A Few of OTTAVIO'S ARTWORKS.
Acuni dei miei Lavori Artistici.
I have always been in love with art, making things with my hands, especially making a painting, a drawing, a sculture, or simply capturing an image with my camera. Art, for me, has always been a chance, an opportunity, to express my emotions (feelings) and thoughts (ideas). It is also a fun and a suspended time, that makes me feel as I'm in another dimension. Art is an occasion that allows me to show reality, and hence motivate (me and others), to do something good and/or positive. All of these actions, in addition to the simple the act of holding a brush in my hands while painting- is a fun and rewarding experience, one that motivate me and  move/inspire me. It is an experience that transcends (goes over) reality- it feels as if I am in a different dimension (place) when I am making art. A dimension where I find my real self, a peaceful place, one where I often I feel closer to God, who is, after all the true Creator... the first Artist!
In this collection I present some works that I did as a young man, in my mid 20s, in the 1980s, except for a few others (the Doves in Space) and the photograph of the pink rose- they were accomplished recently (not too long ago).
In this post (article, essay) I also provide (give) explanations only for three pieces, numbers 7, 9 and 10, because these three have a special meaning and/or message. The rest of the art works shown here are simple and clear- there's no need of explanations- they're evident- our eyes can do that- figure out the meanings and/or purpose! 

 Image below: Me next to a mural, that I painted, next to my hose entrance, on 43rd Street in Astoria, a borogh of Queens in NY City. Circa 1981-82.

 

Sono sempre stato innamorato dell'arte, nel creare cose con le mie mani, e in particolare dipingere un quadro, fare un disegno, o semplicemente catturare un'immagine con la mia macchina fotografica- una cosa che facevo spesso.
L'arte, per me, è una possibilità, la possibilità di esprimere le mie emozioni, i miei sentimenti, pensieri e idee. L'arte e' un'attivita' divertente, che mi sospende nel tempo, mi fa' sentire di essere in un'altra dimensione. L'arte e' anche l'occasione che mi permette di mostrare la realta', e quindi motivare (sia me che gli altri) a fare qualcosa di buono e di positivo. Tutte questi azioni "d'arte"-  anche il semplice atto di mettermi un pennello tra le mani per pitturare- sino un'esperienza divertente e gratificante, che mi motivano e m'ispirano a fare e creare.
E 'un'esperienza che trascende (va oltre) la realtà- mi fa' sentire come se fossi in una dimensione diversa, in un'altro posto. Mi fa' sentire in una dimensione dove trovo me stesso, in un luogo di pace, quello in cui spesso mi sento più vicino a Dio- che è dopo tutto, il vero creatore ... il Primo Artista! 

In questa collezione vi presento alcuni lavori che ho fatto da giovane, da 20enne, negli anni 80- eccetto  il dipinto "Colombe nello Spazio" e la fotografia della rosa- questi invece sono lavori recenti.
Qui forniscio spiegazioni solo per tre lavori (numeri 7, 9 e 10), perche' perché questi tre hanno un significato e un messaggio speciale. Il resto dei lavori in questa collezione sono semplici, il loro significato, e evidente, e non hanno bisogno di spiegazioni- bastano i nostri occhi e le nostre emozioni per capirli!

  

1. Torretta. (the town where I was born and grew up, near Palermo, Sicily). Oil on canvas.
Torretta. Olio su tela.

 2. Spring in the Sky. Tempera colors on paper. 

 3. Opening day at my personal art exhibit at the Shreveport Library, in Shreveport Louisiana. 

Circa 1983.

Giorno dell'apertura della mia mostra personale a Shreveport, stato della Luisiana. 

4. A rose from the Central Park garden, in Schenectady NY.

Below, two pen and ink illustrations on paper, #5-6, Halloween.
Illustrazioni fatti a penna.

5.

 

6.  

  

7. The Man and the Machine. Oil on canvas.
L'uomo e la Macchina. Olio su tela.

This piece shows you the mind/imagination,  the innocence and simplicity (of thought), or better yet the naiveté of a teenager. 
I did this painting in June of 1976, my last year of high school in art class. I was living in New York City at the time, and I was concerned about violence and war.  
Let me explain the symbols. The human shadow, represents humanity (mankind, all the people on earth) which is trying to reach (grab, catch) for the weapons that the robot is carrying away from the shadow (humanity). The robot is carrying two weapons, a nightstick (a police bat) and a machine gun. The shadow (humanity) is trying to reach for them so that he/she can have power to manipulate, intimidate, destroy/kill and control. 

