Ann Marinelli
Ann Marinelli was born in the USA. Being of Italian descent (her father and all of her grandparents were born in Italy) she had always had an urge to go to Italy, or “the old country”, as it was affectionately referred to by the Italian immigrants, to see and to experience life there. This curiosity to discover more about this far away land led her to “inventing” a way to get there. After having studied Interior Architecture and Furniture Design in the States, and constantly reading all of the Italian magazines available in the college library, she adventured an “internship” in a well-known Milanese architectural and design studio. This six-month “experience” turned into more than 30 years of life in Milan. What more can be said, there is something about Milan that “sticks to you”!
Dear Ann,
I have greatly enjoyed reading your blog, and love the fact that your visit to Milan has kept you there for decades. I am having a similar fate, except it is in the completely foreign Beijing. I first came to China as a Peace Corps volunteer and cannot seem to leave!
I am working for an Italian Design Magazine here, Case da Abitare. We are also launching a new ‘Creative Living’ series with the Travel Channel and will be filming in Milan from April 19th-May 1st 2009. We want to feature all of the ‘creative’ places in Milan, not just the well-known landmarks. It would be great to have some insider’s tip about the creative community there.
Would you be interested in being involved? We would love to have a short on-film interview with you, and perhaps you can introduce us to some of your favorite locations or creative friends. Please read the summary below and let me know if you are interested in joining us.
I cannot wait to see Milan!
Warm regards from a fellow expatriated American,
Alison
Case da Abitare’s new collaboration with the Travel Channel, ‘Creative Living’ is an innovative television series that blends travel and design. ‘Creative Living’ is designed to present Chinese audiences with examples of how design and creativity has enriched people’s lives around the world in a very entertaining, informative, and interactive way. Personally by Case da Abitare Editor-in-Chief and former host of Travelogue Yanling, this program will travel to 16 countries in 2009 to search and feature creative people, places, and projects from different fields of design and the creative industry. Each city will be featured in 4 or 5 thirty-minute episodes, which will emphasize design with the specific environment, individuals and society in mind. A blend of formal and casual, this programs highlights the best in local design by interviewing architects, designers, artists and locals, and even visiting favorite ‘creative’ clubs, cafes, and hotels to get a well-rounded sense of the unique culture of each destination.
‘Creative Living’ is in official contacts with the national tourism boards and airlines for each country, but also seeks to feature private personalities in the design and fashion scene. Produced by the Travel Channel, ‘Creative Living’ is the first prime time TV program in China on design and will reach a domestic audience of 350 million in 300 cities. The Travel Channel is widely recognized for its innovative program concepts which influence and tap into trends in China’s growing economic and sophisticated consumer markets. Its target audience composed of highly educated, urban viewers, raging from ages 18 to 45. Ranked second as “My Favorite Channel”, according to CTR Research, the Travel Channel specializes in news reporting, professional and educational programs, high quality dramas, and other creative and distinctive programming.
Comment by Alison Rae — April 7, 2009 @ 3:23 am |
Hi again Ann,
Sorry, I did not realize that would be a posted message! Feel free to erase it, and I will just reiterate here that your blog is really insightful, refreshing and an absolute pleasure to read. I feel like I have experienced some of Milan’s creative community already. Thank you. I hope that I will have the chance to meet you soon.
Warm regards,
Alison
Comment by Alison Rae — April 7, 2009 @ 3:28 am |
Hi Ann,
I have really enjoyed reading your blog. You have had such an amazing life since we were kids growing up. I so admire your adventurous spirit. Perhaps one day I will have the chance to visit abroad. I have always wanted to!
Always,
Carolyn
Comment by Carolyn — May 7, 2009 @ 4:41 am |