314 Session 6: 28/9/2010

Jews, Gypsies, North Africans, and Mexicans

               For some reason, the immediate reaction that people (at least in America) have when conversation about immigration is brought up is that immigrants come illegally and cause problems.  People immediately assume that most immigrants don’t belong and that they are taking over; taking our jobs, our living space, and overflowing our public areas.  Whether it’s Gypsies in Italy or Mexicans in America, people have their share of complaints about immigrants.  This is exactly what I was expecting the speaker about Italian immigration to discuss.  It is as if there is some general mindset about the word “immigrant”, like it only applies to those that move illegally to a different country.  I was pleasantly surprised last week when the speaker began to focus on legal immigration.  It forced me to realize how legal immigration takes place in higher amounts than illegal immigration and that it is important to view immigration in a new light.

                Coming from America, a country built on immigration, it can be a little hard to understand why people have such a negative view about immigrants.  After all, the country was founded by people who emigrated from various parts of the world in search of a new life.  At that time, immigration was the ideal solution for many people.  They were trying to find a better life by getting a fresh start in a land where freedom was guaranteed.  And because of this influx of many different people and cultures, America has become the country that it is today. 

                It was very interesting to discover from Monsieur that Italy additionally encounters a lot of immigration—more than I had ever realized.  It is also a very diverse place with people coming from Romania, Albania, and Morocco.  The statistics were quite fascinating.  However, I was really surprised that only one small section of his presentation was dedicated to illegal immigrants.  Monsieur pointed out that legal immigrants come in much higher numbers than illegal immigrants, making it appear that illegal immigration is not as big of a problem than most people stereotypically think. 

                In fact, immigration is a wonderful thing for a country.  A transfer of ideas, goods, products, and traditions occurs whenever people from different cultures interact.  Additionally, it improves the economy by having more consumers, producers, and even workers.  Immigrants in both Italy and America are increasing in numbers annually.  I believe that people as a whole need to focus more on the benefits that immigration has brought and that it is often a good thing.  Without it America would not exist.

                In the overall picture, my biggest question/challenge is how can we, as a people, change this negative mindset about immigration?  First, I think that people need to understand what exactly is going on with immigration.  So much effort and attention is put on the influx of illegal immigrants that it is twisting our perspective.  By understanding that the majority of immigrants come legally in an effort to create a better life, we can begin to re-paint our picture of what immigration is all about.  In reality, the stereotypical illegal immigrants give all immigrants a bad name.  For America it’s the Mexicans coming to steal all the jobs, while for Italy it’s the dirty gypsies that are begging and pick-pocketing in the streets.  However, if we are able to overcome these stereotypes and learn to embrace the diversity that this life brings, we will all enjoy what can be learned from one another.

325: Week 6 Blog

Journal Prompt:  The Pope’s address on Easter and Christmas always begins, “ Urbi et Orbi”  - “To the City of Rome and to the World.” The term “Roman Catholic” also suggests that there is something “roman” and something “universal” about the Church. In what sense is the Church “roman” and in what sense is it “global?”

            Over the past month and a half, we have spent every day studying, visiting, talking about, and reading about Rome and its history.  The thing that has stuck out the most to me is that every aspect of Rome, whether the art, the ancient ruins, or the sculptures, has a religious background or interpretation.  This leads me to understand that the church is very Roman.  When the church began with Constantine, ancient Romans were accustomed to creating extravagant alters and temples and places of worship for their gods.  Naturally, when the Roman religion focused to one God, the Romans continued the tradition of honoring God in the most prestigious way possible.  The best painters, the best sculptors, and the best architects were hired to create magnificent places to worship God.  This is important because it means that the churches and basilicas were created by Romans, and we still reflect on and study their styles and techniques to this day.  Therefore, the art influence on the church has given it many Roman characteristics.

The look of the church is only one part that characterizes it.  There is a second approach to viewing the church as “roman”.  As history proves, the pope is the successor of St. Peter.  This is very important considering that St. Peter was the first Bishop of Rome.  Additionally, the pope is the leader for the Catholic Church, all over the world.  This creates a really strong tie between the church and Rome, because historically, they are deeply connected.  The pope’s jurisdiction is called the “Apostolic See”, which is a tradition of the Church that exists because St. Peter was martyred in Rome.  The origin of the church was during ancient Romans times, and from these examples we can see that the traditions have continued into the Church that we know today.  Combining the ancient traditions and art of Rome with the successive line of bishops, starting with St. Peter, gives us a “roman” aspect to the church today.   

