In in 79 AD, the city of Pompeii, located near modern-day Naples, was destroyed and buried by a volcanic eruption from Mount Vesuvius. This eruption buried Pompeii under 4 to 6 meters of ash and pumice, and it was lost for over 1,500 years before its accidental rediscovery in 1599.
Since Pompeii’s discovery, much attention has been give to ensuring that the city’s remains continue to stand as monuments to history. However, apparently this attention has not been enough.
Earlier today, according to a New York Times article, two more walls of Pompeii have collapsed. “Critics say that the government has been remiss in overseeing and financing basic maintenance at the fragile site.”
Pressure is now being placed on the overseers of Pompeii to better care for the city’s remains. Hopefully increased restoration work will be done so these ruins will continue to stand for years to come.
It would be tragic and ironic if the remaining architecture crumbled now while a volcano could not destroy it hundreds of years ago.
Preserving great art “forever” is a physical challenge. There is a new Armory Show I will definitely be checking out:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/03/arts/design/03greenaway.html?scp=1&sq=armory&st=cse
Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Last Supper,” re created! No reason to fly to Milan!
this is all related to the idea of the “Anxiety of Influence,” first discussed by Harold Bloom, regarding poetry. Makes a nice tie-in with our upcoming poetry reading.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Anxiety_of_Influence