Antikythera Mosaic Open Studio: Contemporary Mosaic Transforms with Time at Museo Nazionale Romano
In March 2025, the Antikythera Mosaic Open Studio was inaugurated at Palazzo Massimo by the Museo Nazionale Romano, under the leadership of Federica Rinaldi. This initiative, which bridges ancient and contemporary mosaics, was organized by Stefania Vannini and brought to life by Carlotta Caruso and artist Christina Nakou. Collaborations with the Parco Archeologico Campi Flegrei (Fabio Pagano) and the American Academy of Rome (Aliza Won) support the project. The mosaic, measuring 1.5×5 meters, was crafted during Nakou's residency and features a sea wave, reflecting themes of time and change. It will eventually be installed on Mediterranean beaches to undergo natural decay. The workshop also included a hands-on comparison of a Roman mosaic with the modern creation, with future plans for installation at Castello di Baia.
Key facts
- Project launched in March 2025 at Museo Nazionale Romano, Palazzo Massimo, Sala IV
- Mosaic measures 1.5×5 meters, made of hand-cut white marble tesserae in gray hydraulic lime mortar
- Inspired by the 1st-century BC Antikythera shipwreck
- Mosaic will be placed on beaches in Antikythera, Baia, Kato Koufonissi, and Amathus to erode naturally
- Project involves Museo Nazionale Romano, Parco Archeologico Campi Flegrei, American Academy of Rome, and Christina Nakou
- Tactile workshop included a Roman mosaic of Hylas and the nymphs
- Mosaic created during Nakou's Visiting Artist residency at American Academy of Rome
- Project will continue with installation at Castello di Baia
Entities
Artists
- Christina Nakou
Institutions
- Museo Nazionale Romano
- Parco Archeologico Campi Flegrei
- American Academy of Rome
- Galleria Borghese
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Baia
- Campi Flegrei
- Antikythera
- Greece
- Kato Koufonissi
- Cyclades
- Amathus
- Cyprus
- Palazzo Massimo
- Castello di Baia