On the Road with Art

ON THE ROAD WITH ART

This is one of the numerous projects carried on over recent years. Since 2009 he has known how to be two people in a single body.

Finding myself with an unknown entity, called Parkinson’s, I never gave up, as I explained when I was interviewed on 01/06/2012 for the magazine Metropoli by young free lancer Lorenzo Matucci, on the subject of Parkinson’s. An interview that you can directly request or also find on google. It was affixed on the notice board of the Neurology department of the Hospital of Prato where I was hospitalised for a month. I was convinced of being able to make as many people possible aware of the difficulties that every pathway may represent. And then in April 2015, I proposed “ON THE ROAD WITH ART” and in January 2016 it was taken to Pistoia. Other cities are also interested in making sure that this road continues. Today, with the works of the San Giusto Abbey here in Carmignano.. it is protecting a continuum of roads and century-old pathways, aware of bringing and living with you what our Abbey has experienced up until today… Love. This is the reason, even though exhausted, and it has arrived happily with the strength of the last cry, to reach all of us with His help. In such a way as not to interrupt this spiral of Love. I want to imagine forever.

I simply want to thank those who read this. All the friends I telephoned at the strangest times, apologising to everyone, and at this moment telling everyone “I love you”. Special thanks go to my friend Henry Walory. A friend I can call on any time I need, certain of finding his door always open.

Valentino Grassi

Henry Walory speaks about Valentino Grassi

DNA of a polyhedral Artist. In his family, his father Remo left works and creations in furniture and oil paintings. Way back in 1868, Valentino’s future great uncle was born, Brother Vittorino Grassi da Seano, a Franciscan Friar and affirmed organ composer and player, acclaimed and present in the Museum of Verna Sanctuary of Arezzo.  Over the years, Valentino has managed to get to know professional figures in the widest variety of fields, and to become their friend. Some of them have found their niche in the world of music. Professional masters setting up ongoing exhibitions to make as many people as possible aware of going down absolutely the most beautiful road, respecting each other and respecting everything that surrounds them. PROTECTING BEAUTY. A unique mirror in which all of us can see our reflection until even managing to see inside ourselves. In this way gaining strength and courage to continue along that beautiful road. And when it is necessary, finding more beauty… stopping and then off again and so on. The reason behind the decision to display the works of ON THE ROAD WITH ART during these last weeks of July in the Abbey, is to defend, safeguard, foster, assist, support, protect, disseminate, and share BEAUTY. In order to prevent DARKNESS from approaching, like the lack of culture, cold shadows, the dessert, emptiness, nothingness.. and a future that seeks and moves forwards.. represented by our CHILDREN, our tomorrow. The most beautiful and scented FLOWERS to put on display. In April 2011 he staged “WE ARE HUMANITY”. Taking a cue from a painting by his father Remo.  October 2011 Valentino decided to organise an event at the Scuderie Medicee (Medicean stables) of Poggio a Caiano, Prato, which he called “ENCOUNTER”, Parkinson’s disease in a confrontation with the territorial institutions and associations, by involving the reference association  “Noi e il Parkinson” (Parkinson’s and us) of Prato, where he has been a member of the executive council since 2011.

“ Encounter” was a great success due to its new and informal setup. An encounter, a pathway, a way of living together in society.  In 2012, a new aggregation event entitled “MUSIC – the most precious and sublime essence”. Once again on this occasion he called on his friend, Maestro Andrea Trovato. Also in the same year, “Movement and Entertainment” at the  Bargo, a historical park in the Medicean town of Poggio a Caiano, involving people with cultures differing from ours, in order to stir emotions and create experiences. In 2013, Valentino carried out “BALANCED WELLBEING” in the territory of Poggio a Caiano, once again something different than the usual events. A work group in “ACTIVE MOVEMENT” filled with culture and motor activities.

During the period of ON THE ROAD WITH ART, Valentino in his own volcanic way, imbued with the heat of the fire in his soul, finally saw one of his visions materialise, the idea even before being able to touch it, so many friends, some of whom awoken in the depth of night, in the mere desire of sharing something, the energy of the word LOVE. Not content just to take his artworks, he also decided that on 21 July at 7.00 pm, that once again after Holy Mass a concert would be held, appealing to all those whom, in that Church, had said they wanted to come back to hear it, and this is lasting and increasing confirmation, bringing with it those FLOWERS that will deliver their future. He called on two great contemporary musicians who agreed to his suggestion, Maestro MARCO COLONNA, baritone sax and clarinet in all its forms, and Maestro ANDREA MELANI, undisputed professional player of an instrument par excellence, the drums. We will be able to enjoy their two concerts. On 21 July at 9.15 pm, after Holy Mass. Marco will playing a solo on SACRED THEMES AND VARIATIONS ON EMOTIONS of the era. Instead, 24 July will be a magical evening on the breath-taking stage of the Fortress of Carmignano. The two Maestri will play very refined JAZZ melodies of unquestionable artistic and great lyrical value, in tune with our initial desire to always defend BEAUTY with LOVE. This evening will be entitled MAGICA ROCCA JAZZ OH YEASSS.

Henry Walory