I was born in Rome and come from the suburbs in north-east of Rome (Tufello).
The first time I went to the center of Rome I was 7 years old. A friend of my father from Germany came to visit, so we had a tour of the city center. That day I saw the Coliseum, San Peter, Pantheon and something else that I don’t remember anymore. What I remember of that glorious day is the long beard of this huge German guy, than I remember also that I was eating red chili pepper strictly from the cans like pop corn.
Next year with the school we went to visit Castel Sant’ Angelo (the old jail of Rome built on the mausoleum of the Imperator Adriano 138 A.C.) I remember I had a lot of fun and was the first time I used my photo-camera. The same year my mother took my sister and me to Piazza Navona, the day of epiphany on the 6th of January, it is the last day of the Christmas holidays. The children get candy and chocolate as presents, in Piazza Navona there are many traditional squares where that day is celebrated. That year I had also my first experience with the dentist.
Then little by little and by growing up I discovered my city on my own.
One big step was when I started making graffiti, I discovered all the neighborhoods, learned all buses lines, memorized all the good shops that where selling still spray cans, found good places to chill in a wild night.
Year after year I develop my knowledge about the city with empirical experiences, like meeting people studying, working, walking, fighting, having fun, etceteras etcetera and also by reading novels about history, art books and/or watching movies.
The fact that Rome has been built layer by layer, my memories and experiences are placed in my brain as well by different layers. My brain is the case where Rome is placed. The way I placed those pieces of Rome in my mind is not in achronological order but I archived them the way I wanted them, with my personality.
The truth will be only my truth about Rome. I can not bring Rome here but I have my brain to show it up.
Previously on view in the Amsterdam Biennale:
Roma Pavilion
Opening of the Roma pavilion 21 November, with the presentation of the Monster Robot Romanus.
Come and have a look at this monstrous creation that brings the conservative state o mind!
Joe Francheschi and Stefano Monfeli are part of 'Why Style', a collective of artists from Rome founded in 2000 and since 2006 moved to Amsterdam. About Why Style on internet:
www.panetrv.com
ROMA
Rome was founded the 21st of April of the 753 B.C
Rome is one of the oldest city in Europe and also in the world. There is so much history and there are so many stories about it.
What matters is to present your own story.
With:
Joe Franceschi
