The Parthenon I Never Built
An art history class project
It’s been long enough that I can admit a wrong that I committed. And I’m only slightly embarrassed about it.
Here’s the backstory. After completing one year of college, where I had way too much fun and completed very few credits, I dropped out and began what I refer to as my “wandering years.” I was a ski bum in Colorado. A clerk for missing medical files in Guys Hospital in London, England. A housekeeper for a Catholic priest in Sydney, Australia. The manager of a fudge shop in Cape May, New Jersey. A nanny to a family in Brussels, Belgium. And many jobs in restaurants: waitress, hostess, bartender, cook.
Eventually, I decided I was sick of crappy jobs and decided to go back to college and finish my bachelor’s degree. I needed to complete - due to my negligent first year - three and a half years of course work as an art history major. I put myself into overdrive and began taking 23 and 24 credits at a time when 15 or 16 were typical. In addition, I studied for and completed exams for one or two CLEP exams (College Level Examination Program) each semester. Yes, it was obsessive! I went to class, studied, ate, and slept. Nothing else. I graduated in two and a half years with decent grades.
One of my professors in Art History 101, where you study ancient art and architecture, gave us the assignment to build a model of the Parthenon to scale. I was fine with researching and writing papers. Studying and taking exams. Paying attention in class and answering questions. But building the Parthenon!
I left class, drove to see my mom - as one does when looking for comfort as a 25 year old - and cried.
There was no way I had the time to research, study, measure, do the math, create the drawings, purchase the materials, and build a model of the Parthenon. No way! It was worth a third of our grade. I would fail the class.
My mom, bless her generous and creative heart, offered to build my Parthenon. I sheepishly and very gratefully agreed.
It’s been a long while, but as I recall it was made from a combination of plywood, dowel rods, and cardboard, along with nails and lots of glue. I found a small wooden doll to stand in for Athena. And it had a removable roof.
On the day it was due, my Parthenon joined all the others, set gently on tabletops. Some were extraordinary in the details and materials. Others looked like middle school art projects done the night before they were due. Mine might be classified as slightly above average. But at least I had one to turn in. Thank you, Mom!
Even though I didn’t build it, I did learn a tiny bit about its history and architecture.
Built in the fifth century BCE
Dedicated to Athena, the patron deity of Athens
An excellent example of Doric architecture, along with some Ionic columns
Had many magnificent statues, including that of Athena. Some of them are in various museums. Others were destroyed or lost.
Known for its symmetry
Over time it has been a pagan temple, Christian church, Islamic mosque, and a gunpowder storehouse
So there it is. I’ve come clean. And, I still need to go to Greece so I can see it in person!
Do you have a story about something in your life that you didn’t complete? Or made a mistake about? That you’re willing to share! :)
Please join the new chat forum! I’ll add thoughts, questions, art, and ideas every day. Today’s question…
What's a museum that you've never visited, but you'd like to? And why would you want to visit it? Me, I'd love to visit the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. It has an amazing collection of art and the architecture looks stunning! Your turn! :)
Love this! I had no idea you had completed the art history degree in so few years !!