The 24 Hour Roman Reconstruction Project Timeline


Liz Glynn, The 24 Hour Roman Reconstruction Project, 2008. Installation view. Courtesy of the artist and The New Museum, New York.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

September 26, 2009


Midnight - 5:02 am | ARCHAIC ROME
Low light, "pagan" atmosphere, anarchic building based on a shoddy archeological record.

Midnight: Enter Romulus and Remus. Each builds a hut.
-Calling all wolf-looking dogs
-Ritualistic Snacking

3:03 am: Architectural designer J.M. Tate explains the arch form to mark its perfection


5:03 am - 2:27 pm | THE EARLY REPUBLIC
Archaic city cedes to the trappings of order. The sun comes up, some small buildings are erected. Buildings are smaller, created with cardboard.

7:30 am: The Gallic Invasion
-Musical Performance by No Mas Bodas
-The Capitoline Hill comes alive to defend itself
-French-inspired breakfast

9:45-9:51 am: Pyrrhic Victory
-Mock battle and explanation of the term

12:27-12:31 pm: Carthage is destroyed, signifying the climax of Roman colonialism
-Sacrificial destruction of a constructed effigy
-Pizza Party!

2:00-7:00 pm: Various Literary Readings

2:00 pm: Architectural conservator and masonry expert Fran Gale gives a presentation on bricks, mortar, and concrete

2:27 pm: Empire vs. Republic Wrestling
-Enacted by UT Austin Wrestling Team members Nick Gebhart and Terrance Wickman


2:27 pm - Midnight | THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Building materials shift into wood and all gestures become grandiose. Monuments become more "permanent" for the ages. The environment is less harmonious and land-grabbing begins.

2:27-2:50 pm: The Era of Augustus brings frantic building
ALL HANDS ON DECK!

2:59 pm: Classicist Maureen Kumar reads in Latin from Vitruvius' Ten Books on Architecture and Augustus' Res Gestae

3:08 pm: Architectural designer J.M. Tate discusses the structure and function of the aqueduct

4:20-4:22 pm: The reign of Caligula marks the beginning of the end
-Bacchanalian Feasting

4:39-4:56 pm: Nero's reign, then comes "fire!"
-Grammy Award-winning fiddler Danny Levin plays to mark the great fires
-BBQ Time!

5:40 pm: Dr. Rabun Taylor discusses the recent discovery of the Aqua Traijana

4:51-5:57 pm: Nero's Golden House marks the development of concrete
-Musique Concrete performance by William Meadows
-Concrete pouring workshop with artist Sadi Brewton

7:30 pm: Dr. John Clarke leads an architectural tour of the capital before its fall

7:53-7:59 pm: The baths of Caracalla are built
-Ritual ablutions and also CLEANUP!

9:00-9:12 pm: Aurelian fortifies Rome with a big wall while "Germans" look on
-German-inspired snacking and drinking

9:50-10:30 pm: The era of Constantine heralds the arrival of Christianity
-Performance artist Silky Shoemaker delivers a televangelist invocation while all pagan temples are destroyed with cross-shaped weapons

Midnight: Rome is sacked by the Visigoths
-Vicious musical performance by The Waco Girls
-Destruction of the city at the feet of the crowd

SPECIAL EVENTS

In the weeks prior to the performance, Arthouse will be hosting various screenings and events to educate and invigorate our audiences about all things ROME. Follow it on the blog or sign up for our email list to be sure you're in the loop.

In conjunction with The 24 Hour Roman Reconstruction Project, Arthouse will also be hosting a major event as we look forward to a most ambitious 2010. Click here for event / sponsorship info.