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ONLY BE ROMAN
Only-Be Roman
The Triumphal Arches of Rome
Andrea Palladio paid tribute to Vitruvius, in his Four Books of Architecture (1570) saying that the Romans had not exceeded his buildings and even four and a half centuries later. There are still likely to authors willing to say the same thing. In any case, our intention is not to perpetuate the absurdity of trying to rank creation, but it seems certain that Rome has more than enough credentials to be named city par excellence for lovers of architecture, as shown convincingly in such films as The Belly of an Architect (Peter Greenaway, 1987). For better or for worse, Westerners continue to manifest an unconquerable longing for Rome which is reflected very uniquely, in the spaces created by architecture. On the other hand, it is not difficult to agree with Gombrich that the ruins of its buildings are impossible to forget, or to use the famous words of Poe, “the grandeur that was Rome.” It´s true that modern cities show the continuing influence of structures of Roman civil engineering and forms that characterized Greek architecture. Despite the accusation of lack of originality regarding the Greek world, Roman architecture is responsible, for the invention of a novel element, the arc, which would become absolutely essential since then, allowing construction feats never before imagined. It is therefore not surprising that among the Roman architectural creations that have caused a more lasting impression are the triumphal arches, whose composition plays a role not unlike that of the musical chords. Perhaps that was precisely the reason these triumphal arches were repeatedly used as a model during the Renaissance for the design of facades...
Borromini´s Dancing Plane Geometry
One of the most unique advantages to the traveler who rents apartments in Rome is that it, like the Paris of Hemingway, the city seems infinite… Given the variety of styles and the tremendous quantity and quality of archaeological, architectural and artistic material to behold means that even if one spent every trip just exploring one aspect of the city, one would still never run out of things to see. One particularly intriguing figure, worth a bit of attention, is melancholy architect Francesco Borromini (1599-1667), whose life was cut short, like many a great artist’s, by suicide. This mortal coil has very little place for brilliance, sensitivity and innovation. He was probably one of the most radically theatrical architects Rome had seen, emblematic of a Baroque era defined by the metaphor of World as Theatre. Should you decide to take this route, do not forget to put on your dancing shoes. If, as said by Walter Pater, all art aspires to the condition of music, all the buildings of Borromini seem to aspire to the condition of dance. This article, in turn, aspires to the condition of the monster mash. Perhaps even more appropriate than the metaphor of dance, is the image of the ecstatic dervish found in Rumi´s verses. Just consider the amazing San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane (Via del Quirinale 23), whose ellipsoid forms lead to an altered state of consciousness and reasoned derangement of all senses, and following Rimbaud’s desires convert a mere poet in psychic visionary. Breathe in the dramatic architectural illusionism and bewildering grace as you marvel at the frenzy of the exquisite oval...
British Cemetery in Rome
Perhaps one of the greatest contrasts of Rome lies south of the Capitoline Hill in the populous neighborhood of Testaccio, at the foot of the mountain of which takes its name. Unlike the nearby Aventine, the exclusive and quiet neighborhood that attracted writers and philosophers of ancient Rome, Testaccio has always been one of the busiest and most popular districts of the city, the perfect place to discover and observe the very essence of Roman life. You can find traditional grocery stores, antique markets, old factories, slaughterhouses and an assortment of vibrant restaurants, bars and clubs animation that prolong the day until the wee hours, making this a beloved area for nightlife. It is, however this neighborhood which is site where one of the most interesting landmarks of Rome: the Cimiterio Acattolico (Via Caio Cestio, 6). As its name suggests, it is simply a non-Catholic cemetery, a resting places for the bodies of Protestants, Orthodox, Buddhists, atheists and agnostics. For example, Antonio Gramsci, founder of the Italian Communist Party, a victim of fascism and perhaps one of the most suggestive and interesting thinkers of the twentieth century left, is buried here. Its fame, however, is due mainly to the Protestants and, more specifically, the English Protestants buried there which is why it is often known as the Graveyard of the English. Among them lie poets and friends John Keats (1795-1821) and Percy B. Shelley (1792-1822), who along with compatriot Lord Byron (1788-1824), who perhaps sought his own death to fight for freedom in Greece, another country of classical antiquity. These men make up the patriarchal triumvirate of imperial British...
