introduction
During my time in Florence, Italy, I took a class called Green Paradises in Italy from the Renaissance to our Age, a surprisingly interesting class about gardens. While learning about the metaphorical meanings of gardens and their designs, we discussed Hypnerotomachia Poliphili, a romantic story published in 1499. The story follows Poliphilo in his search for Polia, his love, set in a dreamy landscape.
Though Hypnerotomachia Poliphili is translated as The Strive of Love in a Dream, my professor first translated it as Dream Love Machine (hence the name of my original blog), a translation I immediately loved. I have extended the meaning to this blog, which I will use to document my travel with photographs and thoughts.
In a lot of ways, we’re all a bunch of Poliphilos searching for Polias. Our Polias don’t have to be people; they could be happinesses or successes or answers. I hope to find answers, as well as clarity, excitement and, in some ways, discomfort in the next year through my ventures, and with this blog, I’ll share it all with you!
