http://lookingaround.blogs.time.com/2007/07/20/talk_about_bad_timing/ Reflections on art and architecture by TIME critic Richard Lacayo. Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:49:09 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 http://lookingaround.blogs.time.com/2007/07/20/talk_about_bad_timing/comment-page-1/#comment-96 rustywombat Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:24:27 +0000 http://lookingaround.blogs.time.com/2007/07/20/talk_about_bad_timing/#comment-96 It would be interesting to know whether the dismantled pieces of the Arco dei Fileni still survive - whether it was carefully dismantled or simply demolished. Two large bronze statues from the arch still exist and are kept in a nearby open air museum (see <a href="http://www.littorio.com/arc/arco_fileni05.jpg)" rel="nofollow">http://www.littorio.com/arc/arco_fileni05.jpg)</a> but I've read nothing to suggest that anything else survived. The arch was a notable landmark for many British and Commonwealth soldiers who served in North Africa in World War II, and who called it Marble Arch. If Gaddafi had not pulled it down it might well have been a popular tourist attraction today. It would be interesting to know whether the dismantled pieces of the Arco dei Fileni still survive - whether it was carefully dismantled or simply demolished. Two large bronze statues from the arch still exist and are kept in a nearby open air museum (see http://www.littorio.com/arc/arco_fileni05.jpg) but I've read nothing to suggest that anything else survived. The arch was a notable landmark for many British and Commonwealth soldiers who served in North Africa in World War II, and who called it Marble Arch. If Gaddafi had not pulled it down it might well have been a popular tourist attraction today.

]]> http://lookingaround.blogs.time.com/2007/07/20/talk_about_bad_timing/comment-page-1/#comment-95 Giovanni DiMatteo Mon, 23 Jul 2007 11:42:09 +0000 http://lookingaround.blogs.time.com/2007/07/20/talk_about_bad_timing/#comment-95 Actually, many Italians don't view their fascist past with shame, and in fact are proud. I consider it natural that they would want to reclaim these artifacts. Fascism is alive and well in Italy even today, especially in the north, and there is a non-trivial communist segment to the society as well. Though, I don't think it evokes the same images here as in the US, and is somehow just a kind of naieve political 'fashion statement' on their part. Actually, many Italians don't view their fascist past with shame, and in fact are proud. I consider it natural that they would want to reclaim these artifacts. Fascism is alive and well in Italy even today, especially in the north, and there is a non-trivial communist segment to the society as well. Though, I don't think it evokes the same images here as in the US, and is somehow just a kind of naieve political 'fashion statement' on their part.

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