SPQR Proposal - FULL

SPQR ►

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A million bricks

Rocco Buttliere LEGO Artist • Architect • Chicagoan

seven hills

one eternal city

SQPR Landscape Project Proposal 2022

Designing To Inspire | Building A Vision Rocco Buttliere is an internationally recognized LEGO Artist with a passion for and a degree in architecture. A lifelong LEGO builder, he began his current body of work of original 1:650 scale models, titled Landmark | Landscape, in 2009. Since then, he has created more than fifty works depicting a multitude of world landmarks and geographically / historically accurate landscapes. Through his work, he strives to push the boundaries of LEGO parts usage with a particular emphasis on detail and accuracy, as well as to further the recognition of existing and long-since defunct sites of world heritage through a combination of rigorous dedication to historical context and meticulous craftsmanship rooted in a profound respect for historicity.

Since finishing his studies at Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Rocco has successfully adapted his artistic pursuits into a working business model, in lieu of a traditional architecture career. From his location in Chicago, he executes numerous commissioned works each year, while also exhibiting at all the BrickUniverse exhibitions as a featured artist.

For more information on Rocco, feel free to browse any of the social media content listed below, as well as view his CV / portfolio on Issuu at https://issuu.com/roccobuttliere.

RoccoButtliere.com

rjbuttliere@yahoo.com +1 (847) 542-3848

III

S E NAT V S

SPQR Landscape Project Proposal

Designing and building an enormous diorama of Imperial Rome

P O P V L V S QatVitsE 4th-century R O Mzenith A N VwillS serve to inspire countless children &

Thesis

adults for generations to come. It will provide endless educational value rooted in the timeless historical and architectural precedence of the Eternal City. Ambitious in its scope, such a LEGO landscape will have unrivaled potential to purvey critical lessons in world history while illustrating the Classical landmarks we all know as ruins in their pristine and richly colored provenance; giving them new depth through physical and geographical contextualization. Furthermore, the accessibility of such an artistic medium as LEGO to the broader public increases multifold the emotional resonance of the work on exhibit-goers and patrons alike, while sacrificing none of the historical accuracy and rigorous dedication to the historicity of the esteemed subject matter.

Ars Longa, Vita Brevis

V

Table of Contents

I

Maps

p. XII

III

Logistics

p. XX

V

Sponsorship

p. XXIV

p. VIII

Historicity

II

p. XVIII

Venues

IV

p. XXII

Proofs of Concept

VI VII

S E NAT V S

Maps

P O P V LV S Q V E

ROMANVS

The extents of the final piece will include every aspect of the 4th century CE city within the Aurelian Walls. The remains of these fortifications denote the urban core of Rome even today, while also encircling the vast majority of the ancient city’s key districts and geographic features.

In addition, the landscape will highlight critical infrastructural corridors - specifically roads and aqueducts - stretching just beyond the extents of the diorama.

Omnium Rerum Principia Parva Sunt

Overview - 4th Century CE

IX

Geography

Infrastructure

XI

S E NAT V S

Historicity

P O P V LV S Q V E

ROMANVS

The Roman civilization indelibly shaped the course of Western history. Its influence has permeated nearly every aspect of modern life, including literature, philosophy, social order, architecture and urban design. If Latin influence is foundational to modern society, then the City of Rome itself was once the cornerstone of the ancient world: Caput Mundi

Literature

Bede

“As long as the Colossus stands, Rome will stand, when the Colossus falls, Rome will also fall, when Rome falls, so falls the world.”

(7th - 8th century CE)

Vergil

“Where Lydian Tiber flows with gentle course between the fertile fields where heroes dwell. Prosperity, a kingdom ... are there obtained for you.”

