2.6 MAXXI

MAXXI, Rome

I thought I would love MAXXI a lot, a museum of architecture designed by Zaha Hadid. 

Having seen some of her building, one was her first ones at Vitra, I felt that there was a feeling that they are too intricate but somehow not well done. I realized that especially after I read that one of her buildings in China was found to crack after a year or two. Some details were not finished with excellence. One thing that did not get into my liking was the toilet, for it felt cold and too industrial. 

Partly was a constructional problem, others were just about their complexity. MAXXI was pretty overwhelming, understanding that it is meant to be an exhibition space which should flaunt the works in it - not itself.

However, I was very excited to come here as there is always something to learn from any museums. This one was a unique one, that holds collection, thoughts, visions of how architecture should and would be. In which, was not too bad in terms of the collection. Some artworks like Anish Kapoor's were also on display with other photography works.

MAXXI

Via Guido Reni 4A, 00196 Roma Italy

Do nothing but awesome 

2.5 Roman Forum

The Roman Forum, one of the earliest quarter of the Roman empire 

2.4 Vatican

St. Peter's Basilica

Musei Vaticani

Tiga Enam

See my photo exhibited with other great 35 analog photographers as a part of Projek Arka's project to revive analog photography and to investigate reasons among us for still using film rolls.

Interakt

In Asian families, a round dining table is seen as a medium to share food and more importantly to gather around as a family. The core function of it is to put dishes in the middle so everyone will share their food, which encourages interaction and better bonding time between family members. However as design bounds towards purity and functionality, an object’s identity is now challenged along with the designer’s evolving perspective on her root and surroundings. A question is then raised: Up to what extent is an object’s diminish of feature still acceptable until it loses its significance? As the table is shifting its function to an individual dining arrangement, does it now lose its fundamental reason of it being a dining table? A complex dining table stripped down to bare minimum that sums up the contemporary interpretation of the designer’s root identity – a depiction of how she was raised, influences around her and her statement towards design perspective.

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2.3 Colosseum

With capacity of over 50,000 spectators, Colosseum was truly a grandeur building engineering success of the Roman Empire. This amphitheatre was used as a venue for performances, mythological dramas, executions and most well-known as a gladiatoral contests area. The wall thickness was ridiculously thick, nothing compared to how buildings are nowadays. 

He went there on a rainy day on his second day in Rome. One thing he dislike about being at amazing tourist places are the notion of knowing, it felt like he knew what he was about to see. However, it was still amazing to see it with his own eyes.

2.2 Giolitti

If you are a bit old-fashioned, a bit conservative, and crave a bit of gelato please go to Giolitti (Come on man, it has been there since 1900!!!). Giolitti was recommended by a friend of mine and what a true delight it was. Our day was done when we stopped there.

2.1 Pantheon

He has not been home for a while now for wherever home is. A decision to put your life on hold for some time, giving himself the necessary time he would not think he ever need. Seemed like time was stopping yet half a year passed so quickly leaving traces of his previous chapter, creating new ones and leaving more empty pages to be filled. Selfishly speaking, his previous chapter was quite interesting too or should we say it was still on going. Time would tell, time would decide, lessons learned that rushed decisions were the worst ones for the greatest wars were won from cool heads. What terrified him was the moment life was calling back and he must got up to answer. Felt like an inception - buried in layers of dream. 

After he got a bit lost to find Fontana di Trevi, the lanes did not get any friendlier. The next day plans were made to look for Pantheon - a building which then became his favorite.

Pantheon is the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome with equal height to diameter size of 43.3 metres. He has been talking about it ever since the domes in Istanbul were tackled. Pantheon was built as a temple for gods during the ancient Rome period. Pediment structure made the front facade up, with large Corinthians columns underneath it. Pediment is commonly found on classical Greek temples, renaissance, neo-classical structure and also in some ambitious houses in Indo.

An oculus or a round-shaped opening on the top of the dome literally means eye, acts as a rain hole, ventilation system and as a sole source of light. The light coming through from the oculus creates a reversed sundial effect in the interior. 

What amazed him was the drainage system applied to the building. A slight slope could be felt on the center of the building, allowing water or rain to be collected and go through the holes on the marble floor. Definitely his favorite building in Rome, Pantheon was for him.

PART II

As he set foot in Roma, a rush of excitement flew through his blood, pumping his heart faster. It was a bit more exciting now to think that in just a moment he would see one of the world's greatest proof of civilization that still exist. Though understanding was very limited but that what he was here for: to see and learn. A friend recommended to get lost in the lanes of Rome and so he did get lost on his first attempt finding Fontana di Trevi. But what a delight it was finding the fountain in somewhere unexpected, hidden between tiny lanes. And so he sat there with his lemon gelati, rewarding himself for the day.

1.11 The Asian Side

Traveling to Kadikoy in the Asian side of Istanbul felt like going back to his hometown, around Kota to be exact. The hustle and bustle of the city, the crowd, attitude of the people resembled what was home to him. Not like he was missing it so much, it just reminded him of home.

This more secular part of the city felt more present. In general, the cost of living was cheaper yet here was where modern shopping malls with international brands could be found. He stopped by at juice shop, ordering a freshly pressed pomegranate juice to rehydrate himself after wandering around the local markets through the lanes. 

Have a look at Turkey's biggest export, the soap opera, which are very popular in the Middle Eastern region. He watched a couple when he was living with his Turkish housemate back in Germany. A big progression in Turkey and countries around it were the sudden urge of westernization and high-life. Very tangible as he saw the gap between the rich whom he saw on magazines and the real-life people from the street.

This time, facing Europe, a view of the city across the water seemed vague, hidden by the fog and snow. How lucky he was to be able to travel to places. A quote from Bourdain struck his head,

"If you are 22, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel." 

Definitely this was the time to be embraced and to live to the max. No way he was staying back at the room if not for resting to start his next day all over again.

1.10 Topkapi Palace

A very special place Topkapi Palace was, for it was used as the royal residence of Ottoman Sultans for over 400 years. The palace, which now is a museum, exhibits a large collection of Ottoman's inheritance.

As if the grandeur of the palace was not enough to flaunt its glory, things such as swords, cloaks, shields, jewelry, and flasks were all covered in precious stones. Floors, pillars, and furniture were made out of marble - a picturesque projection of the Ottoman empire. One thing I really loved was the Arabic patterns found around the palace, applied as wallpapers or window partitions. There is a certain continuity to Arabic patterns and the feel of humility to the intricateness of it.