Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

September 8, 2008 5:15:58 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Rome's New Mayor Vows to Raze Renowned Museum

Posted May 2, 08 12:22 PM CDT in World,  Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Only a few days into his mandate, Rome's new right-wing mayor has sworn to dismantle a state-of-the-art museum designed by American architect Richard Meier, reports the Times of London. Gianni Alemanno called the Ara Pacis museum, built 2 years ago to house a peace altar from the Augustan period, "invasive" and "a disfigurement in the heart of Rome," prompting protests from the city's cultural elite and the architect himself.

Meier, whose works include the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, said he was stunned by the new mayor's announcement and would fly to Rome to meet with him. Alemanno, who swept into Rome's city hall on a "post-Fascist" ticket, has wasted no time in dismantling the Italian capital's cultural program. He has already announced plans to overhaul or cancel the Rome Film Festival.

Source Times (UK)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
The Ara Pacis museum in Rome. The Italian capital's new rightwing mayor has threatened to destroy the Richard Meier building.   ((c) teandkb)
The Ara Pacis museum in Rome. The Italian capital's new rightwing mayor has threatened to destroy the Richard Meier building.   ((c) zak mc)
The Ara Pacis museum in Rome. The Italian capital's new rightwing mayor has threatened to destroy the Richard Meier building.   ((c) mahalie)
New Rome mayor Giannni Alemanno waves to supporters from a balcony of the Campidoglio Capitol hill in Rome, Monday, April 28, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 2)

Tags

Italy  • architecture  • culture  • Rome  • Richard Meier  • Gianni Alemanno


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other Arts & Living Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »