Festa Veneziana a Ca'toga: The Imaginative World of a Venetian Artist in Napa Valley (Hardcover)

by Carlo Marchiori (Author) "I think of the Past and the Future as two mirrors, between which I stand, precariously balanced on Now . . . an ephemeral state..." (more)
Key Phrases: The Carnival

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Under silvery moonlight, the Doric temple in Carlo Marchiori'¬?s garden looks as if it were hewn from Carrara marble. Fluted columns pose heroically on a romantically crumbling foundation. Soaring above are elaborate friezes and fragments of traditional entablature. There'¬?s even a broken pediment. All that'¬?s missing is the oracle. Mr. Marchiori . . . offers up an instant classical education in his villa and garden. His five-acre domain, which he calls Ca'¬?Toga, sits on the banks of the Napa River in the rocky northern reaches of the Napa Valley. Passers-by can glimpse the richly colored villa across a vineyard." -New York Times

Product Description
In the serene Northern California town of Calistoga, a splendid villa is fronted by stately wrought-iron gates and a small sign reading “Carlo Marchiori, Maestro d’Arte.” Ca’toga, as the Palladian-style villa is named, is the home and workshop of Carlo Marchiori, a world-renowned Venice-born artist. In FESTA VENEZIANA A CA’TOGA, Marchiori serves as tour guide, leading us room by room through this live portfolio, providing deeply personal and mysterious explanations for the wonders that abound in his gallery-like residence. Sixteenth century–style frescoes hang in the main salon, hand-painted stone floors accent the library, and antler and bone sculptures embellish the Native American room. Roman ruins, Thai temples, a seashell-encrusted grotto, and an open-air theater sit in archaic splendor on this dreamscape-turned-landscape. A spontaneous and creative expression of his life and work, Ca’toga is Marchiori’s artistic utopia—a work in progress that is a brilliant spectacle to behold.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press; illustrated edition edition (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580084028
• ISBN-13: 978-1580084024
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #873,001 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The magical fantasy of Carlo, Maestro d'Artes, July 29, 2002

By	Kathryn Masson (The Plains, VA USA) - See all my reviews

What a joyous occasion it becomes to whirl through the new book on Venetian-born Carlo Marchiori, a master of many arts, who now lives and works in Calistoga, Ca., the northern-most town in Napa Valley. The book not only presents his life and work in a colorful, well-photographed journal, but it has the magical touch of Carlo's own imagination for the styling of the photographs, layout, and storyline. Now his mastery of arts includes book design as well as painting, drawing, sculpture, construction, architecture, and costume design!

A self-proclaimed great illusionist, he nontheless informs us of the historical references in his art while capturing our imaginations on an illustrated magical journey back through time. The book is storybook, history, and journal, all rolled into one, and written with Carlo's great sense of humor and gusto for life. From the moment you turn the first page, you are captured by Renaissance man Marchiori's presentation, all colorful, fun, and fantastic. It is a delightful glimpse into his most beautiful imaginings, and they are bountiful. You laugh, smile, ooooo, and ahhhhh, and see life above the mundane, as does Carlo!

It is interesting to note that he allows tours of his home, and has a shop and artist studio in Calistoga, where various pieces of his art are sold. These are extraordinary experiences not to be missed while in Napa Valley.

5.0 out of 5 stars Visual Feast, September 18, 2008

By	P. Scibilia "rococo artist" (Savannah,Ga.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is filled with beautiful photograhs of a very imaginative visual artist. If one cannot find insperation in this publication, they need to have their eyes checked!!!!!

4.0 out of 5 stars an inspiring life to which i aspire, September 6, 2007

By	Lynne Rutter "ornamentalist" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

carlo lives the artist's life surrounded by a world of his own creation, and shows us that it is our mission to create and spread beauty in this world, with our skill, and our hopes and dreams. plus, it looks like he knows how to throw a good party. bravo maestro!