Hum 225: Art and Culture of Rome (last journal)

Journal Prompt: How does art happen?

Having visited different places such as: Venice, Rome, Florence, Paris, and Dublin; I have been able to see a tremendous amount or art. For me, the majority of the art is fascinating and mind blowing. It has always amazed me how artists have always been able to create a moment that looks real. While I have an interest in art, my artistic abilities are limited and poor. However the time spent with Gina was eye opening in a sense.

Many of the art classes I have taken through middle school on up have simply involved studying paintings and taking tests. Very rarely have I been given the opportunity to take class time and learn how to draw besides when I was in grade school. Therefore, being able to sit down and simply be free when it came to the engraving project last week was a neat experience. I can remember being completely dumbfounded on where to start and even how to create some of the angles, shades, and shapes with the one tool we had. While it was hard beginning the project, as time went on different ideas began popping up in my head. It also helped that Gina came over and showed me how to help bring the flowers to life by making close, straight lines to create the shade existing on the petals. After I was finished with the picture I was drawing, I began to think of what else I could do. I ended up making a bunch of random designs that helped complete the picture, which also eliminated the empty space surrounding the flower.

This randomness that comes to me is usually what happens to me every day. No offense should be taken to this next comment, but many times during class I will find myself scribbling, making bubbles, or drawing replica schemes of Pac-Man. I know it is weird, but sometimes I will zone out and thirty minutes later I snap back and realize my notes page is covered by drawings instead of notes. Obviously, I should be paying attention, but this shows how I simply start from making something simple then it all become sporadic. This was definitely inherited from my older brother who was ten times worse, so I’ll put the blame on him.

Essentially, art can be configured in many different ways such as: tracing, looking at an object, slightly altering a picture, or transforming something through your imagination. For me, I simply like to start from a basic picture, and then go from there. So I like to have a beginning picture in my mind, and then I use my imagination and creativity to make whatever comes to me. Most of the time it ends up a bunch of scribbles or doodles, but every once and a while something cool pops up. If I tried to visualize a picture and draw it, I could guarantee it would not come out looking anything like it should. Therefore, I it can’t be judge since it is solely from my mind.

theo 314 9-23

Journal Prompt: Jews, Gypsies, North Africans and Mexicans

At the end of our class on Thursday, we had a discussion concerning the immigration law in Arizona and immigration in the United States. This has always been touchy topic, and still is today. Many believe that all immigrants should be treated as a part of the society while others strongly believe that illegal immigrants should be deported. I believe that it is most definitely an advantage to have immigration because it not only diversifies the population, but it also assists with innovations and technological advancement. However, I strongly believe that illegal immigrants do not deserve the right to stay within the country, and should be deported.

Legal Immigrants all over the world are helping and assisting their new countries in developing and boosting the economy. As we saw with Monsignor’s presentation with immigration in Italy, all different kinds of people are coming to Italy, and they are essentially making what is Italy’s economy today. He also showed the statistic of how crime has not risen as fast as the population, which is a major factor in immigration issues. Along with the presentation, I have seen many examples within the United States in which immigration is needed. This next comment is not intended to be stereotypical but when you take a look at Doctors, Dentists, or Software Engineers many of them are Indian or Asian. While many are not immigrants, a good portion of the immigrants hold these professions, and this shows the effect that immigration can have in helping our society and economy. On the website I have listed below, Chris Farrel gave the following numbers, “In 2007…62 percent of foreign-born nationals who received a science or engineering doctorate remained in the U.S. for at least five years following graduation. More than 80 percent of graduates of Indian origin and 90 percent of Chinese graduates still lived in America five years after graduation, according to McKinsey (1).” He gave many other statistics throughout his column that were shocking. Lastly, immigrants not only help with professional jobs, but assist in innovations and technological improvement. These reasons are why legal immigrants are important and vital part of any country.

Even though I have much respect for legal immigration, the same cannot be said for illegal immigrants. First, the word illegal is defined as forbidden by law or statue. This in turn means that did have the right to enter the country in the first place and did so otherwise with no respect to the laws of that country. Secondly, illegal immigrants do not impact the country like legal immigrants. Many of these immigrants are uneducated and end up having a negative impact on our country by forming gangs and increasing crime or working under the table for extremely low wages and taking jobs from the rest of the public. Of course, not every illegal immigrant is doing one of the two, but the majority can be put into one of the two categories. Therefore, I feel as though illegal immigrants should be sought out in a reasonable manner and deported. This way stereotypes and discrimination will diminish since the illegal immigrants are not as existent, and legal immigrants can live in peace.


