One of the symbols of Rome, the Colosseum, is to be set on fire tonight.
But don't worry – the flames will be virtual. The Danish artist Thyra Hilden and Argentinian artist Pio Diaz are bringing their art form to Rome after virtually “burning” several other European buildings using video projections. The Colosseum is their most challenging project yet.
The aim of the display, which is part of the artists' “City on Fire: Burning the Roots of Western Culture” project, is to stimulate debate on the fragility of Europe's cultural heritage, whether some buildings should continue to exist and what they mean to us, explains Hilden.
The Colosseum will “burn” on the nights of 17th, 18th and 19th September and the display will be freely visible to the public.
The building's curator, Gianni Mercurio, said,
“Fire has long been a symbol of purification and regeneration for artists and I think the 'Colosseum on Fire' is just that, a bit like the Arabic story of the phoenix; inside the Colosseum, this great symbol of history, the fire burns the ills of society to allow a new beginning.”
The Colosseum is to undergo a €30 million restoration beginning next year. It should be completed by 2013.
What does the Colosseum mean to you?
