Light Beams to Color Rome Column

"Basically, we will be painting the column with light beams. People will be able to see the monument as it appeared to the ancient Roman world for a few minutes every hour at night. Then the column will return to its present white marble state," Anastasi said.

The project, which is scheduled for 2009, is part of a wider scheme to light up the entire Roman Forum.

"We are going to use a dynamic concept of lighting. Light will be turned on at different times to produce a more readable and evocative view of the entire area," said Corrado Terzi, a professor of industrial design at Rome's La Sapienza University.

To paint the Trajan Column, Anastasi's team will employ computer-controlled light projectors and high-definition films.

"We have tested the technology on a bas-relief copy of the column at the restoration fair in Ferrara. Visitors first thought it was a photograph. As they got closer, they perceived the relief, the shadows, and the unusual paint for the battle scenes.

"Light painted the column like a child would paint his drawings," Anastasi said.

Related Links:

Rossella Lorenzi's blog: Archaeorama

The Roman Forum

Emeror Trajan