I was not allowed to photograph on the site, due to restrictions by some of restrictions of the company leasing the grounds of Fort Ricasoli. It was a nice challenge because this forced me to draw more and I even dared to explore again my roots and watercolor a little bit. One of the nights in Malta I attended a party of some of the bachelor projects at the architecture school in Malta and I met Matthew. His bachelor project (and of some other 5 people) was in Fort Ricasoli. He hooked me up with a lot of good information including, CAD drawings, aerial photographs, a sketch up model and some historic background as well. I also found some information at the Malta National Library and also at the National Archives. We found the Maltese to be very generous and willing to share the information they had. While doing my research on military architecture and the fortifications of Malta I found a good architectural historian, Steven Spiteri. His books include some his hand sketch illustrations of the forts, which are very precisely done.
Here are some images of Fort Ricasoli:


Aerial View


Elevations by Steven Spiteri


Roman Road - Film Set


View from Valletta to Fort Ricasoli

On the way back to Copenhagen I stopped by Roma, Milano and Venezia. It was a very nice trip. I went to visit my old school in Rome and to revisit some of the places I enjoyed the most while I lived there. I also went to visit the MAXXI. They had a nice exhibition on Luigi Moretti’s work and a very inspiring video on Carlo Scarpa. It’s a very impressive building and I think it will add some very interesting debate in art and architecture in such a complex city like Rome. This is a giant step by the romans towards modern art and architecture.
In Venezia I went to the biennale. Unfortunatley I went on a Monday and the exhibition on I Giardini was closed. However, there is a lot to see at the Arsenale so I ended up staying most of the day inside of it. There are some very interesting works. Perhaps the country pavilions are not as successful as the installations. I enjoyed very much the film by Wim Wenders on the Rolex Learning Center. The installations by Olaffur Eliasson, Transsolar and Tetsuo Kondo Architects were very nice. I also enjoyed an audio installation by Janet Cardiff.
It was my first time at the biennale and I enjoyed it very much. The location, the Arsenale, is a fantastic place and Venezia itself, there is a lot to see and experience.


MAXXI


Transsolar and Tetsuo Kondo Architects - Venice Biennale