Rise and Fall of a Temple

This presentation at the Italian Cultural Institute London formed part of the Italian Research Projects collaboration between the Italian Cultural Institute London and the University of the Arts London.

On 3 March 2026, the Italian Cultural Institute London and the University of the Arts London presented the first of two evenings of artist talks showcasing research and artworks developed through the University of the Arts London Fine Art Research Fellowships at the British School at Rome. The fellowship supported academic staff engaged in practice-based fine art research, enabling them to spend time in Rome developing new work and investigating aspects of Italy’s cultural and historical heritage.

Eva Sajovic presented her project Rise and Fall of a Temple. which investigates the ideological foundations of empire, tracing their origins in Ancient Rome and examining their continued influence within contemporary systems of power. The project considered what might emerge from their collapse, approaching this possibility not with fear but as an opportunity for dialogue, imagination, and collective agency.

Juan Bolivar presented Intermediality in Roman Antiquity and Fresco Painting. Through painting, film, and drawing, Bolivar explored the intermedial qualities of Roman fresco painting, examining its materiality, facture, and social functions in relation to the subjects depicted, including food, music, and performance.

• https://bsr.ac.uk/italian-research-proje...
• https://www.evasajovic.co.uk/
• https://bsr.ac.uk/meet-the-artists-eva-s...
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3dhqeni...