24 Oct

According to our most recent readings, a successful translation occurs when not just an object, a scene, a concept is translated, but when that object’s depth of meaning– it’s expression is translated into something just as meaningful in a new context.

In the case of the Ara Pacis Museum by Richard Meier, a sense of narrative is translated from the Pax Romana to the 21st century viewer. The Ara Pacis itself is a monument: made for propaganda, it was to tell of the Augustan Golden Age, the prosperity of the republic and of the people, the implication of military victory, cultural revival; the list goes on. To tell the story of Roman peace brought by Caesar Augustus is the essence of the Ara Pacis, its very purpose in performing for Romans of the failed Republic.

The way it was viewed in 10 BC is very different than how it is viewed in 2010 CE. Today we don’t “read” this monument as a reiteration of the wonderful deeds our fearless leader has done for us. We don’t explicitly relate to its content, and it really has no direct effect on our lives. We view it as an artifact, behind the glass case of Meier’s museum.

Whether or not Meier’s architecture is reminiscent of or relevant to the classical Roman monument; is liked or disliked, is not my subject of discussion. But the translation of the monument’s narrative capacity from the Republic to modern day seems, to me, to be quite effective. It is what it is: an honest representation of how Rome preserves its history– except instead of open air and chain dividers, it’s a big glass box with white corners. However “tacky” or “unutilized” it is to have become a tourist attraction, Meier at least captures the current identity of historical Rome in his museum, and puts a pretty sweet light show on it, too.