The Pope has always been located in the separate state of Vatican City, but throughout time he has been a church leader to more than just Rome.  People from all corners of the world, whether their religion is Catholic or not, look to the Pope an important spiritual guide.  The Pope speaks from the viewpoint of the church, which in turn causes the church to have a very universal aspect.  Through the Pope, people all over the world are inspired and influenced by the church.  It does not necessarily matter whether people follow the Catholic ways or are a believer in another form of religion; it is simply that the Pope brings encouragement and moral guidance that all people benefit from receiving.

I did not understand this, truthfully at all, until we discussed the papal audience and then became a part of it.  I saw inspiration in so many diverse people, and even experienced this feeling myself.  For the majority of the trip, I have felt a sense of separation from a lot of the spiritual situations we have encountered.  I did not identify with a lot of the Catholic traditions and extravagances, because all my life I have been of protestant faith.  However, starting with the visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, things started to appear to me in a different light.  I have realized that the things I am seeing are all connected to what I believe in also, and suddenly my religion has a past that I can understand and that feels real.  It was then that the role of the Pope in the world started to make sense to me, and I was really excited to be a member of his audience.  It does not matter that our religions are not the same; the Pope offers his guidance to everyone.  As I soaked in all that was going on around us on Wednesday, this became more and more clear.

By observing the Papal address, I got the greatest sense of how universal the church is. People came from all over the world on Wednesday to receive the blessed words that the Pope had to offer.  As the leader of the church, this gives the church a very universal sense.  The adoration that people show for the Pope speaks for this “universality” in itself.  People everywhere were on the edge of their seats, prepared to show the Pope in every way possible that they were there to support him.  By taking the time and effort to speak in seven different languages, the Pope shows his acceptance and appreciation of all people.  In return, people are truly touched by the Pope’s efforts to create a universal understanding.  For example, I saw two women from Brazil that looked like two children anticipating Christmas morning.  When Pope Benedict began to speak in Portuguese, they were so touched by hearing and understanding his words that they began to cry.  This truly says something for the Pope’s efforts to reach people all over the world and speak on behalf of the church. 

I am so glad to have that unforgettable experience of seeing the Pope. 

225: Week 6 9-21-10

1)      The object I chose from St. Peter’s Basilica is St. Peter’s Baldaccino.

2)      It is located in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City.

3)      The structure is 30 meters tall and made of bronze.

4)      Biographical

Bernini was one of the most influential artists of the Renaissance times in Rome.  He led the way into a Baroque revolution of art and architecture.  Bernini’s main goal that he was trying accomplish in his art was to give people an incredible 3D view, from all sides of an object.  The unique Baldaccino in St. Peter’s Basilica is a perfect example of true Bernini work.  While one can find baldaccino’s covering the high alter in every basilica, Bernini’s creation is very unique because of his personal vision and style and because of the significance of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Bernini’s Baldaccino is so unique because of the personal inspiration Bernini put into it.  For example, baldaccini are typically made of marble.  However, inspired by the canopy carried over the Pope during processions, Bernini created his entirely out of bronze that came from the Pantheon.  This was probably Bernini’s way of showing respect to the popes, who reigned after St. Peter.  Additionally, Bernini decorated the columns with Barberini bees, which was the family that Pope Urban VIII came from, whom commissioned Bernini.  Bernini carefully planned and created every detail of the Baldaccino.  In order to represent the column was bound to before he was crucified, Bernini created the columns with spiral shape.   Bernini undertook a huge task when he designed and built the Baldaccino in St. Peter’s Basilica.  He had to create something unique, yet impressive in size and appearance in order to fill the large space from the ground to the height of the dome.  I am so impressed with the vision that Bernini had in order to create such a magnificent structure.  It is unique in a way that I think only Bernini could accomplish.  Additionally, the thought and detail Bernini put into the Baldaccino represents everything that was important to St. Peter and what his life signified. 

1)      My chosen piece of art from the Sistine Chapel is Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam

2)      The fresco is located in the central part of the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel.

