Quick: What Are All the Italians Looking At?

I'm often asked if Romans, or people who live in Rome, ever stop seeing, or appreciating, the incredible ruins and sights around them.

Here's something I saw today that might go -- partway -- toward answering that question.

Exhibit A: A crowd gathered in Rome. I'd say it's 90-100 percent Italian.

Exhibit B: What they're looking at. (Can't tell? It's one of those street artists who use stencils and spray paint to make pretty cheesy-looking scenes, usually involving some kind of sunset, really quickly. If I weren't feeling particularly expansive today, I'd probably have quotes around the word artists).

Now, I'll admit that these artists can be pretty mesmerizing. There's something about the stencils, the speed... and, let's be honest, probably about the paint fumes, too.

But is it more mesmerizing than the other sights that you could see from the very same spot?

So: Let's be honest. The Italians here had probably seen the forum and Colosseum a million times. That neat trick with the stencils, though, that's something new. (Well, newer than 2,000 years old).

Which, of course, raises an interesting point. No matter how beautiful, old, and important, those sights you see every day do, at least sometimes, lose out in the fight for your attention. Even against the most gimmicky of distractions.

Comments

[Ronin]

While researching the hypogeum, I came across your Revealed Rome site and then Inking Italy and I must say that I really enjoy your articles. Ancient Roman history is my passion and I love how you blend the new with the old in your blogs. I live in Austin, Texas and dream daily of exploring Rome and her ancient Empire someday. Thanks so much and look forward to more from you.