Weeds Against Stones: Resistances
Marion Blake, Telesia. General type of pseudo opus reticulatum (Telese, Italy), 1947-1961, vintage print (American Academy in Rome, Photographic Collection).
This event is presented as part of the public programming for the exhibition Women and Ruins: Archaeology, Photography, and Landscape on show at the Academy until November 9, 2025.
The photographs in Women and Ruins record the spontaneous growth of weeds—dandelions, rocket, and capers—amongst classical and architectural ruins. The relationship with time established by the vegetal world and the vestiges of the past is one that fascinated artists throughout centuries. The persistence of nature in ruins is the focus of this participative workshop. Rather than offering a romantic and aesthetic appreciation of ruins and nature, we will discuss the hybrid formations, from trees in walls to caves with layered accumulations and the many anomalous plants and minerals that sprung in crevices of buildings.
Through a series of screenings, talks, installations, artworks, and performances we will draw links between the early twentieth century photographs of Gertrude Bell, the Bulwer sisters, Esther Van Deman, Marion Blake, and the work of contemporary architects and artists to display, reflect, and discuss the enduring relationship between ruins and nature and nature and ruins.
This event is made possible thanks to the support of the ENEL Foundation.
Participants include ENEL Italian Fellows: Francesca Berni (2021), Sabrina Morreale (2024), and Giovanna Silva (2019); 2026 Italian Fellow in Musical Composition Marta De Pascalis; 2026 Resident in Visual Arts Gala Porras-Kim; and OGR Torino Curator Samuele Piazza.
For access to the Academy, guests will be asked to show a valid photo ID. Backpacks and luggage with dimensions larger than 40 x 35 x 15 cm (16 x 14 x 6 in.) are not permitted on the property. There are no locker facilities available. You may not bring animals (with the exception of seeing-eye/guide dogs).
The Academy is accessible to wheelchair users and others who need to avoid stairs. Please email us at events@aarome.org if you or someone in your party uses a wheelchair or other mobility devices so that we can ensure the best possible visitor experience. If you are someone with a disability or medical condition that may require special accommodation, please also email us at events@aarome.org.