Burano
Burano, a small island in the Venice Lagoon is different from Murano, which is well-known for its beautiful glass products based on centuries-old artistry. Burano is famous for two things: their lace and their colorful houses. Their lace-making is now mass-produced somewhere else, unfortunately. The island is actually a collection of four islets connected by bridges. The island was reportedly founded by people from Altino in the 5thor 6th century and traditionally has been a fishermen settlement for centuries, so fishing has been an important economic factor for the island. It was reported that the houses were painted in bright and contrasting colors so that the fishermen can identify their homes on the way back in the misty lagoon.
While Venice has the grand architecture of the ornate palaces, basilica, plazas and campanile, quite appropriate due to its previous role as the center of commerce and political power in the strategic area; Burano has a simpler presence with its rows of houses. They represent modesty; no grand entrance, no ornate façade or elaborate roof structures. To me, this particular image represents their quiet way of life. The contrasting colors of the houses show a clear dichotomy between the serenity of way of life and the excitement of having so many colors in a community. Additionally, the community seems to be built around the row of houses, as they are connected as one, and yet the multi-colored façade can be perceived as diversity. Granted that the initial purpose of the colors was probably practical, but one can ponder that the duplicity of this image can be strikingly attractive.
