|
|
 |
|
Monumental Architecture |
|
written
by ninamil7 / 10.24.2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
| Monumental Architecture vs. the Everyday |
1 of 1 |
|
| |
Assignment |
| |
At the arrival of the Romane del Celio, our class was wisped back in time to a site of modest buildings and subtly impressive architecture. We ventured below today’s street level into an excavated site of ancient Roman middle class houses and stores. Weaving in and out of private and public spaces, you could see the differences between these spaces, and you could infer aspects about the ancient Roman citizen’s life based on such differences. For example, functionality was at the forefront of the designs for public spaces such as storefronts and interiors. The walls and floors were rather plain, and all the available space was put to use.
In the private houses, functionality remained important, but decoration also came into play. Walls were painted with frescoes depicting faux marble or men wrapped in seasonal foliage. The decoration was directly related to the function of the room. Rooms used for group prayer meetings had frescoes of men holding their hands out in a manner typical of praying. Further back in the houses there was much less decoration. The more private the space, it seemed, the less extravagant it needed to be.
The symbolism behind the simple housing can be seen to represent the Roman citizen’s humbleness towards the power under which they lived: the Roman Empire. The temples, arches, theaters, and other buildings constructed as a part of the Roman Empire engulf the comparatively tiny viewer that passes by. The power and prestige of Rome is blatantly obvious in the face of such structures. In the social hierarchy of the day, middle class citizens comprised a much lower tier than their superiors. The architecture of their living space reflects their position in society quite clearly.
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
