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ROME BY LIGHT
See the Eternal City in a whole new light—literally. Tiffany Parks explains.
Wandering through the ruins of Ancient Rome, it’s impossible not to for one of the most important ancient sites in the city, the Imperial Fora. wonder what it must have looked like when it was new, before the The fora that line the north side of the now-pedestrian-only Via dei Fori ravages of time had sown their destructive work. It’s natural to wish to Imperiali, namely those of Augustus, Nerva, and Trajan, are illuminated as be able to travel back through history to see these monuments in all never before, thanks to a system of high-precision yet low-energy LED their original glory. However, modern day denizens and visitors to Rome lights. Storaro used his legendary artistic vision, along with help from his ar- can take advantage of something their ancient counterparts couldn’t chitect daughter Francesca Storaro, to create a scene that is worthy of any have imagined in their wildest dreams: the magnificent sites illuminated Hollywood epic. Visitors can appreciate the delicate bas-reliefs on the 2nd- by dramatic shafts of light that render them even more evocative and century AD column of Trajan, perhaps the most eye-popping sight in the mysterious. When lit by the glow only modern technology can provide, area, in greater detail than ever before possible, or see Augustus’ Temple a crumbling temple, the walls of an imperial palace, or a row of marble of Mars surrounded by a halo of light, Storaro’s concept for a symbol of columns reaching toward the heavens, create a chiaroscuro master- the “pax romana,” or the peace Augustus brought to the empire. Enjoy an piece worthy of Caravaggio. So put off your sightseeing until after dark, evening stroll through this magical space that, just over a year ago, was a when the power of electricity makes Rome truly eternal. chaotic, traffic-clogged thoroughfare.
CINEMATOGRAPHIC CITY THE COLOSSEUM IN THE MOONLIGHT It’s not surprising that some of the most iconic and visually arresting The Colosseum is considered one of the most haunted places in the films of all time have been shot in Rome. The Eternal City’s art and world, no doubt due to the dizzying numbers of people who lost their monuments—ancient and otherwise—create a backdrop that can take lives there—usually in exceedingly gruesome ways. In the late 19th any scene from lackluster to extraordinary. century, it was a popular place for nighttime This is doubly the case when a genius cin- visits, particularly for curious “Grand Tour” ematographer like Vittorio Storaro is behind travelers like Daisy Miller, the heroine of Henry HINI the camera. Three-time Oscar-winner for his James’ eponymous novella. But since it was C ES work on films Apocalypse Now, Reds, and The transformed from an abandoned ruin into C Last Emperor, Storaro has been listed as one one of the world’s most visited archeologi- of the ten most influential cinematogra- cal sites in the early 20th century, visiting the phers in the history of film by the Inter- interior of this massive monument after dark national Cinematographers Guild. One of has simply not been an option. Until recently. NDREA FRAN NDREA
Storaro’s greatest passions is his native city, For the past few years, the Colosseum has A in particular, its ancient monuments. been opening its doors after hours during the I / © P In an exciting new project, Storaro warmer months in order to give visitors the opportunity to see the Colosseum in a whole
has designed an innovative lighting system C_PA
10 WHERE ROME I JUNE 2015 new light. On a daytime visit during the heat include the Forum of Caesar as well. Journal- of high summer, the magnificent arena can ist Piero Angela and physicist Paco Lanciano feel like nothing so much as an over-crowded, are the masterminds behind this captivating scorching dust bowl. Now, evening guided project, making it possible to take a virtual trip group tours give eager visitors a completely back in time to the Rome of the Caesars. The different Colosseum experience, as well as an experience begins with a walk through an unforgettable night. ancient underground tunnel that leads to the The 75-minute tour begins on the usually off-limits archeological sites—a tunnel arena floor—a normally inaccessible area— that is open to visitors for the first time since it where visitors can peer down into the eerie was excavated in the last century. underground cavities of the hypogeum and Each emperor’s forum was the gaze up at the succession of arches that make physical representation of his power, incorpo- up the perimeter of the monument, rendered rating a temple to a divinity particularly im- even more evocative by the dramatic lighting. portant to the respective emperor within the The guides recount the history of the great structure. The Forum of Julius Caesar, located amphitheater, from the famous gladiatorial south of Via dei Fori Imperiali near the Curia duels to the wild beast hunts, as well as details Iulia, was inaugurated in 46 BC, just two years of the architecture. Next, visitors head under- before Caesar’s untimely death. In addition to ground to tour the narrow passageways where the marvelous columned portico, the forum gladiators and animals once waited before contained the Temple of Venus Genetrix, a meeting their fate on the arena floor, utilizing goddess Caesar claimed was one of his own primitive elevators that lifted them from the ancestors. Augustus’ Forum, on the opposite hypogeum to the bloody stage above. The side of the street, boasted the Temple of Mars visit culminates with a view from the Colos- the Avenger, a sanctuary that was considered seum’s highest accessible level, where a pan- in its time to be “greater than any in existence.” orama that includes the Arch of Constantine, Completed in 2 BC, the temple was concep- the Temple of Venus and Roma, and the slopes tualized by Augustus after he successfully of the Palatine Hill awaits, all lit vividly against avenged his great-uncle Caesar, killing his the indigo sky. assassins Brutus and Cassius in 42 BC. Cutting- edge multi-media effects recreate the original appearance of the forum, projecting images Virtual Time Travel directly onto the ancient walls to give viewers The Imperial Fora are getting more than just lit a visual understanding of what the sites were up this summer. The digital multi-media show truly like in their heyday. Meanwhile, the grip- that was launched last year at the Forum of Au- ping narrative of Piero Angelo (translated into gustus in honor of 2000 years since the great one of eight languages by way of personal emperor’s death, is back with a vengeance. In earphones), leads audience members on this fact, the project has now been expanded to unique journey into the past.
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