About the Project / Acknowledgements
Deception by Design: Lessons from Forgeries was co-curated by students enrolled in “AHAR 317: Introduction to Museum Studies,” during the 2025 Spring term at the American University of Rome, under the direction of Prof. Ambra Spinelli, Archaeology & Classics Department.
This online exhibition shares the work of AUR students and faculty who have collaborated with the Italian Comando Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale (Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, known as TPC), who generously provided forgeries seized during the most recent years for study and educational purposes.
This project highlights the important role of academic institutions and the Italian police force specialized in saving cultural property to foster learning, research, creativity, and protection of cultural heritage among students.
Curators
Isabela Alongi, Plamena Andreeva, Eva Brent, Franklin Chung, Viola De Martini, Mikala Dean, Caroline Fenstermacher, Elena Jakovljevic, Elena Ladron Posadas, Nevin Mann, Samantha McGee, Adriana Ptacek, Mia Roig, Rebecca Smith, Ambra Spinelli, Taylor Suchevits, Maria Sofia Tan, Erika Tunuzlyan, Anna Varrell, Ruby Verrett, and Makenzie Webster.
Collaborators
Agata Boetti, Margherita Contestabile, Crispin Corrado, Federico Fasson, Valentina Follo, Annie Cohen-Solal, Christy Schirmer, and Elizabeth Wueste.
Exhibition Design and Technology
This online exhibition was designed by Federico Fasson, PhD. Candidate in Patrimoni Archeologici Storici Architettonici e Paesaggistici Mediterranei (PASAP–med.) at the Università degli Studi Aldo Moro in Bari, in collaboration with staff at AUR Academic Technology: Rosa Fusco, Harry Greiner, and Daniele Torri.
It was created using the following technologies: Google Site, HTML5/CSS, and Agisoft Metashape. Models are hosted on www.sketchfab.com.
Acknowledgements
The American University of Rome would like to thank the Italian Comando Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale (TPC) for granting permission to study and research the forged works of archaeological and modern art produced in the 21st century.
Our deepest gratitude goes to the whole Carabinieri Command TPC, and especially Colonnello Paolo Befera and Maresciallo Maggiore Monica Satta for their generous support, dedication, and tireless efforts in assisting us.
These forgeries have enriched student learning and awareness of protecting and preserving authentic cultural heritage from diverse geographical and chronological settings.
The American University of Rome would like to thank the Italian Comando Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale (TPC) for granting permission to study and research the forged works of archaeological and modern art produced in the 21st century.
Our deepest gratitude goes to the whole Carabinieri Command TPC, and especially Colonnello Paolo Befera and Maresciallo Maggiore Monica Satta for their generous support, dedication, and tireless efforts in assisting us.
These forgeries have enriched student learning and awareness of protecting and preserving authentic cultural heritage from diverse geographical and chronological settings.