3)      The size of the fresco is 480 cm x 230 cm and it is made by painting on wet plaster.

4)      Formal Aspects:

Michelangelo, although not originally a painter, created one of the most known and impressive art collections in the world when he painted the interior of the Sistine Chapel.   Specifically, The Creation of Adam, located in the center of the ceiling, delivers a powerful message in a unique and captivating way.  The formal aspects of Michelangelo’s work come together into an incredible masterpiece.

The medium used to create the painting is paint on wet plaster, better known as a fresco.  This is an extremely difficult process because the artist has to work very quickly in order to complete the painting before the plaster dries.  However, Michelangelo mastered this technique, as we can still see today.  The color is still strong today because of this long-lasting technique.  The line in this painting is very distinct.  Our eyes are immediately drawn to the line created by Adam and God’s arms as God reaches out to Adam in order to give him life.  The colors of the painting are rather cool, creating a peaceful atmosphere.  This helps us, as observers, understand that Michelangelo intended this to be a holy scene.  The light that Michelangelo used is very important.  Both God and Adam are lit up, as if they are full of the life that is being transferred from God to Adam.  Space is one of the most important aspects of this painting.  The space between the two figures shows how they are separate, yet connected.  It helps us understand that life is coming from God across the middle space and into Adam, who is mirrored in God’s image.  Michelangelo certainly used his talents and vision to create a spectacular scene telling of the creation story.  It is one of the most beautiful pieces of art I’ve ever seen.

314 Session 5: 9/16/2010

In some ways, the history of the Jewish community is something that we are all aware of.  The tragic events that Jews experienced are taught throughout our entire lives, as it was certainly a major part of the world’s history.  However, I never truly considered what the average Jewish life was like until we visited the ghettos that the Jewish community was confined to.  Suddenly, everything has been put into a different perspective.  During the time that Jews lived there, the ghetto had a huge impact on people inside and outside of the walls.  Additionally, people continue to be impacted by the ghetto to this day.

                In the past, people outside of the ghetto walls viewed the ghetto as a representation of the status that Jews held in Rome.  Rome went through periods of high tolerance for the Jewish culture, and oppositely periods of very little tolerance for the Jewish presence in Rome.  However, whether the goal was acceptance or not, Rome always kept a certain amount of control over the Jews.  This is reflected in the very idea of the Jewish ghetto.  It was as if the people outside the ghetto were expressing that, whether respected or not, Jews always had a certain place in Rome that was meant to be very clear.  It appears as if it was a matter of power and control, as many aspects of Rome have always been about.  The People outside the ghetto walls were impacted by that feeling of control; it was the Romans homeland, and whether they were going to be tolerate of the Jew’s vastly different lifestyle or not, they made it very clear where the Jewish community stood in Roman culture.

                For the people living inside the ghetto in the past, the impact was incredibly stronger.  The walls of the ghetto dictated in every way how the people inside lived.  The Jewish community was, in every sense of the word, confined.  They were confined to small living areas, to a specific lifestyle, and even to a certain appearance.  I am sure that this must have made them feel lesser than other people.  Additionally, there is a strong sense of being trapped.  Every part of their life was trapped inside an area too small to sustain the population.  In a lot of ways, the ghetto forced the Jewish community to contain all of their culture in one area that the Jews were locked into daily, like caged animals.

                The Jewish ghetto has a very different effect today on both people inside the walls and those outside the walls.  Those outside the walls are constantly reminded of the way that Jews were treated in the past.  The ghettos represent the fact that Jews were not viewed as equal, and they paid some high prices for that.  As someone on the outside of the ghetto walls, I was highly impacted by seeing what life inside was truly like.  The close living space is something that one cannot comprehend from the outside.  However, it is still clear that life was not ideal inside the ghetto.  However, I find it very interesting to realize that everything sacred and important to the Jews were a part of that small area.  They always put emphasis on the importance of religious traditions and ceremonies by using the space they had to honor these things.  As an outsider viewing the ghetto today, it was moving to realize how the Jewish community survived on a daily basis. 