Q1. What do you think I tried to say in this piece? What do you think is the meaning of this image? 
Let me give you  several choices;

  

Q2. Do you think that the artist intent (intention/purpose/reason) in this painting, The man and the Machine, shows hope/peace for mankind? Or Do you think that it shows war, violence, hopelessness and despair instead?

A. Yes, this art work shows (represents, means) that humanity has still some hope since (because) the robot is taking away the weapons.

B. No, it shows (represents, means) that humanity has no hope, since (because) it is always trying to stick to war/violence, because the shadow (humanity) is reaching for the weapons. 

Q3. Do you think that technology (machines, computers, etc.) can save humanity from his stupidity?  By his stupidity I mean humanity's willingness to resort (use) of war, violence, greed,  lust for power and neglect of history. neglecting history means not considering and/or learning from the lessons/mistakes of the past, and thinking that history isn't important- that it has nothing to offer us.

8. New York's Central Park. Oil on canvas board.

9. Flowers for Jesus. Acrylics on canvas. Below, details.

This painting shows my appreciation/gratitude for what Jesus did for me, a poor sinner. He gave His life for me, for you, and for all of us. The Coke can and the 3 daisies are what I offer from the heart- that's what I could offer, what I had at that time. Yes, I like coke! But I do not abuse it! The inscription (writing) on the tile, under the coke can says: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life."

Let me explain the symbols.  The cross represents Jesus and His sacrifice. The 12 yellow/light balls emanating (coming out)  from the cross are the 12 apostles, Jesus' followers, his friends (during his ministry/mission that lasted 3 years and concluded with His death and resurrection). The coke can and flowers are my offering, my way of saying Thank you to Jesus, for his love for us. The lights traveling in space (or the sky) is my exuberance, my happiness/feelings toward God.

10. Pollution. Or Nature Crucified. Oil and collage on canvas.

I also accomplished (made, did) this collage painting in 1976, my last year in high school. At that time I was reading about ecological (environmental) problems in the Italian press. At that time I was not yet fully fluent in English because I had come from Italy, two years earlier, in 1974. This painting used to have a frame made of empty soda cans, to represent the excessive amount of garbage that we, our society produces. However, I took them off (the soda cans) later on because it was cumbersome, too hard to transport and some cans got lose too.
What do the symbols represent? The cut-out newspaper articles pasted on it talk about pollution problems. The meaning of the dead tree on the cross is evident (clear); mankind is crucifying nature, we are killing our environment; with our pollution, which is represented by most images on this work; the pieces of newspapers glued on it, the smokestacks (chimneys, the 3 big tubes/pipes on the factory's roof) that spew (spit out) poisons (unhealthy smoke) into the air, the soda cans (not seen here- because i took them off earlier), and finally the tree on the cross, which for me, as a Christian represents Christ's ultimate sacrifice (giving up his life for sinners, all of us). So my point/question/purpose/reason in this work is this;

WILL WE CRUCIFY NATURE? OR WILL WE HELP/RESCUE/SAVETHE ENVIRONMENT from our neglect, greed and stupidity? 
I believe that there is time left to amend (fix) our mistakes, and we apply (do) now THESE THINGS;
1. Do not throw trash everywhere! Instead put it in recycling bins/boxes!
2. Respect the environment, your neighbors and their property!
3. Implement (do, follow, apply) the 4Rs (recycling, reducing make less waste, re-use over and over and then recycle it! And finally refuse; say no to use-only-plastic, like bags, cups/lids, dishware, straws, bottles, etc). The 4Rs are basically a way of reducing our carbon footprint (the amount of pollution we create, or C02) or using less energy and/or products that pollute and/or harm/poison the earth and our bodies.
4. Not use pollutants (chemicals, garbage, poison,  and non-degradable (not destructible) products, such as plastics. 
5. Dry your clothes in the sun, instead of running the drier for hours. 
6. Turn water, lights and appliances off when not needed. We should educate and teach our children by modeling good example so they will be prone to respect the environment. We should use clean energy (solar and wind). And finally...
7. Let’s put more effort and be more serious about climate change. Let’s tell our government to take stronger/meaningful/effective actions at the next environmental global conference.

