On May 16th, European broadcaster ARTE interviewed Justin Shubow, president of the National Civic Art Society, for a Reportage segment on American politics. The discussion centered on the architecture of the nation’s capital and the civic ideals it expresses.
Shubow drew a sharp contrast between the city’s classical landmarks, such as the National Gallery of Art (a "modern" building completed in 1941), and the harsh, unpopular Brutalism of structures such as the Hirshhorn Museum and FBI Headquarters.
“This is a city inspired by ancient Rome," said Shubow, "meant to be a new Rome: a timeless republic that will never die.”