Maxxi museum wins prestigous Stirling Prize
The MAXXI, a new contemporary art museum in Rome that was designed by architect Zaha Hadid recently won the Stirling prize awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Hadid´s career is illustrious, and she was the first woman to obtain a Pritzker (which is considered the Nobel of architecture). She is also responsible for designing the swimming pavilion in the London Olympics in 2012. According to the jury, Stirling´s building is ” a mature piece of architecture, the distillation of years of experimentation, only a fraction of which ever got built,and this is one of the main reasons which were given the award.” Critics have hailed it the best work of her career, or quipped that it does not mesh with the urban environment which surrounds it. Love it or hate it, it’s still a winner Hadid won a generous cash prize as part of the award; other buildings short listed for the prize include a housing project in east London and the Neues Museum in Berlin. The competition was very stiff. Ruth Reed, president of RIBA, said the MAXXI was a worthy winner and is very excited for having given the award to Zaha Hadid whom she considers one of the most important architects of Great Britain. As you can imagine the MAXXI is incredibly impressive not only because of the thrilling works it contains but also because of the building design. If you want to a visit this brilliant temple to contemporary architecture, rent apartments in Rome and enjoy browsing. More information: http://www.maxxi.beniculturali.it/ MAXXI: Via Guido Reni, 10, Rome, 153...
Italian celebrities of the 50´s to feature in Glamorous photo exhibit
Scandalous love affairs, parties, hidden love, hopes and dreams- we’ve been fascinated by celebrities for years, as tabloids and television attest. The past was not so different, as you can see in an exhibit at Trajan´s Market in Rome which displays salacious photographs of movie stars and celebrities from the 50s attracting the public eye. In 1949 the international press covered the Linda Christian and Tyrone Power’s wedding in Rome with the same attention lavished on celebrity weddings today. In the ´50s Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer filmed Quo Vadis Cinecittà and also opened Café Society which became, very quickly, a swinging hotspot for movie stars. In the ´50s in Italy there were two different realities: one part of the population was trying to survive the disasters and aftermath of the Second World War. Hunger, poverty and illiteracy were common. On the other hand, there was also a large part of the society that was more affluent, and ate up celebrity based popular culture with zest. Brigitte Bardot, Ava Gardner, Audrey Hepburn, Clark Gable, Charlton Heston, Ernie Banks, Grace Kelly, Prince Rainier of Monaco, Ingrid Bergman, Roberto Rossellini, Maria Callas and Aristotle Onassis all spent time in Rome, and helped establish its reputation in the media as a cosmopolitan jet-set capital where Coca-Cola was the protagonist and rock & roll and jive were everywhere. In this exhibit you can see shots from this magical era that established Rome in the hearts and minds of many as glamorous, star-studded capital. Rent apartments in Rome to see the lives of famous people of the 50´s, when glamour was still alive, and relish in the loves,...High Priestess of Punk in Rome
I was about to write an article lamenting the curious phenomenon of the 2010 summer tours, which above all seem to be about festival after festival, most of which include as headliners and special guest artists fading stars that are that are already more fossil than rocker. But when I heard that Patti Smith will perform on Friday 28 in Rome at the Teatro Romano di Ostia Antica, my cynicism receded a bit. If there is any living legend of rock (who also listens to opera), you should have a chance to see, appreciate and be thankful for it’s Patti Smith. Many call her the “High Priestess of Punk,” a moniker that she has earned over the years because she embodies what punk music is about, not only in sonic terms but also spiritual, political, and emotional ones. Raised in a working-class religious family, she left her humble beginnings in 1967 for New York; in what would be not only a move that would change her life but also the history of music. Unlike many “stars” of today, her path took her to world fame not because of how she dressed or manufactured her own image or drew attention in the tabloids but because of her energy and intelligence as a singer and songwriter , artistic and political associations and of course, attitude and empathetic energy. In New York, she got together with such artists like photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, playwright Sam Shepard and producer John Cale. She influenced a whole generation of rockers, left show business to raise her children, and returned to play after the death of her...Weird Pets
