THERE IS LIFE UNDERNEATH THE ASHES: POMPEII AND ITS APPROPRIATION

Abstract

My dissertation topic There is life underneath the ashes: Pompeii and its appropriation is the result of my personal curiosity and a daring challenge. I set off bearing in mind that I had to see Pompeii as an art(istic) form, and despite the fact that my aim was not altered, I did remain astonished that the whole world is still stirred and touched by the continuous findings during the excavations. Through its unearthing and exposure, Pompeii advanced from a city that faced its destruction to a setting encoded with meaning, with life - or rather the absence of it, a genuine embodiment of human suffering. It became a fascination for artists, captivating everyone as a gap in time taking one back into the ancient world. The site of Pompeii and its artefacts are filled with hidden layers of significance, and that is why it is repeatedly seen as a moment frozen in time. It is displayed to the public through exhibits and artworks, that through constant adaptations, transformations of our own experiences. Whether conveyed through works of art, literature or films, our perception of Pompeii displays a connection between historical truth(s) and its appropriation.