Urban Theatricality: Via dei Banchi Nouvi
Cornell University - Rome, Italy
Prof. Paolo Alei
ART 3802 Fall 2011
The studyof natural phenomena, particularly light and optics, was one of the primeinterests of Baroque scholars. In particular, Galileo Galilei's discoveries in the field of optics and visual perception not only stimulated the exploration of the micro and the macro (i.e. the cosmos and the humancell), but also allowed for new explorations in art andarchitecture. This happened within the context of a greater agenda of Renovatio Urbis—one in which publicspace was re-evaluated to incorporate ideas of perspectival distortion, and theoverall the elasticity of architecture.Indeed, this was the origin of a new sensibility in the perception of space.
Examplesof this abound in Rome—perhaps most notably in Bernini’s design for Piazza SanPietro—but also in a series of more subtle urban moments in the dense fabric ofthe city. One of these instances is at the Viadei Banchi Nuovi, a small stretch of the Papal Way on the northern end ofthe Campus Martius. This street exemplifies the way in which ideas of theatricality and the unfolding of time permeated urban designduring the Baroque. Keeping these concepts in mind, Borromini’s bell tower at Piazza del Orologio seems to graduallybecome revealed and aligned on axis with the viewer. As one approaches it, thetower subtly appears to move and become concealed behind the fabric of thecity, revealing a small Christian icon on the corner of the building.
Thisproject aims to graphically portray the idea of movement as perceived by theviewers approaching Piazza dell’Orologio. First, a stop-motion sequence wasshot on-site to document the gradual motion of Borromini’s belltower and icon.Subsequently, each frame in the film was dissected and analyzed—isolating thesetwo elements as they become unveiled/concealed. The final product is a graphicoverlay of these images, allowing you to perceive the motion of these twoelements simultaneously, thus providing a visual construct that portrays the idea of the unfolding oftime and space in Baroque urban design.
Examplesof this abound in Rome—perhaps most notably in Bernini’s design for Piazza SanPietro—but also in a series of more subtle urban moments in the dense fabric ofthe city. One of these instances is at the Viadei Banchi Nuovi, a small stretch of the Papal Way on the northern end ofthe Campus Martius. This street exemplifies the way in which ideas of theatricality and the unfolding of time permeated urban designduring the Baroque. Keeping these concepts in mind, Borromini’s bell tower at Piazza del Orologio seems to graduallybecome revealed and aligned on axis with the viewer. As one approaches it, thetower subtly appears to move and become concealed behind the fabric of thecity, revealing a small Christian icon on the corner of the building.
Thisproject aims to graphically portray the idea of movement as perceived by theviewers approaching Piazza dell’Orologio. First, a stop-motion sequence wasshot on-site to document the gradual motion of Borromini’s belltower and icon.Subsequently, each frame in the film was dissected and analyzed—isolating thesetwo elements as they become unveiled/concealed. The final product is a graphicoverlay of these images, allowing you to perceive the motion of these twoelements simultaneously, thus providing a visual construct that portrays the idea of the unfolding oftime and space in Baroque urban design.
