The event will take place at Bioparco di Roma in Villa Borghese, Viale del Giardino Zoologico 20. The meeting point is located in front of the entrance of the park, at H14:15. Free entry, registration required. Register here. 

I pomeriggi series 2021/2022
I pomeriggi 2021/2022 at Istituto Svizzero is a series dedicated to our fellows. It is an opportunity for the public to learn more about the projects they are working on during this year’s residency.

The event is curated by Martin Chramosta (Fellow Roma Calling 2021/2022).
Performers: Pietro Librizzi, Louise Hervé.

Rocks

In his artistic practice, Martin Chramosta works between sculpture and performance. Currently in residence at Istituto Svizzero in Rome, Martin explores artificial landscapes. His research, indeed, started from the rocky scenarios of the Roman zoo, built at the beginning of the 20th century.

The event consists of a tour of the zoo ‘accompanied’ by artificial rocks, to get in touch with the structure, the architecture, the landscapes and its inhabitants. Following, drinks will be served with the possibility to explore the zoo independently until the closing of the gates.

The Roman Zoo was inaugurated in 1911. The Hamburg merchant Carl Hagenbeck designed the structure and procured the animals. At the time, the development of naturalistic fences without bars was considered something revolutionary.
The Swiss sculptor Urs Eggenschwyler, who had already contributed to the design of several zoos in Europe, was responsible for the landscape design. Known to be an eccentric character, Eggenschwyler would sometimes take a lioness on a leash for a walk in his home town in Zurich.
The structures, made of cast stone, create a highly theatrical effect and are often hollowed out inside to contain the animals’ dens. In 1930, the Municipal Museum of Zoology was integrated into the structure and, in 1933, the zoo was extended by architect Raffaele De Vico. The large aviary and the reptile house date from that time.

The zoo, now called Bioparco, has repeatedly been the subject of literary debate. The Austrian writer Robert Musil wrote the short story Monkey Island (Die Affeninsel), dedicated to the zoo. More recently, the Swiss writer Pascal Janovjak and former Fellow of Istituto Svizzero, published his novel Lo zoo di Roma (Le zoo de Rome).

Access is allowed only to those who obtained the Reinforced Green Pass health certificate, which proves vaccination or recovery. It is mandatory to wear a Ffp2 face mask within the spaces.