Romanesque House in Poreč, Croatia 1250

Editor: So, we’re looking at a building called “Romanesque House in Porec, Croatia,” dating back to 1250. It’s a fascinating example of architecture from that period. I’m immediately struck by how it looks both sturdy and precarious with that large wooden balcony on top of a stone base. What's your perspective on a work like this? Curator: For me, this structure is a powerful testament to the socio-political realities of its time. The Romanesque period was marked by feudalism, religious authority, and constant power struggles. How does this building reflect those realities, do you think? Editor: I guess the sturdy stone and small windows speak to defence? Curator: Exactly. But think about it further: Who needs defending, and from whom? The stone suggests a certain level of resources, who do you think was in a social position to mobilize the construction of the structure? Moreover, that overhanging wooden balcony, seemingly more fragile, also offers opportunities to survey, to *see* what approaches. So what does that tell us about lines of sight and who can or cannot be seen? Editor: I didn’t consider the surveillance aspect so much, so is that balcony some kind of display of power too? Curator: Precisely. And, consider the Romanesque style: the arches, the solid geometry, the overall sense of permanence, doesn’t it remind you of the powerful grip the Church held on the lives of everyday people during this era? How might that play out on the lives of marginalized groups: women, peasants, outsiders? Editor: Wow, I never thought about architecture speaking about oppression. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. When we see a building, we are never just seeing the aesthetic decisions; we are witnessing the material realities of a whole network of social, historical and political processes made visible. Editor: Definitely given me a whole new framework for viewing architectural works, thanks.