August 2007 Archives

The interview is in Italian only:

Sort of a hit and run piece from the Telegraph

"Rome recently allowed Valentino, a fashion designer, to throw a party around the Ara Pacis, a gleaming white marble altar from 13bc celebrating Augustus's victories in Spain and France. He also erected a tacky resin temple to showcase his frocks in the middle of the Forum. The city even wanted a company to wrap an advertisement around the outside of the Colosseum, but failed to find a bidder with deep enough pockets. The result is that nine tenths of the building is too decayed to visit."

There is more, about how Italians don't pay taxes, Venice is smelly and crowded, etc. - but I think the overall issue is far greater than just an Italian one and is over simplified in such a short piece. The new museum building is a showcase and was built for such attractions. The photos from the Valentino show are stunning, with the juxtaposition of the gowns on the dozens of mannequins against the backdrop of the altar itself.

There are problems in Italy, and problems with mass global tourism everywhere. I think I am just getting tired of the complaints. Let's see some new ideas about how to change the course from the people that are so unhappy with it.