Tuesday, November 5, 2013

POSTCARDS OF THE MEZZOGIORNO: A PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY OF SOUTHERN ITALY IN THE BARI AREA


A photo essay by Joseph M. Calisi, The International Transportation Photojournalist

Friday, December 13, 2013, 6:30 p.m. at the Italian American Museum in Little Italy (NYC)

On December 13, 2013, at 6:30 p.m., the Italian American Museum at 155 Mulberry Street (corner of Grand and Mulberry Streets) in Manhattan will host Postcards of the Mezzogiorno: A Photographic Essay of Southern Italy in the Bari Area. Joseph M. Calisi, The International Transportation Photojournalist, retraced places visited in his youth to capture the sun-splashed beauty of a region rarely seen by tourists. This photographic essay of Puglia, features the beauty of Southern Italy that extends beyond the cathedrals of Rome and the gondolas of Venice. Commentary will accompany the presentation as he explores how the subtle overlay of technology has been interwoven with the classic architecture that endures.
“Mezzogiorno” translated literally means ‘mid-day or noon’, and it is also used as to reference the Southern Italian region. Photographs of Bari, Mola di Bari, Alberobello, Cozze, Conversano, San Vito and Polignano in this presentation captures the magic of the towns including the traditional of the feast of St. Nicholas, held close in the hearts of the Baresi. In surrounding towns, century old homes and streets intermingle with modern palazzi, offering an insider’s perspective of the region.  Traditional ways of life such as area farms, old buildings and open markets are juxtaposed with modern electrical equipment such as solar cells. Historical landmarks meet modern amenities in a curious mix where the populous absorbs the benefits of modern lifestyle but retains older values. 
“Visiting Italy, retracing the steps of my youth, I still marvel at the architecture of the region, how many of the buildings and stores remained the same, yet technology appeared where I least expected it. A visit to the fish market for example showed one vendor using a scale with counterweights and another using an electronic scale. I looked to reconcile the memories I had of the streets, towns and markets and marveled at although much had changed; so much had stayed the same. I also enjoyed hearing the old dialect as I walked through the town. It was music to my ears,” says Joseph M. Calisi.
Joseph M. Calisi has been an International Transportation Photojournalist since 1993. He has contributed to the information world in print magazines and newspapers and electronic media TV reporter, radio broadcaster and as an expert in transportation systems around the world. 
To sample additional works you may visit his website at www.josephmcalisiphotography.com.
Postcards of the Mezzogiorno: A Photographic Essay of Southern Italy in the Bari Areawill be presented on December 13, 2013 at the Italian American Museum, corner of Grand and Mulberry Streets in Manhattan. The suggested donation is $10. To RSVP for this event, please call (212) 695-9000 or email the ItalianAmericanMuseum@gmail.com.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Review: Mass Transit & Trolley Modelers Convention at Rutgers University

Autumn is almost here which means it is time for the The New York City Model Transit Association annual model train show. The next day-long  rendition of this event is held at 9:30 am on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at:
Rutgers Student Center (next door to the previous gym location)
126 College Ave
New Brunswick, NJ 08901


During my previous visits to this show, different models of transit-type transportation were exhibited including subway cars that no longer exist such as BMT 'Bluebirds' on an operating layout. Vendors had all kinds of collectible items for sale ranging from photographs to books to videos to rail equipment (trolley cars, interurbans, subways, buses and their associated detail parts) in various scales mostly in O, HO and N gauges. The show isn't limited to models but vintage full-sized buses that can be described as a fleet from yesteryear will be in the parking lot.

For the serious scale modeler, model contests (scratch-built mostly) and lectures/clinics from prominent 

transit historians and modelers help give you those 'inside tips' that can make you models enterable in the aforementioned contests - heck, it will give you something to do over the winter months.

Admission is $20 (cash) with spouses and children are free. This isn't a show that generates personal wealth to the organizers but the net proceeds go to the Shore Line Trolley Museum which is still recovering from Hurricanes Irene and Sandy as that important historic venue suffered much damage in both storms.

I encourage you to come out and support this show as you can have a great time while learning about transportation history and how you can recreate it in your home.

For additional information, visit the organizer's website at: