"Capitoline She-wolf"

Located in Capitoline Museum in Rome, Italy

Given to the Roman people in 1471 by Pope Sixtus IV

The bronze statue of the Capitoline She-wolf is known as the symbol of Rome. Romulus and Remus were known to be the founding mythical twins of Rome that were originally nursed by a she-wolf. The artist of this bronze sculpture is making a visual record of the people, places and events of their time. This sculpture depicts the moment where Romulus and Remus arrived in Rome and they were being fed by the she-wolf that helped them survive. This sculpture records accurately the mythological tale exactly how it was supposed to be seen. The artist most likely created this bronze statue using the direct lost-wax method of casting to depict this moment in time. The artist also gives form to the immaterial-- hidden or universal truths, spiritual forces, or personal feelings through this sculpture. This sculpture is created through a mythological legend that portrays a deeper meaning to the foundation of Rome. It gives reason for the creation of such a thriving city and stood as a symbol to celebrated for thousands of years. The universal truth of this sculpture led to the Roman people believing that the city was created by something more powerful than just two boys showing up on a riverside and the artist wanted to create this relic for everyone to see and remember. 

"Mini House"

Created by: Yoshiharu Tsukamoto and Momoyo Kaijima in 1998

Located in MAXXI Museum in Rome, Italy

This model of the mini house is created entirely out of wood. The artists of this piece are demonstrating new and innovative ways to see the world through this piece by using only wood for this entire model. It is usually rare to build a house out of wood now due to the high risk of disasters occurring. Most houses have wood in them, but it mainly is not just made out of wood. This house would be more opaque than the "House" because it has wood paneling covering majority of this house thus not letting any light through. This model is also functional because it can serve as a model for an actual house. With this model an accurate idea of a house can be imagined where it can be a functional piece of art. This house in a way idealizes the perception of houses because this house is so well built and almost perfect looking that it draws our eye because this is what we desire our houses to look like.

"House"

Created by: Sou Fujioto in 2011

Located in MAXXI Museum in Rome, Italy 

This piece of architecture depicts a creation of a house created out of Styrene, balsa wood, and Styrofoam. The artist of this piece is helping us to see the world in new and innovative ways. This model is made from only a few materials and is highly modernized. This building seems to be very translucent where I could imagine myself standing in this house and it being very full of light. This architecture is innovative in that the artist only used three materials, but made such an elaborate house that could represent an actual house that could be built. The artist has made a functional work of art because this lay out of the house could then be the model for an actual house that looks exactly like this one. This house is also functional in that it is made out of greener materials so it serves the purpose to protect the environment while still fulfilling the role of a house. This house appeals to our aesthetic senses through its sleek and modern, yet purposeful look. 

"The Colosseum" or "Flavian Amphitheater"

Located East of the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy.

Commissioned by Emperor Vespasian in A.D. 70-72 for the Roman People

The Colosseum is a massive stone amphitheater that was built in order to provide a place of entertainment for the Roman people. The builders of the "Flavian Amphitheater" helped the Roman people and the rest of world now see the world in new and innovative ways. This was incredible architecture that is still impressive today. The way this building was built is innovative in that the size of this building and the templates that were used were new during this time. The main medium of this building are stone blocks that were cut to fit perfectly together in order to create massive arches and walkways. To create all the arches of the Colosseum, the Romans made a model of one that they just used over and over throughout the building to create a quicker building time. This building was created in-situ and had been used in that exact location for hundreds of years. This architecture is also functional because it was used as a place for entertainment for the Roman people. The entire city of Rome would come out to watch gladiators or animal fights and the structure of this building allowed for very successful entertainment during that time period.  This building allowed for thousands of people to come together all at once and sit inside of this building to watch performances.