The Gods and the Machines

It all starded almost 20 years ago, when a collection of statues from the Musei Capitolini in Rome was moved on a temporary basis, to allow refurbishment works, to the halls of a former power plant in the Ostiense area no longer in use for its original purpose. The marble works of art actually never left since, and the Centrale Montemartini represents a unique place where, as opposite to Tate Modern, the original machinery is still present and well preserved, so you can walk on the original tile mosaic floors, through boilers, turbines and engines, and spot here and there pieces of the Roman and Italian heritage. Certainly one of my favourite “secret” places in Rome.

On The High Line on a Sunday Morning

Walking on The High Line, on a Sunday morning, makes you feel easy 😉

The eclectic Munich

There is a lot to see and do in a city with multiple souls: neoclassical architecture, art, river surfing, design and technology.

Getting higher

Built at the end of the Sixties, the Fernsehturm (tv tower) is still the place to go to get as close as possible to the sky over Berlin. As in a classic sci-fi film, its Sputnik-shaped top and the interior brings you back to the Space Race with a hint of our vision of the future back then.

Am Brandenburger Tor

It may just be a pretty ordinary neoclassical triumphal arch as many others, but standing in front of the Brandenburg Gate and then walking through its columns is a strong emotional journey through the XX Century history.

Late at Tate

I love museum late openings, it feels like the place is open exclusively for you; there are normally few people around and everyone feels free to express themselves in a natural way.

(still) Panem et circenses

In the contemporary “panem et circenses” (bread and games) scenario, people deserve the proper arenas to support the new gladiators. A notable one is certainly the Allianz Arena in Munich, which, with its rubber boat/car tyre shape, has become a city landmark. It can host up to 75,000 people with excellent view for everyone. What impressed me, obviously beyond the architectural elements and design, it is the size and variety of the permanent food stalls which are placed in the belly of the structure and run around its entire perimeter. Of course it is no longer “panem” but rather pizza, bratwurst and bier 🙂

Fragments of beauty in the night of the light

As part of the initiatives included in the programme of La Notte della Luce (the Night of the Light), an event organized by the students of the University of Genova to celebrate the summer solstice, guided visits to Palazzo Balbi-Senarega, which hosts the Department of Humanistic Studies, were offered to the general public, while in the courtyard acting performances were taking place. The beauty of the place and the magic atmosphere made it a special night.

I happened to be there by chance so I unfortunately didn’t have my camera with me, but I had my phone, and is it not true that the best camera is always the one you have with you? 🙂

Destiny of a parking lot

Formerly a parking lot, El Nacional is now a trendy space just off Passeig de Gracia, with a 30ish atmosphere recreated by interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán, which hosts a number of food areas offering quality food and drink. If you are in Barcelona and happen to be around there, I would recommend to pop in, even only for a quick look.

Sert for Maeght

The Fondation Maeght is an idyllic place where you can spend a few hours enjoying great works of art created by some of the major modern and contemporary artists. The building was designed by the Catalan architect Josep Lluís Sert and shares a lot of shapes and concepts with the Fundació Joan Miró in Barcelona (see also my other post Sert for Mirò). It is certainly a place of the Soul.