As you can tell, I have a lot of respect for those immigrants who have attained proper documents to go into another country and be productive to society. However, when it comes to illegal immigrants, my attitude completely shifts. In my opinion, they increase crime rates, steal jobs from others, and create a negative image upon immigrants in general. Obviously, it would inhibit people’s right if anyone could be stopped by the police if they were found suspicious of being illegal, but something needs to be done in countries that have a problem with illegal immigrants. Most likely it will be a ruling that is controversial, but in the end will ultimately improve conditions within that country.


1. http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/jul2010/pi2010079_863838.html

Hum 325- Rome: Stories and Traditions 9-22

Journal Prompt: The Pope’s address on Easter and Christmas always begins, “ Urbi et Orbi” - “To the City of Rome and to the World.” The term “Roman Catholic” also suggests that there is something “roman” and something “universal” about the Church. In what sense is the Church “roman” and in what sense is it “global?”

If this questioned would have been presented to me before I embarked upon my trip to Rome, I would have had no idea how answer this question. However, the past six weeks I have had the privilege of experiencing Rome, and it is very evident how the church is “roman” and “universal”. Simply take a look at the tours we have taken this semester and topics we have studied. Rome is a placed filled with history of various religions, especially, Catholicism.

Before coming to Rome, I knew the city was a place filled with marvelous ruins and an abundance of history. What I did not realize was how much of the city was filled with religious ruins or even churches that are still standing today. If I were to list the all the churches that we have seen or visited so far, I could easily create a full page worth. Because of this, I can tell that Rome was very much a religious city, and as we study the timeline I can see the evolution from Paganism to Christianity to Catholicism. I am simply saying that history of Catholicism is what makes the church Roman. Take the past week for example. We visited the Vatican City, and we got to see the burial place of St. Peter, St. Peter’s Basilica, and an address by the Pope. All of the churches, history, and relevance of the Pope allow us to realize the depth of Catholicism in Rome. Simply put, Rome is the heart of Catholicism.

Now to express what I think is universal about the Church. As I sat and listened to speeches given by the Pope and his Cardinals, it was easy to distinguish what is universal about the church, which would be its beliefs. Think about how many different languages were spoken at the address or think about all the different schools and people represented from different countries. Being able to see people of all different backgrounds come together for one reason, really gave me a visual perspective on how widespread Catholicism is. Yes, I knew it was a worldwide religion, but having lived in a box my whole life, the United States, I was never really able to get a true understanding of the influence of the Catholic Church.

My adventures through Rome and Italy have helped me in gaining a better understanding and perspective on the Catholic Church. I would go as far as saying that today was the ultimate eye opening experience on the history and relevance of Catholicism in Rome along with the universal nature of the religion. Seeing the Pope today sparked a feeling I never thought imaginable considering the fact I am not Catholic or even Christian but agnostic. Ultimately my study abroad trip and mainly the past week and a half have given me insight as to how the Church is “roman” and “universal.”

Hum 225: Art and Culture of Rome 9-16

Baldacchino
St. Peter’s Basilica
Dark Bronze

The Baldacchino cannot be missed when you walk into St. Peter’s Basilica. In fact, this is most likely the first object that your eyes will be attracted. It sits in the middle of the basilica covering the papal altar right under Michelangelo’s dome. The pillars leading up to the covering are covered in gold vines/ leave, and on top there are angels on the corners with two baby angels in the middle of one side. Of course there are many details that have been incorporated into the Baldacchino to make it stick out.

Looking at the two baby angels we can see one holding two keys and the other in the air holding the crown creating the part of the Papal coat of arms. Even though the shield has been excluded, it is still obvious that this is part of the coat of arms, which is standing right over the papal altar. The more interesting part of this structure is that fact that everything has to do with angels. As I mentioned before, there are angels on each corner along with the two baby angels. All along the side of the covering are objects representing heaven or angels. I believe this could be symbolic of St. Peter’s ascendance to heaven.


