Tilted Argh!

Since its inception the Roman civilization had exalted its leaders. Rome had always awaited the arrival of good news from its generals with great concern; in hope of securing protection of the Empire. The Romans were tremendously respectful with their prominent figures. These leaders were highly motivated and determined to support the greatness of the State. Therefore, Romans willingly assumed expenditure on construction sites and monuments to commemorate the great victories of their exalted leaders. 

The Arc de Triomphe was undoubtedly the highest honor that could be offered to a general. It consisted of a triumphal entry and reception of the city to the victorious warrior. Although, it was ultimately a tool for the Roman Senate to maintain political power. The great honor’s architectural origin can be found in the egyptian Pilonos, or in the gates of the Etruscan cities. It’s important to note that the arch is only emblematic; sobriety and pride were inspired by the facade of the Tabularium.

The famous facade has the form of a door entering the city’s walls. It is isolated and unique to all other walls. The location of the facade is usually in the forums, at the entrance to a bridge, at the intersection of roads, or in prominent places to remind the glorious fact that it represents. 

Archs reflect the sense of using architecture as a testimony to greatness and power. But today there no longer exist emperors. We have to settled for newpolitical leaders, multinational corporations, and builders with bulldozers, cranes and technologically advanced machinery. Large buildings, with great architects and big budgets, are the new arches of triumph. These new triumphs don’t represent victiories won on the battle field , but the advancements of construction technology. 

Modern architecture goes beyond sculptures, reflecting civilization’s power better than anything else. Buildings like the Turning Torso Tower, the Agbar Tower, the Petronas Towers or the Guggenheim Museum of Bilbao are some examples worth mentioning. These architectural feats demonstrate the economic development of modern, turning these structures into emblems of their national or global economic status.

I propose an ironic tribute to the mentioned “power” by creating a triumphal arch in Cartagena to the housing market bubble. It would be formed only by a reticle of scaffoldings, mounted in such a way that formed a structure appearing like an arch. It would have a length of approximately 20 meters and a height of 10 meters (lengths would change depending on the type of scaffolding)
There is a type of scaffolding used in restoration of facades, which is quite stable and secure and includes stairs inside, so that if used for such a monument, it could easily be climbed and used as  a viewpoint.
The arch would be installed in the roundabout at the old bridge crossing Los Barreros neighborhood. To give the monument a greater sense of being a monument there should be grass  planted around it. 

Fact sheet Title: Tilted Argh Materials: Scaffolds, lawn Dimensions: 20 x 10 x 3 meters for the scaffolds´ structure, 1000 square meters the roundabout area. Location: Los Barreros neighborhood , Cartagena (Spain) Budget: scaffolding rental for 9 days and assembly..... EUR 3150+VAT = 3717 EUR