G20 at Fuksas's Nuvola: Italy's Modernity vs. Fascist Stereotypes
Architect and critic Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi defends the choice of hosting the G20 summit at the Nuvola (Cloud) convention center in Rome's EUR district, designed by Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas. He challenges Washington Post journalist Chico Harlan's criticism that the location evoked fascist ghosts, arguing that EUR was largely built after WWII and hosts diverse architecture from the 1950s onward. Puglisi emphasizes the symbolic value of the Nuvola: it served as a major COVID-19 vaccination hub, underscoring global health cooperation, and represents contemporary Italian design, countering stereotypes of Italy as a mere tourist Disneyland. He calls for greater communication efforts to dismantle entrenched interpretive stereotypes.
Key facts
- G20 summit held at Nuvola convention center in EUR district, Rome.
- Nuvola designed by Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas.
- Chico Harlan of Washington Post criticized location as evoking fascism.
- EUR district largely built after WWII, includes buildings from 1950s to present.
- Nuvola was a major COVID-19 vaccination hub.
- Puglisi argues Nuvola symbolizes Italy's capacity for contemporary architecture.
- Puglisi criticizes outdated symbolism in Italian political rhetoric.
- Article published on Artribune by Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi.
Entities
Artists
- Massimiliano Fuksas
- Doriana Fuksas
- Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi
Institutions
- Artribune
- Washington Post
- G20
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- EUR
- Nuvola