Last Judgment
Sistine Chapel
Fresco
In this piece of art, the space is easy to identify. For the Last Judgment, there are seven different sections that I picked out. The following are the seven: hell or the bottom, the in between where there is a mixture of people from hell and the middle level, the very center where Jesus is, then there are two on the outside of the space with Jesus, then there are two at the very top on the left and right. All of these spaces are separated by the blue sky, which are sort of like paths separating the spaces.

In the artwork, all of the objects including the people and clouds were drawn with wavy lines. This makes the piece look very busy and active. With the color, Michelangelo did a very interesting job of using the color. At the bottom, he used cool colors to depict the horrible nature of hell. To create a sense of life in the middle section, he used a good amount of neutral colors such as white and tan. Then at the very top Michelangelo mainly used red, a warm color, which maybe was to distinguish another level of people.

As far as the medium, the Last Judgment was a fresco. The light in the picture helps make Jesus the center of attention. There is also a skyline between hell and the other level that was created using light, which assists in creating the separation between the two. Lastly, the composition of the Last Judgment was Medieval.

Theo 314 9-12

What is the impact of the ghetto (in both the old sense and a contemporary sense) on the people inside and the people outside?

The impact of the ghetto in the old sense compared to the contemporary sense is truly astonishing. The two times are practically polar opposites when it comes to their impact. Think of it in this sense. Say you were to study or have a lecture over the Jewish Ghetto or a Concentration Camp, you would have an empty feeling in your stomach or a sense of despair and anguish. Now think about visiting these two places present day. A concentration camp would still prove to erect the same feeling; however, this area of the Jewish Ghetto is uplifting in the fact it has transformed into a magnificent historic landmark through its reconstruction and the synagogue.

When the Jewish Ghetto was actively being used to house the Jews of Rome, there were only five or six gates in which people could enter, and the Tiber River flowed around the outside parts of the Ghetto. This created an imprisonment of Jews because they could only exit when the gates were opened. In addition, the river was right next to the Ghetto making the Jews more susceptible to diseases. So for the Jews inside, the ghetto was arguably a prison that had poor living conditions. However, for the people outside, the ghetto could be seen as a sense of control. Rules and laws were created to govern the way Jews lived such as the mandatory attendance of Christian services and the required clothing attire. This not only singled out Jews but forced upon them the Christian religion. Obviously, the goal of the government was to single out the Jews, segregate them, and prevent them from creating a good life for themselves.

As I walked the streets and remembered our class lesson, I was shocked at how the present day area of the ghetto was completely reversed. Today, after it has been rebuilt, it is a place of luxury to live. While many Jews do not live here anymore, the fact that the area is now a premier living space for famous musicians, actresses, and painters. The people living here are still able to experience Jewish culture through the dozens of restaurants and businesses. So while the whole complex of the area has changed, it is still easy to see the remnants of the Jewish culture. For the people outside of this area, a role reversal has been achieved. It is almost as if this area attracts people to it or controls them because of the historic landmark it has been made into today. Instead of people never looking to come into the ghetto, like the past, people are flocking to the area to gain an understanding of what life was like for the thousands upon thousands of Jews who lived here. The fact that we were able to walk around the Ghetto in maybe fifteen minutes astounds me when you think about the population of the area.

For the city of Rome to be able to create the area of the Jewish Ghetto into a place of high end living and magnificence is truly amazing considering the history. Most places which contain the history of a place like this would most likely be desolate and recreate a picture of the horrific moments, but for me the transformation brought up the ending of the entrapment for the Jews. Essentially, it allowed me to reflect upon the positive actions that were taken in ending the Jewish Ghetto instead of reliving the misery that might have been experienced.

Hum 325- Rome: Stories and Traditions 9-6-10

How does the piazza provide a lens toward Italian Culture?

When I look at Italian culture, I can see much of it represented in the various piazzas we have visited. Whether it is by the espresso, fountains, churches, or simply people resting on the steps, they all paint a picture of what Italian culture consists of. To be honest, today was the first time I stopped to think about the piazzas, and I was able to dissect the various aspects to see how they paint a picture of Italian culture.

Almost every street I walk down in Italy there will be a gelato or espresso shop. It is almost as if gelato and espresso are the Italians drugs. I, myself, am slowly becoming addicted to the gelato; however, the espresso doesn’t hit the spot like the gelato. These shops usually rest on the outskirts of the piazza. If we want to take a deeper look into Italian culture, all we must do is look at the fountains with obelisks on top. This dives into the heart of Italian culture because it is what makes Italy so magnificent. Nowhere else is there a place so rich of history other than Italy and more specifically Rome. Italians pride themselves on what has taken place in their country over the years. Everyday Italians pass a piece of history everyday; therefore, it has been incorporated into their culture.