Have a dog, and maybe a cat, but are thinking about something a little more off-beat? Depending on the space you have (and the licenses – this is pretty important when considering an exotic pet), you can keep anything from tarantulas to pot-bellied pigs. Tarantulas These large, hairy spiders have a bad reputation as being dangerous, and scary. They don´t deserve this at all, as they are actually gentle and docile creatures. Yes, they can be poisonous, but not enough to kill, and they are easily handled. They´re also very low-maintenance, although they can´t really be trained to play fetch, unless they´re ´fetching´ food. The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach From arachnids to insects, the Hissing Cockroach is hard to miss. They can grow up to eight cm long and two to three cm wide. Like all members of the cockroach family, these guys are tough, and unlike your average hamster they won´t keel over and die at every loud noise or cold night. They´re good pets for kids, as they don´t bite, although they might scare your visitors, so make sure you have a suitable enclosure. The Pac Man Frog These guys DO bite. In fact, they munch everything in their path, which is how they got their name. They need to be kept in a cage alone, and kept out of the way of kids, as they compulsively bite and although frogs don´t have teeth, they supposedly don´t let go for hours. Ferrets These aren´t exactly weird, but you don´t see them every day. Ferrets are an under-rated pet: Yes they can be a bit smelly, so you need...
False Prophets, the First Seal of the Book the of Apocalypse
The Book of Apocalypse is the last book of the New Testament of the Bible that reveals the Seven Seals. Although many people are controversial to the Catholic Church´s doctrines, it is worth knowing its dogmas to take a position for or against it. In fact, it is necessary to say that The Apocalypse has been one of the most studied literary works of the mankind history thanks to its great quantity of symbols and its exclusively prophetic character. It lists the Seven Seals of human history from a Catholic point of view, equivalent to seven prophecies, respectively: wars, famine, disease, chaos … until with the Seventh Seal comes the End. The First Seal is represented through the first horseman of the Apocalypse, riding a white horse. This prophecy speaks of false preachers, false Christs and false prophets who deceive the masses. The truth is that the Catholic Church has been and is one of the most powerful institutions in the world. There have been times when the Word of God was the only provision valid and anyone who rebelled against the Catholic doctrines would be punished with the death. The Inquisition was brought about in 1184. It was the institution in charge of suppressing any heresy that arose against Catholic dogmas. It spread for centuries and to multiple territories, and it was not until 1965 that it completely went out. The Inquisition was the most terrible scourge of the Catholic Church. This one was silenced for centuries, since the historical ignorance and the weight of the Church as a social and political institution managed to silence the...
Colour and Psyche
You have just moved into a new apartment and your partner offers to paint the room in bright red? Does the idea not convince you? It is well known that this is the colour of strong feeling and life force. It would therefore be ideal as a stimulant for nights of passion, but it is right to rest well, since it has an effect that induce sleep. To achieve this end, it’s better to choose a blue or yellow pastel. Each colour has certain reactions and emotions…in fact; each of the colours that the human eye can see is electromagnetic radiation emitted by a particular wavelength of light. These are perceived by photoreceptors in the retina and reach the brain as electrochemical impulses. It appears that colours can be perceived even by the blind. The vibrations of the electromagnetic radiation would be well received through the skin. Colours influence our mood and our mind. But does it depend only on the objective characteristics of each colour? It seems not. The associations that certain colours trigger in us and connect them to certain concepts have been handed down through time long with the traditions and cultural values of the environment in which we grow up in. In Japan, for example the target does not have the same meaning as in the west, where the white colour symbolizes death. Often those who see the world from a certain viewpoint can also lead to their preferences for colours or colour combinations by their ideological beliefs. Red for example, has always been the general colour of social revolutions, the grouping of red and...
