asisi Panometer – ROME 312
The superlative panorama
The world’s largest 360° panorama ROME 312 at the asisi Panometer Leipzig, created by the artist Yadegar Asisi, literally transported its visitors to the middle of Rome in late antiquity.
The circular painting was monumental in its dimensions, 106 metres long and 31 metres high. From the viewing platform at the centre, twelve metres above ground, there was a breathtaking view of the ancient city on the river Tiber, from its temples, thermal baths and tenement houses, over to the mountain ranges on the horizon. On this day, October 29, 312, there is much hustle and bustle in the streets of the city – the triumphant Emperor Constantine and his soldiers are being welcomed back from their victory against the usurper Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.
The panorama, over 3,000 m2 in size, was on display at the asisi Panometer in Leipzig from November 26, 2005 to February 1, 2009, taking its viewers on a journey back in time to antiquity during the reign of the Emperor Constantine. Based on the historical “Panorama of Rome with the Entry of Constantine in the Year CCCXII” created by Josef Bühlmann and Alexander Wagner in 1889, Asisi’s circular painting is an original–size photorealistic simulation of the legendary metropolis built on the seven hills.
The viewer, completely surrounded by the gigantic picture on all sides, felt Asisi’s Roman scenery come to life all around him. Stunning light and sound effects, along with music specially composed by Eric Babak, made this a unique experience involving all the senses. “Rome 312” was created using a unique mixture of classical painting and state-of-the-art image processing technology on the computer. The largest 360° panorama in the world was printed on soft polyester fabric, weighing a mere 600 kg.
»Rome 312« – The accompanying exhibition
All of Yadegar Asisi’s panoramas are accompanied by an exhibition with attractive exhibits and detailed background information on the theme of the circular picture. In the exhibition accompanying “Rome 312”, detailed information was given on daily life in ancient Rome, the customs of its citizens and inhabitants, and famous architectural highlights. There was also a film showing the making of the panorama, which was at that time the largest in the world.
There were casts of exhibits from the antique collection of the University of Leipzig, paintings, architectural sketches and models of famous Roman buildings, for example the Pantheon. Interesting texts and amusing quotes by personalities from antiquity made the exhibition a special experience. The highlight of the exhibition was a 15m high anamorphosis (spatial simulation) of the colossal statue of the Emperor Constantine, of which only fragments remain. This was the world’s first original-size reconstruction of the statue.
The anamorphosis of the divine Emperor Constantine
He stares into the distance, his thoughts far from all earthly things, holding a sceptre and globe as signs of his power: the mighty Roman Emperor Constantine sat enthroned as a 12-metre-high colossal statue, set on a plinth 3 metres in height. Or more correctly, he seemed to sit – for the colossus was a spatial simulation, an anamorphosis, which played with the perception of its viewers.
This was the world’s first original-size reconstruction of the ancient sculpture, of which only fragments remain. It was created on the occasion of the Year of Constantine in 2007, in cooperation with the Constantine Exhibition Society. Once again, Yadegar Asisi and his team bring history to life in the present day.
The curators of the Rome exhibition were Prof. Dr. Karl-Wilhelm Weeber (history of everyday Roman life) and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schäche (architectural history).
Artistic development and panorama: Yadegar Asisi
Music: Eric Babak
Curators: Prof. Dr. Karl-Wilhelm Weeber and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schäche
Coordination and exhibition design: Marina Rütten
