Blog 1:The Forum
So today, we met the Forum.
Admittedly, it was more of a flashback moment for me. I remember travelling here for 1 week with my 3rd year Architecture class guided by Professor Shannon Chance and standing in awe before these buildings three years ago.
A funny thing happens when you visit a place you knew long ago.
The details grow fuzzy. You remember the general as opposed to particulars except for those moments which were extraordinary or for some reason memorable. That was the case for me today. My Hampton classmates and I stood here, experiencing it all quickly, and here I am with the leisure to soak it all in. Study. Internalize. I’m grateful.
Hampton University’s Architecture program includes a 2 ½ week study trip abroad. My class went to Italy: Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan to be exact. We packed a lot of brilliant structures into three weeks, and one affect it has on me now is I remember sharply places I was touched or inspired.
While at the Forum, I was drawn to the Temple of Romulus because of the striking contrast of colors and thought this place was special. I sat down to watercolor and got lost in it. The building is beautiful and the colors are rich.
[In progress sketch]
Later, I realized I had a striking photo of this building from my Hampton trip and here it is.
The Forum is extensive and laden with a rich history. One of the most impactful experiences was learning about the Synogogue of Peace, what used to be a huuuge building. Bits of the foundation and walls still exist and it is hovering and beautiful.
[In the far left corner, and to the left of me in final picture]
Next we walked through the Emperor’s palace which was lengthy, as is fitting, and went to the adjacent museum which has some as is fitting, went to the adjacent museum which has some beautiful pieces two of my favorite’s being the
young princess
and statuette of young satyr looking at his tail, and then I had an insightful one on one session with James Sondow, where he shared the intricacies of the torso and the muscles which go within. It makes a huge difference understanding the anatomy of how the torso and abdomen fit together and then how the adjacent muscle and bones shape what you are drawing so your forms are informed. Adding another anatomy lesson to my collection.
The day ended with a beautiful view of the city.
-Roma!
