Annual Review 2012-13
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
THE BRITISH SCHOOL AT ROME Annual Review 2012–2013 impag pp1-17 2013 q8:papers 27/08/13 17:19 Page 1 THE BRITISH SCHOOL AT ROME Patron: HM The Queen President: HRH Princess Alexandra, the Hon. Lady Ogilvy, KG, GCVO The British School at Rome is a centre of interdisciplinary research excellence in the Mediterranean supporting the full range of arts, humanities and social sciences. We create an environment for work of international standing and impact from Britain and the Commonwealth, and a bridge into the intellectual and cultural heart of Rome and Italy. The BSR supports: ■ residential awards for visual artists and architects ■ residential awards for research in the archaeology, history, art history, society and culture of Italy and the Mediterranean ■ exhibitions, especially in contemporary art and architecture ■ a multidisciplinary programme of lectures and conferences ■ internationally collaborative research projects, including archaeological fieldwork ■ a specialist research library ■ monograph publications of research and our highly rated journal, Papers of the British School at Rome (PBSR) ■ specialist taught courses. T HE B RITISH S CHOOL AT R OME Via Gramsci 61, 00197 Rome, Italy Tel. +39 06 3264939 Fax +39 06 3221201 E-mail [email protected] www.bsr.ac.uk BSR London Office (for scholarship and publications enquiries): The BSR at The British Academy 10 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AH, UK Tel. +44 (0)20 79695202 Fax. +44 (0)20 79695401 E-mail [email protected] Registered Charity no. 314176 1 impag pp1-17 2013 q8:papers 27/08/13 17:19 Page 2 ANNUAL REVIEW 2012–2013 Chairman’s Foreword 3 Director’s Report 4 Excellence in Research 5 Humanities 5 Archaeology 8 Herculaneum Conservation Project 11 Architecture 12 Fine Arts 13 Publications 15 Sustainability 16 Support for the Humanities and Social Sciences 18 Taught Courses 18 Support for the Fine Arts 20 Library and Archive 22 Institutional Development 24 Humanities and Fine Arts Awards 26 BSR Activities 28 Publications and Exhibitions by Staff 32 Research Fellows 33 Staff 34 Council, Subcommittees and Honorary Fellows 35 Financial Report 36 Members of the BSR 38 Illustration Acknowledgements Cover: In The World, 2012, by Rebecca Ross, Australia Council Resident 2012. Photograph by Claudio Abate. Pages 4–5: photographs by Sophie Hay. Pages 6–7: photographs by Rebecca Gill and Sophie Hay. Pages 8–9: photographs by Simon Keay/Portus Project and Robert Gardner/BSR Archive; image by Matthew Berry. Pages 10–1: photographs by Francesco Maria Cifarelli and Akhet/HCP. Page 12: photograph by Claudio Abate. Pages 14–5: photographs by Claudio Abate and Jonathan Baldock. Page 19: photograph by Antonella Parisi. Page 21: photography by Maja Daniels. Page 22: photograph by Carlo Baldassarre Simelli/BSR Archive. Page 24: photograph by Mary Ellen Mathewson. Page 27: photography by Gregor Borg. Page 31: photograph by Natalie Arrowsmith. 2 impag pp1-17 2013 q8:papers 27/08/13 17:19 Page 3 CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD Visitors to the British School at Rome quickly discern that the apparent timelessness of its façade disguises an institution that is both entirely modern in attitude and dynamic in approach. This review provides compelling evidence of the quality and diversity of the BSR’s recent achievements: the activities of the outstanding scholars and artists from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth who made the BSR their home last year; the receptions, conferences and lectures which form an increasingly significant aspect of Rome’s cultural and academic life; the impressive output of publications and the remarkable partnerships between British and Italian archaeologists. Central to this wide engagement are the Library, a precious research resource not restricted only to scholars resident at the BSR, and our elegantly functional Lecture Theatre. A very few years ago, the significant erosion of our income resulting from exchange rate movements, recession and retrenchment, all beyond the BSR’s control, made it seem most unlikely that we would be able to sustain the degree of activity described in these pages. A cut of over one quarter in revenue within a year would be difficult for any institution to withstand. Strong leadership has successfully changed these circumstances. The deft and skilful implementation by the director of a more economical organisational structure and the decisive initiative to launch a development programme under the leadership of the director and Mary Ellen Mathewson, which has already increased the membership, annual giving and support for residencies, accompanied by some improvement in the sterling - euro exchange rate, have entirely redressed the imbalance in the BSR’s finances. Most importantly, the magnificent, positive response of the staff to these changed circumstances and their strong commitment to the institution, for