11. Seven Doves in Space. Acrylics on canvas.

12. Two Swans. Acrylics on canvas.

13. Eight Doves in Space. Acrylics on canvas.

Rights reserved by the author, Ottavio Lo Piccolo..

THE IDENTICAL. Another wonderful movie for the whole family. The story of a young man who wants to pursue his dream; become a singer.
but his father's dream for him is very different than his. It's Rated PG. Find it at your local library, or on rent it on Red Box, or may find it for free on the internet. 

This is the story of a young man, the adopted son of a preacher. The young man was born to a couple who had to give him up because they couldn't feed him. The young man was the twin brother who were both born during the 30', the Great Depression. The adopted father had a dream for him, but the young man had another. Great story. you and your family will love it. It's rated PG. You can get it at your local library or at the Red Box. Enjoy it!

SCIENCE, THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE, AND GOD. SEVERAL FACTS that PROVE GOD'S EXISTENCE. 1st Part.
La SCIENZA, L'ORIGINE dell'UNIVERSO E di DIO. Alcuni FATTI CHE PROVANO L'ESISTENZA DI DIO. Prima Parte.

I am very curious. At the beginning of the year I was searching for something/someone to answer my scientific questions  about God and the creation of the universe. I have read the Bible, but was still looking for scientific explanations, on measurable/quantifiable facts. Things that i can measure and count, in other words, things that I can possibly see, touch, see and understand. Well, this year, I found those answers. I listened to two CDs (shown at the bottom of this blog), by scientist and catholic priest father (fr.) Robert Spitzer. I must say that I did not regret listening to him. In fact, I found his explanations very convincing and  interesting because he explains science in simple, comprehensible/understandable) ways. 
I encourage anyone, who is looking for scientific answers to God and the creation, to listen to this very smart and knowledgeable man. He is not only knowledgeable in the scientific field, but also in physics, philosophy, and of course in theology (the study of God/spirituality).
Italian:
Sono stato sempre un tipo curioso, ho sempre avuto voglia di saperne di piu', specialmente sulla creazione dell'universo, sulla natura di Dio, sulla spiritualita', ecc. Ma volevo saperne di piu' anche dal punto di vista scientifico. E cosi ho trovato alcune risposte in un CD di padre Robert Spitzer, un prete  ma anche uno scienziato con laurea in PHD. Padre Spitzer occupa di teorie e fatti sulla creazione dell'universo e l'esistenza di Dio, e li spiega da due distinti punti di vista; quello teologico (religioso e spirituale), logico (con la logica) e filosofico (dalla filosofia). 

I want to stress two very important points from father (Fr.) Spritzer's talks, are stuck in my mind, hence I remember them very well. Here they are.
Vogli farvi notare due punti salienti nel discorso di padre Robert Spritzer. Eccoli in basso.
 a.  Science and religion complement each other, meaning they can exist together, they do make sense, hence (so) they can be used to study to understand our life/existence, the universe and of course God.

b. the Bible is not science, but it is instead a set of spiritual concepts (ideas), facts and concepts. So do not try to use the Bible to understand and/or figure out physical concepts (e.g., for example the concept of time, space, etc.). The Bible can help us better in understanding the spiritual (God and religious ideas, facts, etc.)  
 a. La scienza e la religione si completano a vicenda, nel senso che possono esistere insieme, e questa fa senso,e' una cosa logica, quindi tutti e due, la scienza e la religione, possono essere usate per studiare e per capire la nostra vita, la nostra esistenza, l'universo e, naturalmente anche Dio.

b. la Bibbia non è scienza, ma è invece un insieme di concetti spirituali (idee che hanno a che fare con lo spirito, e con Dio), ma anche fatti e concetti. Quindi non dobbiamo cercare di usare la Bibbia per capire i concetti fisici (ad esempio, il concetto del tempo, dello spazio, ecc.). La Bibbia può solamente aiutarci a capire meglio le cose dello spirito (ovvero; Dio, le idee religiose, i fatti contenuti nella Bibbia, ecc.)

c.  The Big Band, the explosion that caused the creation of the universe, has been proven by scientists, to have actually taken place.

c. L'esplosione del Big Band ha causato la creazione dell'universo,  è stata dimostrata dagli scienziati, quindi è effettivamente avvenuta.