(1st century BCE)

XIII

Architectural Typologies

Amphitheatre

Flavian Amphitheatre

Basilica

Basilica of Constantine Basilica Aemilia

Theatre

Theatre of Marcellus

Stadium

Circus Maximus

Domus Insulae

Historical Figures

Vespasian

Flavian Amphitheatre

Hadrian

Temple of Venus & Roma

Septimius Severus

Claudius

Arch of Septimius Severus

Temple of Divine Claudius

Vespasian

Temple of Vespasian

Constantine

Arch of Constantine

Titus

Arch of Titus

Julius Caesar Basilica Julia

XV

Terminology

“Colosseum”

Flavian Amphitheatre came to reference the nearby Colossus Solis

“Capitol”

Capitoline Hill

“Monetary”

Mint of Rome stood “ad monetam” (next to the Temple of Juno Moneta)

“Palace”

Imperial Domus atop Palatine Hill

Government

Curia Julia

Senate Meeting House

Tabularium

Government archive?

Forum Romanum

Public square among government buildings

XVII

S E NAT V S

Logistics

P O P V LV S Q V E

ROMANVS

A consistent throughline in my more than ten years’ worth of work has been the modularization of and readily transferable design standards to which each piece is executed. This allows for each project to be installed and deinstalled quickly and efficiently. SPQR will be designed according to this proven stratagem, ensuring that it will always be able to move to new venues, unlike museum dioramas of the past.

Acta Non Verba

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2025

IV

2024 23

20

III

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II

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2026

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for versatile shippin g a r rang eme

sions expan s 4 new flight case 2 new

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4 new expansions 2 new flight cases

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4 new 2 new expansion 1,000 s flight ,000 cases brick s

500,0

ensures quick

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for streamlined designed expa gem nsio a t a n Str

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s elve h s e shipp ed in prescribed flight cas

XIX

S E NAT V S

Venues

P O P V LV S Q V E

ROMANVS

Since 2011, my portfolio of exhibition venues has grown from primarily convention halls to include private galleries, atria / lobbies and museum exhibits. This continually widening range speaks to a quality of work which is conducive toward both varying exhibition durations and a variety of suitable display spaces. SPQR will be designed as such to accommodate a broad repertoire of potential venues.

Ad Meliora

B r i c kU n

iverse Exhibitions 2021

20 20

18

21

illun use, B O Ho

Museums

d & IIT Open Ho u s e , Chic ago

2021

Galleries

A tr

2017

ia / L o b bies

0

2 20

20 21

u da Imaginação, São Paulo Muse

LE G

vention Halls Con

2016

AM A

gen Plaz enha p a , Ch i o C , cago & Bella Center XXI

S E NAT V S

Sponsorship

P O P V LV S Q V E

ROMANVS

Integrating means by which individuals can directly contribute to the realization of SPQR will help ensure the continued designing + building of new expansions. Individuals can contribute via Patreon with any one of three available subscription models. Each tier offers exclusive rewards, process insights and collectable memorabilia only available to those who chose to sponsor.

Bis Dat Qui Cito Dat

Patreon Tiers DORIC $6 per month

IONIC $15 per month

• Photo Reveals (1 week early)

• All the benefits of DORIC Patrons

• Exclusive Articles (1 monthly)

• Model Film Reveals (1 week early)

• BrickUniverse Gallery Walkthrough (up to 1 monthly based on scheduled shows)

• AMA (Ask Me Anything) Posts (quarterly) • Signed 11”x17” Print of all-new piece (quarterly) • Exclusive looks at BUILD process *weeks before public reveal*

CORINTHIAN $32 per month

• All the benefits of DORIC & IONIC Patrons • Exclusive looks at DESIGN process *months before public reveal* • Custom Small Build + Instructions (up to 100 parts) (every 6 months) • 20% Discount for SPQR Custom Minifigures by BigKidBrix (1 per minifigure) • 30 Collectible 1x8 Printed Bricks commemorating SPQR Milestones (4 pediment / entablature bricks, 7 hills, 8 imperial baths, 11 aqueducts) • Quarterly Digital Book (highlighting Design + Build process / Historical Precedence of a single piece)

XXIII

S E NAT V S

P O P V LV S Q V E

Proofs of Concept

ROMANVS

Since 2019, I have completed no fewer than five successive LEGO landscapes varying in size from 66,000 parts in SPQR (2019) to more than 114,000 parts in Jerusalem (2021). All told, these works - and the rapid succession in which they were designed + built - provide viable proofs of concept for a broader SPQR proposal beyond any shadow of a doubt!

