New Modern Way of Keeping Time
A proposal to rethink how we count our years, starting from the earliest signs of human civilization rather than religious events.
Thoughts on art, design, nature and the universe.
After decades of working as an artist, I've decided to build a space to reflect on my life, work, and the universe. I'll be posting my thoughts here as I have them, and I hope you'll find them interesting.
Winners Write History
Exploring how winners rewrite history and how archaeological discoveries challenge established beliefs about ancient civilizations.
The Gift to Remember
Reflecting on the importance of remembering our roots and how nations that know their past can chart their future.
My Best Five
My personal picks for the best five in soccer, sports, acting, and politics from the last few decades.
I’m a “little”…………worried!!!!!
A sobering look at the environmental catastrophe that would unfold if humanity suddenly disappeared.
Adam - A Vatican Thriller: My New Book
An announcement of my new novel, a gripping Vatican thriller about Cardinals navigating hard times and the loss of faith in institutions.
Gold Medals Won at the Paris Olympics
A different perspective on how Olympic medals should be counted when comparing the USA to European nations.
Music Travel Love
Discovering the genius of MTL - two brothers who perform cover songs at incredibly beautiful locations around the world.
What's the Meaning of Having a Gun?
A reflection on gun ownership in modern society and why the reasons that once justified it no longer apply.
Two Great Friends That Helped Me Very Much
A tribute to Harmen Hoek and Andrew Cross (Desert Drifter), whose YouTube journeys through magnificent places brought me joy when I couldn't travel myself.
The Best National Anthems (For My Taste)
A personal appreciation of the most beautiful national anthems from around the world, focusing purely on their musical beauty.
The Art of Balancing Stones
My attempts at stone balancing and the masters who make it look effortless.
For the First Time, I Made a Triptych
A composition of three pieces designed to stand side by side, each with resemblances but different colors.
The Most Absurd Thing Ever: Global Commerce
Why shipping goods across the planet when every nation can produce them locally is an economic and environmental catastrophe.
We Deeply Overestimate the Importance of Our Existence!!!
A perspective on humanity's place in the 4.5 billion year history of Earth and why we can't "fix" the planet.
To Transfer Experience Is "Almost" Impossible!!!
Why passing on life lessons to younger generations is one of the hardest things to do, and what we can learn from trying.
Today, Only Two Things Still Keep Us Together
In a deeply divided world, music and sports remain the only forces that tear down barriers and unite humankind.
Paper Clothes: What Are We Waiting For?
A revolutionary idea that could save billions of gallons of water and eliminate the endless cycle of laundry forever.
Remembering Michael Jackson... PROPERLY!!!
A balanced reflection on Michael Jackson's incredible impact on billions of lives through his music and humanitarian efforts during our darkest moments.
The Philosophers of Our Time
How comedians have become the truth-tellers of our era, offering insights about society that news channels and commentators cannot or will not provide.
The Longest Civilization Ever!!!!
Why Native American civilization lasted 15,000 years while others collapsed in millennia - lessons in sustainable living versus urban concentration.
Edith...
A tribute to the incomparable Edith Piaf, whose voice and artistry continue to move hearts across generations and cultures.
An Incurable Disease: Collecting!!!
From stamps to movie prop replicas, the evolution of a lifelong collecting obsession that started at age five and shows no signs of stopping.
We All Had to Learn to Not Just Look but to... SEE!!!!
A reflection on the difference between passive observation and active perception, and how training our brains to truly see and listen transforms our experience of the world.
The Coins of Saint Croix
A serendipitous discovery while snorkeling in the Virgin Islands leads to an unexpected treasure hunt and a lasting artistic memory.
If They Could Talk...
A whimsical conversation with plants in nature, imagining what they might say about their appearance and place in the world.
Simply Incomprehensible (at least for me)!!!
A reflection on why some populations choose to remain in harsh environments when migration to more hospitable lands seems like the obvious choice.
The Real Price of a Bottle of Wine from Sonoma and Napa Valley
A sobering look at the environmental and ecological cost of wine production in California's famous valleys, where paradise was traded for vineyards.
An Interesting Comparison Between the Habits of Birds and Humans
A humorous and thought-provoking observation of the contrasting approaches to beauty and mate selection between birds and humans.
Alberto Burri and Frank Stella Influence in My Works
A personal reflection on how two great artists, Alberto Burri with his war-influenced destructive art and Frank Stella with his geometric compositions, shaped my artistic journey.
12 American "Mind Diseases"
A satirical observation of peculiar American cultural habits and societal norms after 25 years of living in the United States.
Don't Come Around Me When I'm Painting
A humorous look at my unstoppable urge to paint everything in sight, from shoes to clothes, and the consequences for those who venture too close.
The Absurdity of Continuing Space Explorations
A critical analysis of space exploration costs, human limitations in space, and the ethical implications of prioritizing space missions over Earth-based humanitarian needs.
An Unconvential and Original Ball
How I transformed a soccer ball into a unique art piece showcasing beach souvenirs collected from our travels around the world, from Sardinia to Ireland.
Reinventing the Guitar
How I modified a Fender Stratocaster to make it lighter and designed the revolutionary "Essential" guitar with unique features like a plexiglass body and carbon fiber-reinforced neck.
My Most Important Achievement
The story of how I designed and patented a revolutionary watch that won the Gold Medal as Best Invention in the World.
My Most Important Piece of Art
The story of how my burned tennis racket compositions caught the eye of a high-end fashion store in Milan, leading to my first major sale as an artist in 1980.
The Mental and Physical of Carving
A rare venture into figurative art - the story of an ambitious redwood table project featuring a carved horse that tested both my mental and physical limits.
Movies I Love
Let's have some fun with the movies that have inspired and shaped my life.
Music I Love
Discover the musical artists and songs that have profoundly influenced my life, from classical masterpieces to contemporary gems that move my soul.
Artists I Love
Discover the remarkable artists who have profoundly influenced my artistic journey and shaped my creative perspective over the years.
The Four "D"s of Success in Soccer and in Life
Learn how the four "D"s - Desire, Determination, Dedication, and Discipline - are essential for success in both soccer and life.
Can the pleasure of soccer be taught?
Discover the remarkable artists who have profoundly influenced my artistic journey and shaped my creative perspective over the years.
To Be Successful, You Do Not Have to Do Extraordinary Things
A reflection on how mastering the fundamentals through dedicated practice, rather than seeking flashy moves, is the true path to excellence in soccer and in life.
Hell Explained by a Chemistry Student
A humorous explanation of thermodynamics in Hell by a clever chemistry student, complete with an unexpected romantic twist.
Beauty Appreciation in This Country
Reflections on the cultural differences in appreciating beauty between Italy and America, and why cultivating an eye for beauty matters.
The Big Negative Aspect of Architecture
Exploring how modern architecture has shifted from functional design to extravagant aesthetics, often at the expense of a building's intended purpose.
The Perfect Product to Sell
Discover the perfect product to sell... and why it's still selling well even today.
The Origins of US State Names
A fascinating collection of the origins of the names of the US states.
My Personal Journey into Art
From my early days in Milan making art on kitchen doors to playing soccer with stones in the streets, discover my personal journey into art.
What inspires me in making my compositions?
Explore with me the natural phenomena, and creative forces that have shaped my artistic vision and practice over the years.
My website is live!
Welcome to my new website, "Art in the Backyard". I'm Gianni Mininni, an artist who creates art in the backyard.