What I notice more than anything in these piazzas are the annoying merchants trying to sell us fake merchandise. Coming here I was continuously warned about the gypsies and being pick pocketed. Not until I got here and began walking around the city was I informed about these people, and they definitely push my buttons, especially, the guys with the roses who interrupt dinner or tours. Because of the tremendous amount tourism, these merchants have found that business here can be good and have simply forced themselves into a part of Italian culture.

Of course, I can’t forget about the religious monuments or buildings that are at every piazza. Religion has been a huge part of Italy ever since the era of the Romans. The adoption of Christianity by Constantine essentially started the road for what religion has become in present day Italy. Lastly, as everyone has talked about, you will always see people relaxing on the steps at these piazzas or at nearby restaurants. The Italians are notorious for relaxed and laid back except for when they are driving. Nothing is a better look into how Italians take in the moment and enjoy the scenery around them than when we are at these piazzas.

The first couple weeks when we visited piazzas I simply marveled at the structures and the layout. Today was the first day I tried to take more from the piazzas such as how they reflect Italian culture. When I stopped and looked around, it was easy to see how many aspects of the piazzas provide a snapshot of what Italian culture is.

Theo 314- 9/2

In what way is Giorgio Perlasca an “Authentic Italian Hero?” What does “Authentic Hero” mean to me?

Giorgio Perlasca once served for the Mussolini and the Italian Army in the thirties. After his time in the army, he returned home opposed to the fascist government Mussolini was running. In 1940, Perlasca, now working for a meat importing business, was sent to Hungary to do business for the Italian Army. This is where his life took a dramatic turn (1).

In September of 1943, Italy signed an armistice with Germany, which ordered all Italians to return home. Giorgio Perlasca refused to do this since he was against the Nazi’s and his countries fascists views. From here on out, Giorgio unknowingly began one of the greatest conquests during World War II. Time and time again, he put his life in risk to save the Jews. At one point , he began using the Spanish Embassy to house the Jews he was saving. He was able to do this by an elaborate scheme he created when he heard the embassy was going to be moved. Essentially, Giorgio Perlasca was an “Authentic Hero” by his willingness to stand up and do what was necessary no matter what the situation was. He openly opposed his own country and the Nazi’s while risking his life for people he did not know.

To me, an “Authentic Hero” could be wide variety of people depending on the situation. All that one needs to do to be an Authentic Hero is the right thing. One of the first situations that came to me was the story I saw on the news regarding a woman falling onto railroad tracks in a subway. The woman had been feeling lightheaded and simple fainted onto the tracks in front of an oncoming train. A man jumped down in front of the train and tried to lift the woman up onto the platform. He was unsuccessful, so he pulled the woman in between the 1st and 2nd tracks hoping the trains would pass over her. Thankfully, they did, but what made this guy even more of an Authentic Hero was the fact he simply walked away after he rescued the woman. Three days later, after the woman got out of the hospital, she talked to local news reporters and asked the man to come forward, which he did a couple days later. The fact that this man risked his own life for someone he never knew and simply walked off without asking for any attention or compensation is the prime example of an Authentic Hero.

On another level, I would consider my parents, grandparents, aunt, and cousin all Authentic Heroes. For six years they have taken care of Hunter, my cousin’s son, who has cerebal palsy. His mother will see him once or twice a week, but will rarely keep him overnight. This isn’t a problem though because my whole family is more than willing to help out. However, since he is six, there is a problem with being able to move him around. Only my cousin and aunt can pick him up, but often my grandparents will overexert themselves trying to take care of him when everyone else is working. While it has been hard and stressful for everyone, we never wish that it would have turned out differently. Hunter has made our family closer and forced us all to become more responsible and thankful.

All in all an Authentic Hero must be willing to make sacrifices without wanting anything in return. Their actions speak for themselves, and they do not wish to make the front headlines of the paper. It is an act of courage, will, and unselfishness. That is what makes an “Authentic Hero” to me.


1. http://www.answers.com/topic/giorgio-perlasca