A Day in Pompeii
With the Massive Sculptures of Igor Mitoraj, 2016
Have a fun Friday!
Join Mark and me on our 2016 exploration of the captivating UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pompeii—an Italian treasure steeped in history and allure. Nestled near Naples, Italy, this ancient city traces its roots back to the 6th or 7th century BCE when it thrived with flourishing agriculture, bustling trade, and opulent public structures and leisure amenities.
But fate had a different plan for Pompeii. In the year AD 79, Mount Vesuvius unleashed its fury, showering the city with layers of volcanic ash and pumice. This catastrophe claimed thousands of lives and forever concealed Pompeii beneath meters of unforgiving volcanic debris.
In 2016, my partner in life and adventure, videographer Mark Schulze, and I embarked on a cinematic adventure through the ruins of this ancient city. Our goal? To unveil the timeless charm of Pompeii while shedding light on the magnificent sculptures crafted by the Polish artist Igor Mitoraj which graced the ancient grounds for only a year.
Igor Mitoraj's masterpieces were strategically placed throughout the archaeological site, seamlessly blending modern artistry with the echoes of history.
Join us as we walk along ancient pathways past Mitoraj's intricate sculptures, and tour Pompeii. Enjoy the frescoes, intricate mosaics, and even some of the hapless victims preserved in pumice that have intrigued historians and archaeologists for centuries. It’s a window into the daily life of ancient Rome, a world that continues to fascinate.
The Forum, the Basilica, amphitheaters, and the city's advanced water supply and drainage system all come to life before your eyes.
Only one of Mitoraj’s 30 sculptures remains on site to this day, the Greek mythological craftsman Daedalus, who stands as both a protector and a guide from modernity into the ancient world.
Patty Mooney is a San Diego video producer. Alongside her husband, Mark Schulze, she has co-helmed San Diego’s longest-serving video production company, Crystal Pyramid Productions (est. 1981), since 1982. She is an avid mountain biker, travel adventurer, story-teller and poet.