Jack Greenberg (그린버그 잭)
@jackwgreenberg.bsky.social
Independent Researcher and Freelance Writer. Former Global 🇰🇷 Scholar. 고려대학교 and McGill Alumnus. Currently working on contested histories, memory sites, and Korea’s truth commission.
📧 [email protected]
‘Ggachi’ on Substack (ggachi.substack.com)
📧 [email protected]
‘Ggachi’ on Substack (ggachi.substack.com)
Tonight’s read: The Korean War as experienced by one of Indonesia’s best known authors and most respected journalists.
December 21, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Tonight’s read: The Korean War as experienced by one of Indonesia’s best known authors and most respected journalists.
Maybe then you would see it as a ghost of Italy’s violent colonialism, which actually began under the liberal order but intensified under fascism.
December 20, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Maybe then you would see it as a ghost of Italy’s violent colonialism, which actually began under the liberal order but intensified under fascism.
Or that it was built in 1936 when Italy, under Mussolini, was rapidly accelerating its efforts to dominate East Africa under the guise of liberation rather than conquest. And that the concentric diamond façade is meant to glorify Ethiopia’s annexation in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War.
December 20, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Or that it was built in 1936 when Italy, under Mussolini, was rapidly accelerating its efforts to dominate East Africa under the guise of liberation rather than conquest. And that the concentric diamond façade is meant to glorify Ethiopia’s annexation in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War.
How would it change if I told you its name is Palazzo Faccetta Nera (Black Face); a name it shares with a racist and sexist marching song that glorfies the purchase, enslavement, and rape of Abyssinian/other African women.
December 20, 2025 at 6:26 AM
How would it change if I told you its name is Palazzo Faccetta Nera (Black Face); a name it shares with a racist and sexist marching song that glorfies the purchase, enslavement, and rape of Abyssinian/other African women.
If I didn’t tell you anything about this building what would be your impression?
December 20, 2025 at 6:24 AM
If I didn’t tell you anything about this building what would be your impression?
Liceo Scientifico Augusto Righi (1936-40) at Viale Pepoli 3 is another example of rational and fascist architecture in Bologna. It originally opened in 1923 under the Gentile Reform at Piazza San Domenico, and was one of Italy's 1st specialized science high schools. The bas-relief is by Bruno Boari.
December 19, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Liceo Scientifico Augusto Righi (1936-40) at Viale Pepoli 3 is another example of rational and fascist architecture in Bologna. It originally opened in 1923 under the Gentile Reform at Piazza San Domenico, and was one of Italy's 1st specialized science high schools. The bas-relief is by Bruno Boari.
This mural is painted on the property of a doctor and it depicts Ilio Barontini, a partisan and veteran of the Spanish Civil War who helped lead Ethiopia’s resistance against Mussolini’s colonial occupation. He later served in Italy's Constituent Assembly and was a Senator from the Communist Party.
December 19, 2025 at 9:18 AM
This mural is painted on the property of a doctor and it depicts Ilio Barontini, a partisan and veteran of the Spanish Civil War who helped lead Ethiopia’s resistance against Mussolini’s colonial occupation. He later served in Italy's Constituent Assembly and was a Senator from the Communist Party.
This Church, Santa Maria del Suffragio, was a random find on via Libia in the Cirenaica district. Planning began in the 1920s, and the design was overseen by engineers Italo Gasperi Campani and Rodolfo Bettazzi. Construction took place in the 1950s. Underneath there is a 500-seat theatre.
December 19, 2025 at 9:07 AM
This Church, Santa Maria del Suffragio, was a random find on via Libia in the Cirenaica district. Planning began in the 1920s, and the design was overseen by engineers Italo Gasperi Campani and Rodolfo Bettazzi. Construction took place in the 1950s. Underneath there is a 500-seat theatre.
Le Corbusier & Pierre Jeanneret designed Pavillon de l'Esprit Nouveau for the 1925 Exposition International des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Fondation Le Corbusier architects and technicians reconstructed it in Bologna in 1977 when the idea was proposed by Giuliano & Glauco Gresleri + José Oubrerie.
December 19, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Le Corbusier & Pierre Jeanneret designed Pavillon de l'Esprit Nouveau for the 1925 Exposition International des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Fondation Le Corbusier architects and technicians reconstructed it in Bologna in 1977 when the idea was proposed by Giuliano & Glauco Gresleri + José Oubrerie.
