Explorations in Academic Writing, Architecture, Design, & Art
The term disegno, which comprises a part of the URL for this website comes from the Latin transitive verb designare – to appoint, designate, propose, or intend. In English the word comes from the Italian, disegno. In Medieval times, the term originally meant the proposal or intent in the creation of buildings (primarily churches).
In the Italian Renaissance disegno became associated with ideas (including partial ideas) generated in the mind and captured in simplified form; or, more directly, with the intent of an artist when creating something. The emphasis of this new interpretation was on developing creative ideas and originality – something I try to adhere to today in my work.
The Industrial Revolution changed our ideas about design. Here, the emphasis was on product production and reproduction – a far cry from the Renaissance nation of idea generation. My work as both a scholar and lecturer is to try and make students and designers consider going back to the renaissance ideal of disegno to produce more creative and interdisciplinary work.
Welcome to My Website
My name is Dennis Rovere and I am both an award-winning author (non-fiction) and award winning architect (now retired). Over the course of my career, my interests were, and still are, quite varied. Therefore, consider this site as an ongoing and evolving place where I can share with you some of my thoughts and works as they relate to writing, architecture, Chinese history and archaeology, art, and design.