                It appears as if the people inside the ghetto are impacted very differently than any other group has been.  When we visited the ghettos, I got a really different sense from the people inside the ghetto walls today.  While these people are certainly impacted by the history that surrounds them and are reminded of it daily, they seem to embrace the idea of the ghetto in a very different way.  Today, the ghetto appears  like a place where Jewish people express their culture.  The shops and bakeries and restaurants are one of a kind, and thoroughly Jewish.  It as if the ghetto today is a way to preserve the culture and traditions of the Jews.  I feel a sense of pride from the people inside the ghetto walls today, as they proudly share their original history and culture with the rest of the world. 

                Whether from the outside or inside of the Jewish ghetto, during contemporary times or in the past, the impact of life in the Jewish ghettos is strong.  It is very eye-opening to experience the ghettos and to try and form an idea of what life was like in the past.   I am very impressed with the way that the ghettos have transformed into a place that celebrates the culture and past of Jewish life, instead of confining and defining it.

325: Week 4 Blog: 9-6-2010

Piazza Navona

The first time I ventured into Rome without being guided by anyone, I realized how winding and narrow the roads are. Everything seemed tight, and somewhat abandoned. Where were all the people? Katie Brown and I were doing our best to get our own personal perspective of what Rome is all about, but all we were discovering was what seemed like a maze of old buildings. Suddenly, we wound our way into Piazza Navona; it was as if we unexpectedly stepped into a whole new world, and everything became clear. We had finally reached the Rome that we had heard so much about and had seen in pictures. The Piazzi of Rome are the heart of the city and the place to go in order to truly discover Italian culture.

Piazza della Minerva

The first thing that I realized when I stepped into the open space was that there was a lot of things going on all at once. It was as if the art, history, religion, cuisine, businesses, and people of the city were all there in one place. We did not need to walk for miles to get from an art museum to a church then to a restaurant in order to see what Italian culture is all about. It was truly all in front of us, waiting for us to soak it in. Immediately we noticed Bernini’s sculpture of the four major rivers of the world. It was not only a time to appreciate the incredible artists of Italy’s past, but also was a history lesson about the Baroque time period of art. It is such an incredible sculpture. Next, we were amused by the various independent artists and musicians around the piazza, trying to make a few extra bucks with their talents. This was incredibly interesting, because it said a lot about what Italy is all about. It is a country famous for its art and culture from the past, and the artists in the piazza show how Italians are trying to continue that reputation. We did not spend a lot of extra time in Piazza Navona that day, but it certainly left a lasting impression on me.

Piazza del Popolo

As we continue to travel around the city and have had the chance to visit other Piazzi, it has become apparent that they are more than just a place for artists to make some money. They speak so distinctly about the Italian culture. In fact, it seems as though one can learn everything about who Italians are by visiting the Piazzi of Rome. Each one includes all the major aspects of Italian culture. As I mentioned earlier, there is always some form of incredible public art at the center of the Piazza. Additionally, there are modern artists spread throughout the area. There is also a church located along one side of each Piazza, indicating the religious importance that Italians include in their lives. Along the walls of the square, there are two very important parts of Italian culture: food and shopping stores. Pasta, pizza, and paninis are always available to give everyone a true taste of what Italians eat. It is also true that you cannot walk more than 5 steps without seeing gelato stand after gelato stand. Additionally, the numerous stores are a way for people, tourists specifically, to take a piece of Italy home with them.

In class today we decided that Piazzi are the “quintessential public places” of Italy. I have not experienced it during the night time, but I have found out that Italians come out during the evenings and simply live. Adults converse while their children play in the large open area. It is simply a place for people to hang out. Everything they need is located within the Piazza, and as a tourist I can translate that into seeing all of Italian culture in one place. When I read Muriel Spark’s essay in The Smiles of Rome, I understood how the Piazza speaks about the culture and lifestyles of Italians. Spark talks about her memories of the various Piazzi she lived in, and how she spent her time simply living throughout the Piazzi. Her experiences of having dinner and talking with friends became a part of who she was as she learned to live as the Italians do. Spark recalls, “If you live in central Rome you have only to walk down the street and you come to a fountain by Bernini in which children are playing or a Michelangelo embassy or some fine fifteenth-century building with today’s washing hanging out.” It is amazing to me to think about how natural the aspects of the Piazzi that we, as tourists, marvel at are to the Italians that live there.

