Monumentality and monumental architectural phenomena have forever fascinated the general public and scholars in archaeology
Monumentality and monumental architectural phenomena have
forever fascinated the general public and scholars in archaeology, art history,
urban studies and anthropology alike. Monumentality is difficult to describe in
universal terms due to its very tight correlation to the cultural sphere in
which a specific monumental feature belongs. What may be considered monumental
by some may be considered no more than normal by others. Monumental features,
specifically monumental architecture, do seem to have some universal
characteristics in common, often defined as: ‘ great in importance, extent, or
size’. The word ‘monument’ is defined as: (1) A statue, building, or other
structure erected to commemorate a notable person or event; (2) A structure or
site of historical importance or interest; (3) An enduring and memorable
example or reminder... The word itself comes from the Latin word, monumentum, from monere: to remind. A few decades ago, Trigger defined monumental
architecture as: «when its scale and elaboration exceeds the requirements of
any practical functions that a building is intended to perform». More recently,
monumental architecture was described as: «... [an] ongoing, constantly
renegotiated relationship between
thing and person, between the monument(s) and the person(s) experiencing the
monu- ment». These and many other discussions of the monumental and
specifically monumental architecture, form an important theme of the book under
review and bring together several concepts that play a larger or smaller role
in the content of this 2016 publication by B. Santillo Frizell. The main title of
the book: ‘Tra Terra e Cielo’, may confuse buyers because two other books with
the same title exist, including another archaeological publication with a related
content. The book reviewed here is composed of an introduction, three large
main chapters, and a brief epilogue. A bibliography and an illustration list finishes
it off.
Data recensione: 01/11/2018
Testata Giornalistica: Gnomon
Autore: Ann Brysbaert