Dr. Stephanie Pilat (University of Oklahoma) and Professor Kay Bea Jones (Ohio State University), authors and co-editors of The Routledge Companion to Italian Fascist Architecture (2020), will present “Searching for Italy: Lessons from the Legacy of Fascist Architecture Today.”
The fascist regime constructed thousands of new buildings across the Italian peninsula, islands and in the colonial territories. From hospitals, government ministries and post offices to stadiums, housing, summer camps and party headquarters, the physical legacy of the regime maintains a presence in nearly every Italian city and post-colonial territory today. How residents, planners, artists and architects adapt and transform the physical legacy of fascism today reflects more than historic preservation trends or policies. What we do with the physical legacy of fascism reflects which parts of fascist history we valorize, which we neglect, as well as which histories get hidden from public view, diminished, overshadowed, revised and forgotten. In searching for Italy, Jones and Pilat will share some of the many stories of how the legacy of fascism is being reconsidered and rewritten by scholars, citizens and communities. They will then invite a discussion with the audience on the challenges of engaging contested historical sites today. A reception will follow at a location off-campus.
This event is free and open to the public.
The Humanities Institute and its related centers host a wide range of events, from intense discussions of works in progress to cutting-edge presentations from world-known scholars, artists, activists and everything in between.
We value in-person engagement at our events as we strive to amplify the energy in the room. But we also recognize the fact that not all our guests will be able to visit our space. Zoom access will be available to this event upon request. If you wish to have such access or have any other accommodation request, please send your request to Megan Moriarty: moriarty.8@osu.edu.
Photo: Luigi Moretti’s Casa delle Armi in Rome at the Foro Italico exterior (above right) and interior (above center)