Today we visited Piazza Navona again, which was the second time I was there. After discussing the Italian Piazza in class and reading the essays from Smiles, I was able to get a better appreciation for how much of a story each Piazza tells. I realized that Italian culture was right in front of me, all wrapped into one central place. The really neat thing, though, is that each Piazza tells this same story about Italy and its culture in slightly different versions. I cannot wait to experience my next piece of Italian culture.

Piazza di Spagna

314 Session 3: 9-2-2010

Authentic Hero


It seems rare to me these days to hear about stories of people helping others simply because they felt that it was the right thing to do. Often I see life in a way that says everyone is out for themselves, because it appears that if we live any differently, we will get stepped all over. It is sad to me that at times we do not take a chance to leave our own feelings behind and make a difference to somebody else, no matter how big or small. However, sometimes I get encouraged by the incredible things that people have done in the past. This week I was inspired by the story of Giorgio Perlasca, who is thought to be an authentic Italian hero. Giorgio Perlasca was a humble man whose life told a fascinating and courageous story.

Because I was not personally able to view the movie about Giorgio Perlasca, I have a general understanding of his life; but it was enough for me to be inspired by his greatness. Perlasca was in the Balkans during World War II, working to get supplies for the Italian army. He was a strong fascist, which caused him to be captured during the Nazi preoccupation in Budapest. However, Perlasca had connections with the Spanish government from his military service during the Spanish Civil War, and he knew that he would be safe if he made it to the Spanish Embassy. However, during the time that he was captured, he realized the plan of the Nazis to kill all the Jews. It was at the Spanish Embassy, when everyone else was leaving for safety, that Perlasca made the decision that turned him into a hero. He chose to stay at the embassy, pretending to be the Spanish ambassador, and do everything in his power to save as many Jews as possible from their sure death.

Wow, what a truly impressive story to tell! As I reiterate the facts that are probably better known by others than me, I am amazed at the strength that one man could have. He had no real connection to the people that he was risking his life for, yet he found a way to put himself in their shoes and realize that life was not meant to end for all those people at that time, especially in that way. In my opinion, this is exactly what makes him and Authentic Italian Hero. Authentic is another way to say original, something that is not able to be made again. The fact that Perlasca was able to take himself and his own feelings out of the situation and think about the well being of others is what makes him such a legitimate hero to me. It is something so rare, in the past as well as today, that we marvel at stories like that of Perlasca for years to follow.

When I contemplate the idea of an authentic hero, I do not usually picture something so extravagant as the story of Perlasca. I usually bring the thought down to a more personal level that I can relate a little more to. For example, my mom is one of those people that have the qualities of an authentic hero. Of course she has never made a choice that has put herself in great danger to save thousands of lives, but she lives every day with the attitude that Perlasca had. I always see her sitting her own feelings aside in order to do things for others. Specifically, my mom spends nearly all of her time taking care of the needs of my elderly grandparents, and it’s something that she does without hesitation. And I believe that her dedication to them has saved their lives in many ways.

This is a really personal example to me, but I believe that it is the best example I can give of an authentic hero, because in many ways it reminds me of the attitude that Perlasca had. Even though he did something monumental, he never told anyone his story. It was not until years later that his story was found, written down by Perlasca, in a table drawer. Perlasca’s humility and humble behavior impresses me so much, and also reminds me of how my mom handles her situations in life. It is about service and sacrifice—two things that everyone should focus a little more time on, including myself. In my opinion, the people that do this, whether anybody else knows it or not, are the true authentic heroes. I am so grateful to have been reminded by that heroes exist, in the past and still today. It is truly something to learn from.

225: Week 3 9-2-2010

1) My first chosen piece of art for this week is Scala Santa, or the Holt Stairs.


2) This beautiful sight is located in the Lateran Palace in Piazza di San Giovanni.

3) The staircase is 28 steps high and is made of marble. However, today the steps are covered by wood to protect them.

4) Iconography

Often we think of art as something that is aesthetically pleasing and is created for people to look at. However, sometimes the art that I personally find most beautiful are things that stand for something beautiful or interesting. The Scala Santa is one of these structures that strikes me because of what it means. As soon as I stepped into the Lateran Palace today, I immediately noticed people kneeling on a staircase, silently praying. After a little explanation about what those stairs represent, I was able to understand why these people were in such a reverent state.

