Rome
Whatever people may say about it, Rome’s Colosseum lures
everyone back into ancient times as a funnel. People’s thirst for
blood gained the building an unfortunate reputation, further
subsidised by what used to happen during the XVI century. Since
grass grown out of blood and ruins was believed to be magical,
witches and wizards have been thrown out of the Colosseum's
windows
Its likeness to Botticelli’s map of hell got it another designation: ‘one of hell’s seven gates’. Beyond gladiators’ fights and hunting representations, it also used to host ‘Naumachiae’. In these representations, gladiators or convicts were exploited to stage epic naval combats of Roman empire history.
The Colosseum has been struck by earthquakes, lightning and other natural phenomena; sadly, most of its misfortune was at people’s hands.
Their barbaric endeavours turned its floor - once filled up with water - into a mud ditch, then used as fertiliser by local people. Vegetables were grown and stored inside its walls.
Although we can admire just a third of the original project, the Colosseum hasn’t lost its colossal appearance. A black cat runs around to catch a bird, getting as much fun as people once used to. Today, cats are the sole guests
What I used
Cattail
In Baltic cultures, cattail is variously used in cooking, medicine and ornamental arts. Its fluff is used to stuff pillows, make fabric, art pottery, as a natural water filter or fuel.
Traveller’s Joy (Clematis Vitalba) This plant grows spontaneously all over the Italian territory, very often next to brambles or among them. The wind scatters into the air the long, feathery ends of its achene fruits during summer.
Gum Tree (American Storax) Ducts pervade this plant from its leaves to the roots, letting its fragrant resin flow through. The resin is still used nowadays in medicine, perfumery and cosmetology factories. In Southern China, its leaves feed silkworms.
Its likeness to Botticelli’s map of hell got it another designation: ‘one of hell’s seven gates’. Beyond gladiators’ fights and hunting representations, it also used to host ‘Naumachiae’. In these representations, gladiators or convicts were exploited to stage epic naval combats of Roman empire history.
The Colosseum has been struck by earthquakes, lightning and other natural phenomena; sadly, most of its misfortune was at people’s hands.
Their barbaric endeavours turned its floor - once filled up with water - into a mud ditch, then used as fertiliser by local people. Vegetables were grown and stored inside its walls.
Although we can admire just a third of the original project, the Colosseum hasn’t lost its colossal appearance. A black cat runs around to catch a bird, getting as much fun as people once used to. Today, cats are the sole guests
What I used
Cattail
In Baltic cultures, cattail is variously used in cooking, medicine and ornamental arts. Its fluff is used to stuff pillows, make fabric, art pottery, as a natural water filter or fuel.
Traveller’s Joy (Clematis Vitalba) This plant grows spontaneously all over the Italian territory, very often next to brambles or among them. The wind scatters into the air the long, feathery ends of its achene fruits during summer.
Gum Tree (American Storax) Ducts pervade this plant from its leaves to the roots, letting its fragrant resin flow through. The resin is still used nowadays in medicine, perfumery and cosmetology factories. In Southern China, its leaves feed silkworms.
