The post titel is a quote from one of our professors, Boston-native Tom Rankin. His words are the result of a translating the inscription on what is known as "the Square Colosseum." This palace of sorts was built in the EUR (a neighborhood in Rome) as a key landmark for identifying Mussolini's vision for a new, fascist, rome. The building acts as a symbol for a more progressive, younger, healthier Rome. "The Square Colosseum" isn't pictured below, but I'm sure a picture will surface here in the near future. This past week brought several instances of realizing both the hyper-modern and ancient layers of Rome. Spending most of our time in Ostiense over the weekend, we were able to document several super structures previously dedicated to natural gas storage, transfer and manipulation. Reused as museums in some instances, the structures now stand as semi-iconic skyline composers amongst the basilica and historic buildings the city is so often identified with. Uncovering newer layers, which I believe my generation might better understand, was a welcome feeling as I often find myself a bit intimidated by the historic significance of practically the entire city of Rome. This week wraps up our Italian language courses. Since three weeks isn't near enough time to feel confident with the Italian language (especially coming from a German language background) about 7 of us (idea generation by Rachel) ISU students decided to contact Roma Tre architecture students to further our Italian skills. This already seems to be a good choice as their studio location isn't far from our apartments, and they seem have FANTASTIC english. Interesting gelato flavor of the week: Orange and black pepper (I had mistaken the pepper grounds for cloves....) The Visit List: 1) Abbey Theatre Irish Pub Rome (Taco Tuesday knockout and fantastic margaritas for all those missing El Azteca) 2) Kuriya - the best food I've had yet! Wasabi Gelato and asian fusion --- also the interior design of the place is wild. 3) Poggi Art Store - finally a worthy supply store, the owner has a great, wood watch! 4) Fosse Ardeatine National Memorial (not pictured below) - this site has a story / design far too complex to be accurately captured in this post. If you would like to know more, check out the official site: here 5) Centrale Montemartini - not too far from the natural gas storage structure, this museum is an odd combination of industrial wheels / engines and marble statues that acted as the proof to sculptures now famous, or too broken to merit space in Rome's well-known museums. An entertaining place to view sculpture as well as sketch! 6) Arch of Constantine 7) Basilica di San Clemente - this is one of the most telling archaeological sites in Rome. A church stands today above remains of a basilica dated to the 4th century, which stand above remains of a 1st century home and mythraic training school / rooms, WHICH POTENTIALLY STAND ABOVE another site ruined during the Fire of Nero. ISN'T THAT FASCINATING? No pictures allowed -- so looks like you'll just have to come visit the ISU Architecture and Landscape Architecture students if you want the grand tour!
2 Comments
Maltman
1/30/2014 02:12:41 am
Click the heels and you'll go back to Kansas??
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jlmaltby
1/30/2014 02:15:58 am
Something like that!
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