e. Father Spitzer tells us that many scientists believe that God did, in fact, create the universe and our planet. However, there are other scientists who do not believe in creation, and  according to them (the ones who do not believe in God and creation); human beings, all animals and nature (plants, air, gases, water, soil, fire, etc.) were created by a single (one) accident; one that happened by a chance, an event which took place millions of years ago, and it was an unimaginable freak (crazy, unbelievable)- a huge explosion, that's why we call it the Big Bang!
However, Fr. Spitzer doesn't buy it (doesn't believe in it). As a matter of fact, he compares this thought, the Big Bang theory/idea, in other words the creation of our planet, the universe and everything in it,- to a disassembled Boeing 747 (a big jetliner, airplane), which was assembled (put together) by a storm passing through our backyard!
How can this be possible? It can't be! A tornado/hurricane/storm can't put together an airplane! It's inconceivable (unthinkable, not possible). How can the chaos of the Big Bang produce (make, create) our planet and the universe!
How can chaos create a world that has physical laws (like gravity) harmony and beauty? With everything working together harmoniously! How can a big explosion in the universe make the stars, and our beautiful the planet?
So, Fr. Spitzer concludes by saying that there is only one logical explanation; the universe was created by an intelligent creator, meaning by God. That is the only plausible (logical) explanation. And this explanation/reasoning it make sense to me.

 d. Padre Spitzer dice che molti scienziati, e tante altre persone, credono che Dio abbia creato l'universo e il nostro pianeta. Ma ci sono altri scienziati atei (non credenti) che non accettano/credono alla creazione di Dio. Infatti, secondo loro, noi (tutti gli esseri umani), tutti gli animali e la natura (piante, aria, gas, acqua, suolo, fuoco, ecc.), siamo stati creati da un singolo (unico) incidente, non da Dio. Ovvero noi siamo qui per caso! Per un evento casual accaduto milioni di anni fa' fu' un mostro di esplosione, chiamato appunto il Big Bang!
Ma lui, padre Spitzer non lo non crede in questa teoria (pensiero, o idea). Infatti lui ha paragonato il Big Bang, a una tempesta che spazza  la nostra propieta' che assembla tutti i pezzi disparsi (non assemblati) di un grande jetliner, di un'aeroe di linea, come il Boeng 747! Come può essere possibile che una tempesta (o come un'esplosione grandissima e potentissima) come il Big Bang possa assemblare un'aereo?? Non può essere! Un tornado o un'uragano non può mai montare un aeroplano! È inconcepibile! Impensabile, impossibile!
Come può il caos creare un mondo che ha un'armonia di leggi fisiche (come la gravità, l'armonia di tutte le parti del creato) e da dove viene la bellezza? Come può una grande esplosione nell'universo creare le stelle e il nostro bellissimo pianeta? Quindi, padre Spitzer conclude dicendo che esiste solo una spiegazione logica; l'universo è stato creato da un creatore intelligente, il che significa da Dio. Questa è l'unica spiegazione plausibile (logica). Io sono d'accordo, l'universo non e' un puro caso, creato dal caos, ma creato da un'essere infinitamente intelligente e affettuoso. Questa e' l'unica cosa che fa' senso per me.

e. The universe has definite beginning, a time in which it came about, a time when it was born. This fact has also been proven by scientists. So, the next question is: What was before the universe? What exactly existed before the Big bang? Nothing? Void (empty space)?  And if there was nothing (or void), who put the big mass there and allowed it to explode? The only plausible, logical explanation again is an intelligent being, or God.

e. L'universo ha avuto un'inizio definito, un tempo in cui è nato. Questo fatto è stato dimostrato anche dagli scienziati. Quindi, la prossima domanda da farsi è: Cosa c'era prima dell'universo? Cosa esisteva esattamente prima del Big Bang? Niente? Vuoto? E se non c'era nulla (o se c'era solo il vuoto), chi ha messo la grande massa lì e gli ha permesso di esplodere? L'unica spiegazione logica plausibile è di nuovo un essere intelligente, o Dio.

f. God is not constrained (limited) by time because He (God) lives outside of time and therefore is not controlled by it, the time laps that controls our lives. 

g. And finally, we, humans have e limited intelligence, in other words, we cannot understand/comprehend all there is= all that exists in the universe because we are finite, and God, on the other hand is infinite, He has no beginning and no end. As all believers do believe; God is almighty, all powerful all merciful all understanding. In conclusion God is love, and it is His love that binds (keeps together, glues) the universe, and without Him it could not exist.

