domenica 4 maggio 2014

Partnership al progetto (parte II)

Nella giornata di martedì 29/04 ho avuto un colloquio telefonico con la presidente della sezione di Roma dell’associazione AICS. Alla signora M.Zitelini ho inizialmente spiegato la mia idea di progetto ovvero di posizionare, in un lotto di forma pressoché quadrata una biblioteca specifica che contenga volumi dedicati allo sport con annessi degli alloggi per studenti. La presidente, molto interessata all'argomento, mi ha tuttavia suggerito di inserire alcune modifiche al progetto. La sua idea è stata quella di ampliare l’idea di biblioteca e , data la sua particolare destinazione, integrandola con  una mediateca contenente supporti multimediali così da ottenere un luogo molto più completo e di conseguenza anche popolato. Riguardo agli alloggi per studenti anche qui mi ha consigliato delle modifiche: se l’idea fondamentale era quella di conciliare sport e cultura dato che la funzione cultura era svolta dalla mediateca , gli alloggi potevano diventare luogo transitorio per atleti che devono svolgere gare nella Capitale. Gli alloggi,da me pensati stabili,potevano diventare alloggi temporanei, comunque sempre molto sfruttati date le numerose gare che si svolgono in città, per gli atleti. Data i brevi soggiorni degli atleti, questo spazio poteva anche disporre di una palestra utile per le ultime rifiniture degli atleti nei giorni precedenti le gare agonistiche. L’idea a me è sembrata molto interessante e logica e , di conseguenza , effettuerò questi cambiamenti al progetto.
Alla mia domanda di come si immaginasse un luogo del genere in cui convivessero diverse funzioni tutte però calibrate verso un unico obbiettivo , lo sport,  la sua risposta si è rivelata alquanto sorprendete ; dinamico , movimentato, estremamente vigoroso , uno spazio di carattere che dia forza e coraggio agli atleti . Inoltre desidererebbe molto dedicare una piccola area in cui ogni atleta potesse raccogliersi singolarmente prima della competizione.
In seguito ho cercato di descrivere la disposizione degli spazi e l’idea di piazza generata dal “fiume”. Qui la presidente non mi ha dato grandi consigli in quanto non era molto esperta di progettazione. È rimasta comunque soddisfatta dell’idea generatrice e della forma che lo spazio può assumere integrando naturale e artificiale.


Il secondo committente trovato è un’altra associazione,dal nome Cooltura, composta prevalentemente da giovani che organizza eventi culturali nella zona della Tuscia. Ho avuto un colloquio diretto,il giorno 2/05,con uno dei responsabili dell’associazione, Francesco Bergantili,al quale ho spiegato l’idea di fondere sport e cultura parlandogli della composizione e della suddivisione degli spazi facendo tesoro dei consigli che mi aveva già fornito la presidente M.Zitelini. Il signor Bergantili ne è rimasto molto soddisfatto chiedendomi,inoltre,di rimanere in contatto e di informarlo sull'evoluzione del lavoro. Per ultima cosa l’ho invitato a recarsi,nei giorni dell’esame ovvero 22 e 23 luglio,in facoltà ad assistere alle esposizioni di tutti gli studenti. Per ora non ha potuto confermare la sua presenza ma mi ha rassicurato dicendomi che forse,avrebbe mandato un altro membro dell’associazione come suo portavoce.

sabato 26 aprile 2014

What to see in Rome (Churches)

The 10 Churches in Rome you cannot afford to miss


Churches may not be very high on the lists of many tourists, but these ignorant people are committing a terrible sin by discounting places of worship from their itineraries. Churches possess the finest art and history of any place in Europe. Rome is a city of churches, and tourists should take care to dress appropriately, because any church you happen across in Rome should be entered, from St. Peter's Basilica and the other major churches, to some lesser known gems scattered throughout the city. This is a list of the 10 Best Churches to visit when in Rome. Each of the churches on this list are all Roman Catholic Churches.Nota Bene: St. Paul Outside the Walls should be on this list, but is "outside the walls" so take care to visit here also.

Trinita dei Monti
Trinita dei Monti
Trinita dei Monti

10. Trinita dei Monti

Trinita dei Monti offers one of the finest or at least famous views of Rome atop the Spanish steps. Trinita is picturesque from the bottom of the steps with an obelisk in front of commanding stone exterior. Inside the church, the frescoed ceiling and the paintings are a treasure, many done by del Vaga and several students of Michaelangelo. Trinita is one of the most photographed churches in the world, and a difficult church to miss - just make sure that when in Rome at the Piazza di Spagna, you actually go inside of the church at the top - you won't be disappointed.

9. Santa Maria in Trastevere

Trastevere, a charming Roman neighborhood across the Tiber from the city centre has a hidden gem with Santa Maria in Trastevere. Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches in Rome. The exterior shows its antiquated beginnings and the interior is adorned with fine Byzantine Icons. Different from many of the Roman churches because of its age (dates back as far as 4th century AD) and architecture, the mosaics in the apse and along the high walls are not to be missed. The ambiance of this church sets it apart, and feel free to visit later in the day and stick around for the evening as several nice cafes and small restaurants line the piazza.

