Over the past two years, I have emerged as a cycling artist. It's a perfect way to be in the world and being able to crossing cities, suburban areas and vast stretches of nature in a good pace. I've just returned from a three-month cycling trip along the border with Finland and Russia. My goal was to, with use of a videocamera, to discover what it's like to live along the Russian border in these current political times. This resulted in wonderful encounters and poetic scenes in which local daily life and international tensions come together. In Rome, I will further develop this material. Last year I cycled from Amsterdam to Rome. As being a bit behind schedule, the last days of the trip, I whizzed past Etruscan villages and towns without stopping. I am now very curious about the architecture and social dynamics in these towns and villages, including the citylife of Rome itself. I read that the Etruscans lacked national political unity during their heyday. The cities were politically independent, but they did worship common shrines and formed alliances in times of war. Perhaps there are interesting parallels to be drawn with the present day, for example in the area of political governance.