My visit to Italy make me appreciate the conveniences of the US more. While here, the desire to drive in Italy seemed to become stronger. The use of public transportation makes me rethink my use of our cars and continuing the walking that started here is also a desired result.
I am able to appreciate the rudeness discussed in Smiles "Converstation." During the Papal Audience, I found myself employing this in a heated discussion with the Spanish women that kept coming up from the back and blocking our view. All the time in my head I'm thinking: I'm at the Papal Audience having a heated discussion with this lady. What kind of Christian/Catholic am I.
As a result of our trip to Italy, I feel that I’ve come to appreciate art, and the need to research the pieces before viewing them. I hope to participate in more art appreciation activities. I would also like to travel a little more in the U.S. and see more of our architectural heritages. Much of the history in the US is similar to that of Rome. As stated in Smiles, “It is human culture” because it is made up of the history of people coming into the country for better lives and their contributions to our society. It is a culture that we need to appreciate more without being isolated at the same time. I truely want to be more culturally diverse and also build on the cultural diversity that the grandchildren are learning in school.
I feel that the trip to Italy expanded my horizons in art and knowledge of how other cultures live. While I’ve always tried to be helpful to people that don’t speak the same language, I hope that I am even more sensitive to their needs after being here.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Week 7 Class 325
For our walking tour, Eric, Carol and I visited the Borghese Gardens written by Ben, Andrea and John. The "Villa Borghese is Rome's most famous public par, and the most extensive in the centre of the city" (181). The tour needed to be a full 1 1/2 hrs long; and it was. We visited to various fountains in the garden and retraced our steps several times. During the tour,we saw the Fountain of Turtles that I saw during the walk in Borghese Gardens because it is near the Museum of Modern Art. Our guide talked provided some history about the gardens and the addition of the Temple of Faustina, the Temple of Diana and the Clock Building.
After the history, the tour began and the first fountain that came upon is the Fontana del Fiocco or the Fountain of the Bow. We weren't really sure why it is called by this name. We also came upon the statue of Gogol, a Russian poet. After this, we headed down the road to the piazza dedicated to Bernardo O'Higgins, and we passed it right by. For a very short period of time, we were outside the gardens. O'Higgins is noted as a Chilean independence leader. How does a Chilean indepence leader get the name O'Higgins?
As we came upon the dog park, Danilo wanted to rent a motorized 4 person bike to finish the tour:-)); but we didn't. After the dog park, we saw the zoo. From there, we moved on to the Fontana dei Cavalli Marini, also known as the Fountain of the Sea Horses. From there, we walked to the Statue of Umberto I. He was the second king of Italy, and he was known as the Good King. The tour gives history on Umberto I and his son.
It was after this that we experienced unexpected excitement during the walking tour; and we spent a little more time roaming the gardens. Looking for a 4 yr old little girl.
After about half an hour we were back on track and visited the Secret Gardens that are very well manicured and beautiful. From there, we went to the Tempio di Esculapio and the pond in front. Thanks to John and Ben's thoughtfulness, we were able to feed the birds.
After the history, the tour began and the first fountain that came upon is the Fontana del Fiocco or the Fountain of the Bow. We weren't really sure why it is called by this name. We also came upon the statue of Gogol, a Russian poet. After this, we headed down the road to the piazza dedicated to Bernardo O'Higgins, and we passed it right by. For a very short period of time, we were outside the gardens. O'Higgins is noted as a Chilean independence leader. How does a Chilean indepence leader get the name O'Higgins?
As we came upon the dog park, Danilo wanted to rent a motorized 4 person bike to finish the tour:-)); but we didn't. After the dog park, we saw the zoo. From there, we moved on to the Fontana dei Cavalli Marini, also known as the Fountain of the Sea Horses. From there, we walked to the Statue of Umberto I. He was the second king of Italy, and he was known as the Good King. The tour gives history on Umberto I and his son.
It was after this that we experienced unexpected excitement during the walking tour; and we spent a little more time roaming the gardens. Looking for a 4 yr old little girl.
After about half an hour we were back on track and visited the Secret Gardens that are very well manicured and beautiful. From there, we went to the Tempio di Esculapio and the pond in front. Thanks to John and Ben's thoughtfulness, we were able to feed the birds.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Week 5 Class 490
Before we went to Santos Spiritos,a hospital origianally established for foundlings and the sick after Pope Innocent the III dreamed of fishermen dredging bodies of dead children from the Tiber, according to Blue Guide: Rome (19).The ospadale fell into decay and Pope Sixtus IV rebuilt the Santos Spiritos making it one of the largest complexes of the day (21). Unfortunately, the building was constructed by a variety of architects and its harmony disolved by Alexander VIII making it two stories and Benedict XIV when he blocked the arches to the portico. According to the Blue Guide, the ospedale contains "two institutions devoted to the history of medicine" (402).