Legends say that these steps were brought from Pilot’s house in Jerusalem. It is thought that they are the steps that Jesus actually walked down after he was condemned. Today they are covered by wooden boards in order to preserve them. They are so holy that people are only allowed to climb them on their knees (Blue Guide Book pg. 365. When I saw this happening today, I could immediately tell that these steps were really iconic. There is such a deep connection with one’s faith when in the presence of a place that Jesus was. It is not fact that He walked these steps, but just the idea of it is enough to draw people closer to Him. The hallway that the stairs are in is beautifully decorated with frescos, giving it a peaceful attitude. The Scala Santa represents deep spirituality and a connection to faith unlike any place I have ever been.

1) The second piece of art I chose for this week is the Egyptian Obelisk in Piazza di San Giovanni.

2) This statue is located in Piazza di San Giovanni, behind the San Giovanni Basilica.

3) This obelisk is the tallest one, standing 32.18 meters tall (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_obelisks_in_Rome).

4) History

One thing about the city of Rome that fascinates me is that the artwork has so much diversity. Rome has such a long history that there are several different time periods, which cause the appearance of things to vary. Additionally, there is a lot of art that comes from different countries. One example of this is the various Egyptian obelisks. In the ancient times before Christ, Egyptian art had a lot of influence on Rome, which is why the obelisks were brought to Rome. At that time, they were dedicated to the god of the sun, Apollo. However, later they became decorations of the city, which is their purpose to this day (Blue Guide Book pg. 357).

The obelisk we saw today in Piazza di San Giovanni is particularly interesting for several reasons. First, it is the oldest and tallest obelisk located in Rome, and is also the last one that was brought from Egypt. Second, I find it interesting that it was originally dedicated to Pharaoh Thutmosis IV, but was moved some time after that. It was later found decorating the Circus Maximus, and in 1588 was relocated to Piazza di San Giovanni. Fortunately, it is still in excellent condition so that we can still enjoy its symbols (http://www.romeartlover.it/Vasi34.html#Obelisk).

325: Week 3 Blog 8-30-2010

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are three religions that have been influencing the way that people live for centuries. And like all things that have a long and deep history, religion is something that has undergone many changes over time. New theological, along with scientific, revelations can lead the deep faith instilled in these religions in one of two directions—it can either support them and encourage growth, or it can limit the faith required for the religion to survive. We see now more than ever a large number of people fighting to disprove the faithful beliefs of religious people, but yet the hope of a future salvation is still strong within the western religions. I believe that the history connected with these religions helps keep the faith strong and growing to this day.


In a lot of aspects, I think that whether people let history bolster or limit their faith just depends on how they embrace the new findings in scientific knowledge and how they relate them to what the past holds. For example, it was a lot easier to believe in miracles in the past when the resources weren’t available for people to try and question them. Some people view this ignorance as something to disprove, which certainly limits their faith today. However, in my opinion, the scientific discoveries linked to the deep past of my faith make is stronger. It helps me understand that science and faith can work together.

Additionally, the pure faith that people had in history is inspiring to me. As I was reading our assignments in The Smiles of Rome for this week, I was impressed with the letters that St. Peter and St. Paul wrote to the people of that time. It particularly struck me when I realized that the advice they were giving was applicable to my life now. St. Peter’s letter was encouraging to live as a humble and respectful person, which are things that we all should be mindful of. After reading his letter, I was reminded of some of the things that I need to do in order to live as a better person. It really bolsters my faith to realize that people in the past struggled with similar things we do today. They encouraged and supported each other in ways that are familiar to me from my family, friends, and church community. For example, St. Paul said, “Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind.” (pg. 83) Almost 2000 years later, I find these words encouraging and sensible in my own life, which bolsters my faith so much.

As time passes, religion changes and grows. Things are not the same today as they were in the Old Testament because with new discoveries and revelations people learn how to grow and become more faithful to their religion. If things were the same today as they were in the Old Testament, I think that people would have a lot of problems with religion and faith because it would appear as if our lives are not headed in any particular direction. However, because religion has grown so much as time passes, it helps bolster faith along with the time. It seems as though things are progressing towards something, such as the promised salvation for those that choose that path.