The 13.5 foot by 9 foot drawing of the Fontana dei Libri (Fountain of the Books) was produced in 6 inch squares under the direction of Professor Jaime Correa. The squares were randomly given to 14 students in the Rome Studio; each student produced 35 non-consecutive tonal squares. Correa and students documented the creative and production processes with a unique performance video and multiple photos for future exhibition purposes.
Students who worked on the drawing are Kamilah Acebal, Jeffrey Adler, Alberto Alfaro, Carolyn Anderson, Taylor Brophy, Lok Chan, Sophie Doughty, Joshua Durkee, Erron Estrado, Quincy Ikler, Daniel Jones, Nathalie Loventhal, Tyler Many and Jessica Stefanick.
“This is another example of the concept on “non-linear dynamics” in action,” Correa said. Non-linear dynamics is Correa’s term for the process of combining many versions and variations of the same plan or drawing, produced by teams working together, and creating a final result agreeable to everyone.
Students enjoyed the non-traditional means of creating the super-sized drawing. “I liked working individually knowing that I had a larger responsibility with the collective,” said Quincy Ikler. “I was forced to focus on details while realizing that my contribution was part of a larger picture.”
“This drawing required a lot of collaboration and coordination,” said Tyler Many. “However, my favorite part was going back to hand drawing.”
“I liked the idea of not having a single author. Nobody’s square was more important than anyone else’s,” said Carolyn Anderson.
Matteo Costanzo, a partner in the world-renowned architectural firm 2A+P/A, reviewed the work of the students in Rome on December 9 as a guest juror. He drew a parallel between the results of their work and that of the Italian Tendenza – particularly the concept of the “Analogous City” made famous by Aldo Rossi and Carlo Aymonino; he also mentioned the metaphysical work of the group Superstudio, as well as the work of Guy Debord and the Situationist International, an international organization made up avant-garde artists, intellectuals and political theorists in Europe from 1957 to 1972.
“This work establishes a new method for the understanding of the city as an incremental work of art,” Costanzo said.
“This semester’s work in Rome is a mirror to the core of our Rome curriculum, which has to do with finding, looking, observing and analyzing through drawing,” said Carmen Guerrero, Director of the Rome Program. “Our students return with a more keen awareness of place and details that characterize places.”
As an homage to Costanzo’s work, the students produced 98 miniature black on white drawings (1.5” squares) in the tradition of San Rocco Magazine. “I am moved by this amazing production and congratulate the school, the faculty, and its students for giving us a new manifesto and for their commitment to the city and its architecture,” Costanzo said. “Traditionally, students from America come to Rome and do not produce any work; they just walk around the city. In this case, I see that you’ve managed to walk around and produce very good work at the same time.”
The Fontana dei Libri was designed by Pietro Lombardi and built in travertine in 1927. The head of a deer, the symbol of the district the fountain is in, is represented in a niche crowned by an arch with the inscription SPQR, surrounded by four ancient books, in honor of the ancient University della Sapienza.
Founded in 1991 and directed by Carmen Guerrero, the Rome Program brings together a select group of upper level students and faculty members for an intensive experience in design, theory, and history of architecture. Travel within Italy during each semester is a key component of the coursework, in addition to a special field trip outside the Italian peninsula. The curriculum consists of design and drawing courses, lectures, workshops, guided walking tours, and field trips. Course topics include Design in the Historical Context, Theory of Urban Form, Ancient, Renaissance, Baroque and Modern Architectural History, Drawing as a Means of Architectural Knowledge and the History of Gardens. Field trips include visits to Tuscany, the Veneto region, Umbria, Lazio, and Sicily. in addition, each semester includes a two-week excursion to other European sites. The program is open to students entering fourth and fifth year, as well as graduate students.