The first institution is the Lancisiana Library founded in 1711. The second is the Historical Medical Academy a museum illustrating the history of medicine unique to Italy.The museum boast of anatomical drawings by Paolo Mascagni, Giuseppe Flajani's surgical instruments (those would be interesting to see) and a reconstruction of 17th century pharmacy and an alchemist's laboratory.
Even though I knew the hospital was the oldest in the city, I was a little taken aback by the inside of the building; however, I was impressed with the means of tracking the distribution of drugs. I actually think it is a good thing and should be used in the US.
The first institution is the Lancisiana Library founded in 1711. The second is the Historical Medical Academy a museum illustrating the history of medicine unique to Italy.The museum boast of anatomical drawings by Paolo Mascagni, Giuseppe Flajani's surgical instruments (those would be interesting to see) and a reconstruction of 17th century pharmacy and an alchemist's laboratory.
Even though I knew the hospital was the oldest in the city, I was a little taken aback by the inside of the building; however, I was impressed with the means of tracking the distribution of drugs. I actually think it is a good thing and should be used in the US.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Week 7 Class 225
During our scavenger hunt at the Piazza Navona, we needed to search for a piece of art at the Pantheon. When we came up on the Pantheon, I felt the emotion of shock; I expected the building to be surrounded by grass and plants and space. To my disappointment, the Pantheon is surrounded by blacktop and buildings. In researching the Pantheon, I discovered that its history, unfortunately, is of pillage and destruction.
The Blue Guide: Rome explains that the Pantheon “was built during the Third consulate of Agrippa to commemorate the victory of Antony and Cleopatra at Actium.” (259) The history of the structure is a on the sad side; or maybe, it is an indication that the treatment of Antony and Cleopatra. Anyway, the Pantheon suffered two fires. The first fire only damaged the Pantheon in AD80; Domitian, later, restored the building. In 110, the structure was hit by lightening and completely destroyed by another fire. After examination of the brick stamps, archeologist concluded that the existing structure is not that of Agrippa. They feel this new temple is the design of Hadrian and he rebuilt it on a larger scale with different lines. (259) Later, in 609, Boniface IV consecrated the temple as a Christian church after he received it from the Byzantine emperor Phocas. Boniface dedicated the church to Santa Maria ad Martyre, according to Blue Guide. (260)
According to the Blue Guide, a legend saying that after the consecration of the Pantheon, “28 wagonloads of martyrs’ bones had been transferred here from the catacombs.” (260). It is also believed that during “a 12-day visit”, Constans II “robbed the temple of what the Goths had left and in particular stripped off the gilded roof-tiles,” And they were most likely bronze. (260) The Pantheon also served as a fortress for the Popes during aristocratic family struggles. (260)
According to Art through the Ages, “Giovanni Pannini’s paintings of the interior of the Pantheon exhibits better than any photograph one can see the unity and scale of design, the simplicity of its relationships, and its breath-taking grandeur. Through various studies, architects believe the form of space enclosed is almost accidentally determined by the placement of the solids, which do not so much shape as interrupt it.” (222)
The Blue Guide: Rome explains that the Pantheon “was built during the Third consulate of Agrippa to commemorate the victory of Antony and Cleopatra at Actium.” (259) The history of the structure is a on the sad side; or maybe, it is an indication that the treatment of Antony and Cleopatra. Anyway, the Pantheon suffered two fires. The first fire only damaged the Pantheon in AD80; Domitian, later, restored the building. In 110, the structure was hit by lightening and completely destroyed by another fire. After examination of the brick stamps, archeologist concluded that the existing structure is not that of Agrippa. They feel this new temple is the design of Hadrian and he rebuilt it on a larger scale with different lines. (259) Later, in 609, Boniface IV consecrated the temple as a Christian church after he received it from the Byzantine emperor Phocas. Boniface dedicated the church to Santa Maria ad Martyre, according to Blue Guide. (260)
According to the Blue Guide, a legend saying that after the consecration of the Pantheon, “28 wagonloads of martyrs’ bones had been transferred here from the catacombs.” (260). It is also believed that during “a 12-day visit”, Constans II “robbed the temple of what the Goths had left and in particular stripped off the gilded roof-tiles,” And they were most likely bronze. (260) The Pantheon also served as a fortress for the Popes during aristocratic family struggles. (260)