8. Ss. Ambrogio e Carlo

Sant’Ambrogio e Carlo (Ss Ambrose and Charles), located off of the Via del Corso, near the Mausoleum of Augustus, is a church that is much larger than it appears. This seems like it is a typical Roman church, and as such, is a perfect example of why tourists to Rome should go into any church they stumble across. Ss. Ambrose and Charles has wonderful frescoes and a magnificent ceiling, even though this cavernous gem is a little off the beaten path (meaning it is not a highlight of many Roman tours). Some of the wonders of this church also include amazing side chapels and relics like the heart of St. Charles Borromeo.
Beautiful Baroque qualities of Santa Maria della Vittoria
Beautiful Baroque qualities of Santa Maria della Vittoria
Bernini's Ecstasy of St. Theresa
Bernini's Ecstasy of St. Theresa

7. Santa Maria della Vittoria

Dan Brown fans will know this church from Angels and Demons and Santa Maria della Vittoria is a church that should be able to stand without the help of a book and Hollywood monstrosity. This baroque church is not spectacular on the outside and thus easy to pass over, but to do so would be a big mistake. Located near several other similar (from the outside) churches in the Via Veneto area, Our Lady of Victory is a great example of the baroque inside, heavily adorned with marble and golden sculpture. Probably well known among art historians, and Bernini fans (in addition to the previously mentioned Dan Brown fans), Santa Maria della Vittoria has a masterpiece of Bernini’s in The Ecstasy of St. Teresa. This sculpture to to the left of the main altar and is a wonder that should not be missed.

6. Santa Maria Sopra Minerva

Santa Maria Sopra Minerva is located near the Pantheon, and built over the temple of Minerva on the Campus Martius. Santa Maria is an important church for several reasons: Popes are entombed here, as is at least one saint – Catherine of Siena. In addition to the historical significance, Santa Maria also boasts Michaelangelo’s Christ the Redeemer near the main altar, as well as several other nice pieces from some spectacular artists like Bernini. The Elephant obelisk outside of the church was also done by Bernini and will tell you where to go from the Pantheon.

The altar piece by TitianSan Luigi main aisleSide pieces by Caravaggio
The altar piece by Titian
The altar piece by Titian












5. San Luigi dei Francesi

This church has one of the best collections of Renaissance art you will find anywhere. San luigi dei Francesi is probably the greatest church you’ve never heard of in Rome, this one is a treasure trove of artistic masterpieces near the Piazza Navona. Caravaggio, the Baroque master, has a series of St. Matthew paintings like the inspiration of St. Matthew, and the calling of St. Matthew. The main altar is also very striking with Bassano’s The Assumption. Art history buffs may consider this among the best and would be disappointed with it being #5 on this list.

4. San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains)

San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains), not far from the Colsseo near the Domus Aurea, is an experience that I will not soon forget. Traditionally the chains binding St. Peter are kept in house here, and not knowing this, my sister, when we visited, remarked on not knowing what was here, but felt something powerful and important nearby, later realizing that a reliquary with the chains were there. This church also holds the tomb of Pope Julius II – better known by the sculpture that it is – Michaelangelo’s Moses, an epic masterpiece. The intimidating size of the tomb and Moses leaves a big imprint on your memory. Legend has it that Michaelangelo got angry at some point during his work and threw a tool in a fit, thus chipping the knee of his Moses.

3. Santa Maria Maggiore

One of the major churches in Rome, Santa Maria Maggiore (St. Mary Major), located between Termini station and the Colosseo, not far from San Pietro in Vincoli, is one of the four major basilicas (along with St. Peter in the Vatican, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls). Santa Maria Maggiore is around 1600 years old, one of the first churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and the site of several papal burials, not to mention Bernini himself. The mix of antiquity and baroque make the interior a truly amazing spectacle. Not to be missed are the Borghese chapel and the reliquary of the crib from the nativity. If you are lucky, you will stumble upon a choral or classical music performance at various times of the day.



2. San Giovanni Laterano (St. John Lateran)

Magnificent. San Giovanni Laterano (St. John in Lateran) is a titan of a church and the cathedral of the bishop of Rome (maybe better known as the Pope). The oldest of the papal basilicas, St. John Lateran is built as and where Constantine first allowed a church to be built in Rome. The façade was redone in the Renaissance, but some of the ancient ambiance still exists in the interior. Lateran, south of the Colosseo, is an area dominated by the church and palace complex and includes a fine piazza with obelisk, and across from the square is the Scala Santa. The Scala Santa, or Holy Stairs (from the palace of Pontius Pilate) used to be located along the church, but was moved across the street to better handle the flow of pilgrims. Pilgrims continue to climb on their knees in Lateran. The church’s nave features sculptures of each of the 12 apostles and leads to the baldachin that houses, according to tradition, the heads of Ss. Peter and Paul. St. John Lateran is one of the greatest churches in the world.


1. St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican

San Pietro (St. Peter's Basilica) is the real deal. Everything about it is fantastic, from the facade to the altar. Epic church that is packed with sculpture and stands as the monument of Vatican City. This basilica is built over the tomb of St. Peter, and today stands a church built over older churches in a truly beautiful style. St. Peter’s is cavernous, a huge building that can seat close to 15,000 inside for Mass. There is too much about this place to fully list, but the architectural and artistic highlights include: dome designed by Michaelangelo, baldacchino created by Bernini, La Pieta by Michaelangelo, and much, much, more. The interior is truly breathtaking and even the scores of loud tourists do not detract from the greatness of St. Peter’s. Make sure that you apply for tickets to papal events like Easter, audiences, etc. ahead of time through your country’s church in Rome (for Americans it is Santa Susanna, near Santa Maria della Vittoria), this will help make things easy for you.