Rome Will be Built in a Day at the Arthouse [Art Preview]

For twenty-four hours over this weekend, an artist and a team of volunteers will accomplish a task said to be impossible: they will build Rome in a day. In her first exhibition in Texas, artist Liz Glynn will reprise her 24 Hour Roman Reconstruction Project at the Arthouse. Starting tonight at midnight, Glynn and a group of dedicated (if sleep deprived) volunteers will recreate the rise and fall of Rome in historical order, reenacting approximately 1.238 years of Roman history per minute. At midnight tonight, Romulus and Remus' huts will be built, at midnight tomorrow, Alaric and the Visigoths will destroy the empire of carefully constructed models.

Arthouse has also booked a schedule of speakers and performers to augment the manic construction. At 3:03 a.m. architectural designer J.M. Tate will discuss the arch as an important component in Roman architecture. At 9:45 a.m. on Saturday morning, a mock battle will be staged to explain the phenomenon of Pyrrhic Victory. At 2:27 p.m., two UT Austin Wrestling Team members will enact Empire vs. Republic Wrestling. At midnight, the city will be destroyed by the feet of the assembled crowd. Check out the full schedule of events for more information about musical performances, Bacchanalian Feasting, the great fire of Rome, and much more. Participation in the construction (and ultimately, the destruction) of the model Rome is encouraged; admission to the weekend's festivities are free.