f. Dio non è limitato (o condizionato) dal tempo perché Lui (Dio) vive al di fuori del tempo e quindi non è controllato da esso, i tempi che controllano le nostre vite.


 g. E infine, bisogna capire che noi umani abbiamo un'intelligenza limitata, in altre parole, non possiamo capire, ne  comprendere tutto ciò che c'è- tutto ciò che esiste nell'universo perché siamo esseri finite (limitati), e Dio invece è infinito, Egli non ha né inizio né senza fine. Come credono tutti i credenti; Dio è onnipotente, tutto potente tutto misericordioso, tutto capisce. In conclusione Dio è amore, ed è il suo amore che lega (tiene unito, incolla) l'universo, e senza di Lui non potrebbe esistere.

These are the points I remember of father's Spitzer's talk. But don't take my word for it. Investigate it yourself, find by yourself about this topic. I'm sure that you too can find proof on the creation of the universe, which will be based on science, logic and faith. At a later date, I will provide additional (more) details, images, and  other important points (ideas, facts).  

Questi sono i punti principali che ricordo del discorso di padre Spitzer. Ma se non vi fidate della mia versione- indagate voi stessi, su quest'argomento; e sono certo che anche voi troverete prove sulla creazione dell'universo basata sulle prove scientifiche, sulla logica e sulla fede. Non appena mi sara' possibile in futuro, fornirò ulteriori informazioni (su questo tema), con altri dettagli, immagini e altri punti, idee e fatti importanti.

Potrete aquistare i CD di padre Sptizer per telefono o via internet. Ma I suoi discorsi sono in Inglese- non so se sono stati tradotti in italiano, o altre lingue.
You can purchase the two DVDs by fr. Spitzer by calling/Tel. 866-526-2151
or email: CDClubinfo@LighthouseCatholicMedia.org

I purchased mine for $3 each, at Saint John the Evangelist Church, on Union Street, in Schenectady, NY.

 

Io ho acquistato I miei nella parrocchia di San Giovanni L'evangelista, a Sch'dy, NY

 

MANDATORY LABELING of GMO SHOULD BE A RIGHT. Protecting the health of its citizens is one of the duties of civilized & democratic governments! Let's demand it!

There are probably few people who could point out which foods in the grocery store have been produced with genetically modified organisms. Yet according to the latest polls, nearly everyone--more than 90 percent--of people believe they should have the right to know if their food contains GMOs. That means the majority of Americans support laws that require the mandatory labeling of GMOs.

In July 2016, Vermont will become the first state to enforce a GMO labeling law. Connecticut and Maine have passed laws that will take effect when other states have joined them. Bills for mandatory GMO labels are being considered in 18 states this year: Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

This is democracy in action, addressing the demand of nine out of 10 voters.

 

 

Unfortunately, companies like Monsanto that manufacture GMO seeds and related pesticides don’t like the democratic process and are attempting to shut it down with a bill in Congress that would take away states; rights to label GMOs. The bill H.R. 1599, known by opponents as the DARK Act; Deny Americans the Right to Know;, was introduced by Rep. Mike Pompeo; R-Kan; and is supported by a powerful coalition of industry front groups led by the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

Aside from being a direct attack on states; rights to pass food safety laws, the DARK Act aims to prevent consumers from knowing whether or not their food has been grown with glyphosate, a chemical recently declared a probable carcinogen by the World Health Organization.

The biotech and food industries are willing to spend millions to pass the DARK Act. The only way to prevent this bill from passing is for consumers and voters to pressure every member of Congress to reject this bill.

 
I'd also like to add that, cigarettes which are bad for our health, are still selling well, even with health hazard warnings. Why shouldn't GMOs be labeled, so that people know what they eat, and hence decide they want buy them or not. 

 

And lastly, isn't the protection of it’s citizens, one of the major roles of every democratic government?

(This is a letter sent to the following politicians (in Washington) and NY newspapers, on June 3rd, 2015. Senator Schumer, and Gillibrand, Congressman Paul Tonko, Albany TU, The Sch’dy Daily Gazette, The Troy Record, The Saratoga (Saratoga) and the Record (Amsterdam).
You are free to use, copy and paste at will and send to your political representatives and the media, your newspaper, etc.)