Consul General Tim Gauci came from Milan and the Agent General, John Dawson came from London.  There was an air anticipation which turned into surprise at the sight of something so different and then into on going appreciation of the works and admiration for putting the Exhibition together.  That opening night there were the speeches delivered twice, once in Italian and once in English and I captured it all on video.

 

No day of the Exhibition was the same.  Andrea conducted tours of the Exhibition several times a day, sharing her background knowledge of the artists and the stories portrayed in the paintings to enraptured audiences.

 

I stepped into my role of administration which involved a lot of spreadsheeting, communication which involved daily trips to the internet café to send and receive emails and update the blog sites with happenings and thirdly processing the sales.  There were the enforced 2.5 hour lunch hours when the Gallery was closed in keeping with Italian timetables.  Mostly we railed against them and worked on in the internet café, at home or sometimes in the restaurant.  Imagine sitting there over the strangozzi (pasta) with the laptop open.

 

With hindsight, a perfect combination of talents to keep the momentum of this great Exhibition going for four weeks and two days.

                                                                                   

And now it is over.

 

Thank you to the Italian people who came and were delighted and entranced by artworks from another age, another part of the world; to the Australians who came, some of whom who knew the work and gave encouragement; and the tourists from all over who had only compliments for the works.  Thank you to all who made it possible.