According to Art through the Ages, “Giovanni Pannini’s paintings of the interior of the Pantheon exhibits better than any photograph one can see the unity and scale of design, the simplicity of its relationships, and its breath-taking grandeur. Through various studies, architects believe the form of space enclosed is almost accidentally determined by the placement of the solids, which do not so much shape as interrupt it.” (222)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Week 6 Class 225
St. Paul’s Outside the Wall Mosaic Apse:
According to Georgina Masson's "The Roman Form," explains that "Later basilicas often had one or more apses in the side or end walls, like the last to be built in Rome, begun by Maxentius and clompleted by Constantine." (17) Masson goes on to explain that "The building in Rome today which gi ves us the clearest picture of what the interior of these ancient basilicas was like is the Christian on of San Paolo fuori le Mure." (17)
The mosaic of the Apse iconography and treatment are of Byzantine tradition. During the second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI referred to this mosaic that displays the Christ Pantocrator. Pantocrator translates to “’Almighty’ or ‘All-powerful’. The meaning is derived from the Greek word Pantokrator that means all and the noun ‘strength’ (kpatos)….Another more literal translation is ‘Ruler of All’ or, less literally, ‘Sustainer of the World.’” (Wikipedia) Christ Pantocrator can be identified by the tunic and drapes that Christ wears; his right hand makes the sign of a blessing and the left holds a “very thick Gospel-book with a cover adorned with jewels and precious stones. The eyes are not alike in size and shpe, the mouth is asymmetrical with a melancholy expression, the rather short beard has an inward curve and the hair falls back over the left shoulder.” (Wikipedia) However, according to The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Christ’s right hand point to the IC XC the first and last letters of in the names “Jesus” and “Christ” in the Greek form that are above his head. The book goes on to explain that the “Three fingers” pointing up “symbolize the Trinity, and the other two fingers pinched together symbolize “Christ’s double nature – divine and human.”
To the right of Christ is Paul, his name is the only name written in both Greek and Latin. On his left, you see Peter and his brother Andrew; they were the first to be called by Christ. At Christ’s foot, is a representation in white of Pope Honorius III; he commissioned the mosaic.
In Christ’s hands, an open scroll proclaims the words of the Last Judgment and the scrolls in Peter and Paul’s hands proclaim their faith. The unrolled scrolls seen in the hands of the apostles in the smaller mosaic below the large mosaic of Christ with Paul, Peter and Andrew is a verse of the “Gloria,” the hymn praising the Blessed Trinity.
According to Georgina Masson's "The Roman Form," explains that "Later basilicas often had one or more apses in the side or end walls, like the last to be built in Rome, begun by Maxentius and clompleted by Constantine." (17) Masson goes on to explain that "The building in Rome today which gi ves us the clearest picture of what the interior of these ancient basilicas was like is the Christian on of San Paolo fuori le Mure." (17)
The mosaic of the Apse iconography and treatment are of Byzantine tradition. During the second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI referred to this mosaic that displays the Christ Pantocrator. Pantocrator translates to “’Almighty’ or ‘All-powerful’. The meaning is derived from the Greek word Pantokrator that means all and the noun ‘strength’ (kpatos)….Another more literal translation is ‘Ruler of All’ or, less literally, ‘Sustainer of the World.’” (Wikipedia) Christ Pantocrator can be identified by the tunic and drapes that Christ wears; his right hand makes the sign of a blessing and the left holds a “very thick Gospel-book with a cover adorned with jewels and precious stones. The eyes are not alike in size and shpe, the mouth is asymmetrical with a melancholy expression, the rather short beard has an inward curve and the hair falls back over the left shoulder.” (Wikipedia) However, according to The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Christ’s right hand point to the IC XC the first and last letters of in the names “Jesus” and “Christ” in the Greek form that are above his head. The book goes on to explain that the “Three fingers” pointing up “symbolize the Trinity, and the other two fingers pinched together symbolize “Christ’s double nature – divine and human.”
To the right of Christ is Paul, his name is the only name written in both Greek and Latin. On his left, you see Peter and his brother Andrew; they were the first to be called by Christ. At Christ’s foot, is a representation in white of Pope Honorius III; he commissioned the mosaic.
In Christ’s hands, an open scroll proclaims the words of the Last Judgment and the scrolls in Peter and Paul’s hands proclaim their faith. The unrolled scrolls seen in the hands of the apostles in the smaller mosaic below the large mosaic of Christ with Paul, Peter and Andrew is a verse of the “Gloria,” the hymn praising the Blessed Trinity.
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