which we are all most grateful, have raised morale to a high level. The strength of this performance was recognised in the positive report of the representatives of the British Academy following their visit at the end of 2012. We know that as time goes by, an ever greater proportion of our revenues must be drawn from sources other than public funds. Council is committed to extending our initial successes in pursuing new alternatives. We are fortunate that the very high reputation of the BSR in British and Commonwealth academic circles has encouraged contributions from trusts and foundations with a special interest in the fields we cover. Our challenge however is to move beyond this, to establish a much wider familiarity with the BSR amongst the general public in the United Kingdom, to nurture appreciation of the excellence of the institution and the opportunities it offers talented young persons, and thereby to create a deeper and wider pool of potential financial support. So this review looks forward as well as back. The Sustainable Building Project described below will not only secure the fabric for the long term, but will enable us to meet environmental goals and dramatically reduce annual running costs. We shall also seek further strategic partnerships among universities, museums and galleries in the United Kingdom to encourage participation in our programmes and to create future opportunities at home for our award-holders. Governance of the British School at Rome and oversight of its scholarly and artistic programmes is vested in the Council and faculties, which comprise individuals with wide-ranging experience and recognised professional standing, knowledge and skills, who provide, on an entirely voluntary basis, valuable advice and support to the BSR, its director and staff. I have no doubt that as the next few years unfold, there will be yet greater calls on those who so generously serve these bodies. On behalf of the institution as a whole, I would like to salute and thank all Council and faculty members for their exceptional contributions. Tim Llewellyn Chairman of Council 3 impag pp1-17 2013 q8:papers 27/08/13 17:19 Page 4 DIRECTOR’S REPORT Strong institutions adapt to survive, and the BSR has shown a good deal of flexibility in recent times. In many ways, the news we have is good. This year’s Annual Review ends by showing a good financial result for the year, which has permitted us to undertake two really important projects. First, we have begun the process of finding a new design and style for the whole range of our communications, with the help of Council member Jane Wentworth and the design team Praline, and the results of this will become visible in 2013–14. This will enable us to be more coherent and professional in the way we present ourselves. Second, we have commissioned Italian architects Studio Amati and the internationally renowned firm ARUP to work with Studio Garofalo Miura, who have a long history with the BSR, to help us prepare for the Sustainable Building Project. Our research activities remain of the highest quality, whether that be our publications, our events in Rome or London, or the work and achievements of our award-holders. The British Academy commended us in a review this year for our work; and the Arts and Humanities Research Council drew attention in its strategic plan to the relationship between the University of Southampton and the British School at Rome, as a case study in international partnerships. BSR award-holders continue to win prizes, find positions and gain admiration for their work. The flow of publications, prizes and exhibitions that we celebrate on our social media pages is unending, and shows the value of the work of the faculties in appointing the best artists and scholars. When we began to think about the BSR in the context of our brand review, we used the opportunity to think hard about our core values. We are committed to support but also to provide an intellectual challenge to those who come to the BSR. We recognise the value of our traditions, but we also value our role as an institution deeply engaged with the contemporary world, and producing research that is at the forefront of scientific endeavour. Our adherence to some key core values is what is helping us through a period of significant staff change, and in 2012–13 Alice Bygraves, Alvise di Giulio, and Maria Pia Malvezzi moved to take up new challenges and directions. We wish them well, as we do Elly Murkett, who is also leaving us. She has edited the Annual Review since 2003 and we thank her warmly for the work she has done. More sadly, this year the BSR lost two old friends, David Whitehouse (Director, 1984–94) and Charles Mason (Rome Scholar in the Fine Arts 1996–7). Their work and lives Lutyens Trust members unveil the BSR name plaque on their October 2012 visit to Rome enriched us, and we 4 impag pp1-17 2013 q8:papers 27/08/13 17:19 Page 5 DIRECTOR’S REPORT are deeply grateful for the time they spent with us.