Veritas Odit Moras

I

SPQR - Imperial Rome

2020

III

Vatican City

2021

V

Taj Mahal

2019

Forbidden City

II

2020

First Century Jerusalem

IV

2021

XXV

SPQR - Imperial Rome (circa 320 CE under Constantine I)

cti on

o2 .0

Stud i 2.0

ate

dio Stu

Insta llati on

300+ hours in 32 days

AD

220+ hours in 24 days

Aut oC

• Build Time:

cons tru

eal d Rev

• Design Time:

91in x 54in (231cm x 137cm)

Temp le

Jan 2020

0-

1:650

Dec 2019

c2

• Scale:

Nov 2019

De

~66,000 (800+ unique)

Oct 2019 um osse Col

Museu da Imaginação (permanent exhibition)

• Parts:

• Dimensions:

Sept 2019

phy gra Geo

• Commission:

Aug 2019

XXVII

Forbidden City

(designed/built on-faith during pandemic)

Mar 2020

Apr 2020

• Commission (on-faith): Museu da Imaginação (permanent exhibition)

May 2020

Me

ate an G ridi

Jun 2020

Jul 2020

Aug 2020

Oute r Co urt Me

o2 .0

Stud i

dio Stu 400+ hours in 43 days

a ry ond

Prim ar y

300+ hours in 34 days

S ec

• Build Time:

al d ate

• Design Time:

56in x 72in (143cm x 183cm)

July 2 4-R eve

• Dimensions:

2.0

1:650

aphy otogr

• Scale:

/P h tion duc Pro

~84,000 (700+ unique)

dia

• Parts:

XXIX

Vatican City

(world’s first LEGO diorama of an entire sovereign country) Jul 2020

e

o2 .0

Stud i 2.0

Sustain ed

dio Stu 500+ hours in 70 days

ces eren Ref

Goo gle Ear t

h

300+ hours in 28 days

c phi

• Build Time:

Pal ac

Med i a Cov era ge

• Design Time:

52in x 68in (131cm x 173cm)

Apos tolic

Dec 2020

ction rodu

1:650

tro

Nov 2020

P eo

• Scale:

Pie San

Oct 2020

Vid

~67,000 (1,300+ unique)

• Dimensions:

di zza Pia

BrickUniverse, LLC (Featured Artist Gallery)

• Parts:

Sept 2020

Gra

• Exhibition Piece:

Aug 2020

XXXI

First Century Jerusalem (Second Temple Period circa 70 CE)

Jan 2021

es of D ncy e i ic Eff

Museu da Imaginação (permanent exhibition)

2.0

dio Stu

Textua l Re fere

nce s

400+ hours in 50 days

D oCA Aut

• Build Time:

520+ hours in 60 days

ti o n

• Design Time:

102in x 70in (260cm x 178cm)

Institut i on a l R e co g ni

• Dimensions:

Jun 2021

Tem ple

Artis ti 1:650

Seco nd

May 2021

ction rodu

• Scale:

ign

Apr 2021

P eo

~114,000 (900+ unique)

Mar 2021

Vid

• Parts:

Feb 2021

c In spir atio n

• Commission:

Dec 2020

XXXIII

Taj Mahal

(first-ever LEGO diorama of the full Taj Mahal complex)

Aug 2021

Ma

ce

1:650

n eara App

• Scale:

eo

~17,600 (550+ unique)

Darw azaI Ra uza

Vid

• Parts:

leum

o2 .0

BrickUniverse, LLC (Featured Artist Gallery)

u so

Sept 2021

Stud i

• Exhibition Piece:

Jul 2021

2.0

dio Stu

De but

120+ hours in 14 days

Graph ic R e fere nce s

75+ hours in 8 days

D oCA Aut

• Build Time:

ibiti on

• Design Time:

21in x 43in (53cm x 108cm)

Public Exh

• Dimensions:

XXXV

Festina Lente

rjbuttliere@yahoo.com roccobuttliere.com

Designing To Inspire | Building A Vision

© Rocco Buttliere MMXXII