Perspectives on public space in Rome, from antiquity to the present day

Rome, Italy
Biennial of Public Space

The conference is an integral part of the three-day Biennial of Public Space organized by the Italian National Institute for Urban Planners (INU). It wishes to bring together various perspectives on public space in the city of Rome pertaining to any historical period. The aim of the conference is to open debate on the notion of public space across time, interpreted as a fluid concept having architectural, institutional, political, social, religious, phenomenological, and artistic relevance. These suggestions are by no means exhaustive, and wish simply to establish a point of departure for the ways public space is used as a cultural concept. The uniting feature of the conference is its focus on the city of Rome through the ages.
Of special interest are the following areas:

• Representations of public space in painting, poetry, theatre
• Management of public space
• Architectural design of public space
• Political uses of public space

Ideally the conference will result in a collection of essays published in English. Those interested in participating should submit a two-hundred-word proposal to the organizers and a one-page cv.

The deadline for submitting a proposal is October 1, 2010.
Acceptance will be notified by October 15, 2010.

ORGANIZERS:
Gregory Smith:gos2@cornell.edu
Jan Gadeyne: jg385@cornell.edu