The BSR

In the middle of November I settled in at for a six week stay at The British School at Rome (http://www.bsr.ac.uk/). The BSR is an educational institute for the study of awarded British scholars in the fields of archaeology, literature, music, and history of Rome and Italy of every period, and also the study of the fine arts and architecture. Located in the elegant Parioli district, the main structure of the British School at Rome was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, as a copy of the west front of St Paul's cathedral, for the British Pavilion at the International Exhibition held in Rome in 1911 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the unification of Italy.
In addition to the awarded scholars, there are others, like me, there to see and study in Rome while working on their own projects. My time there was relatively short, but it was long enough to fall in love with Rome and become more aware of its many layers. I was fortunate to have a great group of scholars and artists in residence while I was there. In addition to eating together in the dining room and enjoying the occasional "modest nightcap" in front of the fire, these new friends enriched my Roman experience in wonderful and unexpected ways.


This is the view looking out from the top steps of the BSR, as would be seen by Chris S. in the top picture, as he strikes his best Rocky Balboa pose after a run in the park. Those buildings you see are the Academies of other countries including Romania, Egypt, Sweden and Denmark. The Spanish and the incredibly posh American Academies are on the other side of the city near trendy Trastevere. Unfortunately there is no Canadian Academy in Rome.


This is the new Fiat 500, known as the cinquecento, with the BSR in the background. (for Nigel)




I am including this here because my friend Lisa G recently asked me "What the best thing you have purchased?" and this is what came to my mind. It is a magnet with St. Christopher and Brigitte Bardot. I assume the magnet was intended to be attached to the dashboard of a car, since back when Brigitte was making movies most dashboards were made of metal, and because St. Christopher is the patron saint of travel. He is usually represented like he is here, with little JC on his shoulders, much like how Luke carried Yoda. I happened upon it at a Sunday market not far from the BSR. It is special because it is relevant to the work I am doing this year, as it neatly brings together cinema, religion and travel in one kitschy package. Brigitte Bardot was the star of Jean-Luc Godard's Contempt, which was filmed at Cinecitta in Rome, and is one of the reasons I chose to stay in Rome for an extended period of time.


This is a toy car that one of the vendors at the same market gave me. This small act of kindness by an unknown Italian lady completed a lovely day out in the streets and markets of Rome on a perfectly clear, cool fall day. Being given this little toy reminded me of visiting my Grandma and my sweet Italian Aunts with my Mom when I was a little boy. Ummm, now I want homemade Italian cookies, and gnocchi with meatballs. (Mom, you know what I want to eat when I come home. I am arriving on a Sunday specifically so you would have time to prepare dinner for us!)


Here the same car, looking over my window ledge from my room at the BSR.


This cute little Italian car belongs to the BSR's beautiful archivist.


If we look inside, we can see who she has on top of her gear shift.
(that wasn't intended to sound lewd, forgive me lord)