Designed in 312 BC by the censor Appius Claudius, the Appia Antica, with its 2300 years, preserves a historical, archaeological and architectural heritage of inestimable value. However, its more recent history should not be underestimated: that of the twentieth century, a century that strongly redesigned the famous “regina viarum”. An exhibition held until 13 October at the Casale di Santa Maria Nova, in the heart of the Appia Antica Archaeological Park, turns the spotlight on the architectural, artistic and cultural ferment of the Appian Way during the modern era.THE ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY OF THE APPIA ANTICA GOES ON EXHIBITION Curated by Claudia Conforti, Roberto Dulio, Simone Quilici and Ilaria Sgarbozza, the monographic L’Appia è moderni brings together a selection of paintings, photographs, illustrations, advertising posters, architectural projects and archive material which, documenting the history architectural and artistic features of the “consular street”, provide a snapshot of a crucial century and its urban and social dynamics. Divided into six sections, the exhibition itinerary reviews the numerous projects signed by the most illustrious architects of the last century, including Marcello Piacentini, Raffaele De Vico, Enrico Del Debbio, Luigi Moretti, Sergio Musmeci (who was responsible for the viaduct just outside Porta San Sebastiano) and Lucio Passarelli, just to name a few. THE “MODERN” APPIA ANTICA BETWEEN VISUAL ARTS AND PHOTOGRAPHY Ample space is also reserved for artists who were inspired by the Appian Way: from Duilio Cambellotti and Giulio Aristide Sartorio, to the canvases by Francesco Trombadori and Carlo Socrate. We then retrace the story of Emilio Villa’s Appia Antica gallery which, in the 1960s, saw the debut of artists of the caliber of Mario Schifano and Piero Manzoni. After the war, the area became the fulcrum of a “pop” imagination fueled by great cinema, while Hollywood stars chose it as the location for their villas. An even more current section, dedicated to photography, brings together eight shots specially taken for the occasion by Francesco Jodice.[Immagine in apertura: Francesco Jodice, Via Appia, 2024, Epigrafe cementizia in via di Porta San Sebastiano]