Casa Materna (1943) at 2 via A. Zanolini originally operated as Opera Nazionale Maternita e Infanzia. This was a gov't agency that addressed high rates of infant mortality. The bas-reliefs at are by Bruno Boardi. Quotes by Mussolini once greeted visitors at the entrance but were removed in 1985.
December 18, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Casa Materna (1943) at 2 via A. Zanolini originally operated as Opera Nazionale Maternita e Infanzia. This was a gov't agency that addressed high rates of infant mortality. The bas-reliefs at are by Bruno Boardi. Quotes by Mussolini once greeted visitors at the entrance but were removed in 1985.
Palazzo Lancia at 28 Via Marconi in Bologna is another work of Paolo Graziani. Completed in 1937, it is notable for its windowed corner tower.
December 18, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Palazzo Lancia at 28 Via Marconi in Bologna is another work of Paolo Graziani. Completed in 1937, it is notable for its windowed corner tower.
These two bas-relief panels, which adorn Casa del Contadino or Agricultural Advisory Centre at 67 Via Guglielmo, were also made by Farpi Vignoli. The building was constructed in 1940 for the National Fascist Agricultural Corporation, but later became the headquarters of a trade union.
December 18, 2025 at 8:53 AM
These two bas-relief panels, which adorn Casa del Contadino or Agricultural Advisory Centre at 67 Via Guglielmo, were also made by Farpi Vignoli. The building was constructed in 1940 for the National Fascist Agricultural Corporation, but later became the headquarters of a trade union.
This grave in Certosa cemetery belongs to Professor Fabio Frassetto (1876-1953), the founder of the University of Bologna's Anthropology Department. It was designed by Farpi Vignoli (1907-1997), and features Frasseto in conversation with his son, Flavio (1912-1945) who was killed in World War II.
December 18, 2025 at 8:49 AM
This grave in Certosa cemetery belongs to Professor Fabio Frassetto (1876-1953), the founder of the University of Bologna's Anthropology Department. It was designed by Farpi Vignoli (1907-1997), and features Frasseto in conversation with his son, Flavio (1912-1945) who was killed in World War II.
Engineer Paolo Graziani (1881-1960) designed this 1934 building, Palazzo Scardovi, on an irregular sized lot at Porta Santo Stefano in Bologna. It is informally known as "The Bidet" because of its undulating facade.
December 18, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Engineer Paolo Graziani (1881-1960) designed this 1934 building, Palazzo Scardovi, on an irregular sized lot at Porta Santo Stefano in Bologna. It is informally known as "The Bidet" because of its undulating facade.
The painting features numerous figures related to Italian and international Communism, including Stalin, Lenin, Brezhnev, Rosa Luxemburg, Ho Chi Minh, Antonio Gramsci, and Pablo Neruda. Who else can you spot?
December 18, 2025 at 8:37 AM
The painting features numerous figures related to Italian and international Communism, including Stalin, Lenin, Brezhnev, Rosa Luxemburg, Ho Chi Minh, Antonio Gramsci, and Pablo Neruda. Who else can you spot?
On my first day in Bologna I saw Renato Guttuso's "Funerali di Togliatti," an unconventional history painting commemorating Palmiro Togliatti, the long-time leader and architect of the Italian Communist Party. It took eight years to complete and is four times larger than originally planned.
December 18, 2025 at 8:36 AM
On my first day in Bologna I saw Renato Guttuso's "Funerali di Togliatti," an unconventional history painting commemorating Palmiro Togliatti, the long-time leader and architect of the Italian Communist Party. It took eight years to complete and is four times larger than originally planned.
#yearinreview: Renowned Italian artist Gino Severini’s Agriculture Frieze in the atrium of Rome’s Palazzo dei Ricevimenti e dei Congressi, completed in 1953 and commissioned by the Federation of Agrarian Consortia during the same year’s Agricultural Exhibition.
December 18, 2025 at 7:48 AM
#yearinreview: Renowned Italian artist Gino Severini’s Agriculture Frieze in the atrium of Rome’s Palazzo dei Ricevimenti e dei Congressi, completed in 1953 and commissioned by the Federation of Agrarian Consortia during the same year’s Agricultural Exhibition.
Was going to visit a hermitage in Angang-eup yesterday evening but my wife didn’t feel comfortable driving up the unpaved and winding road. Instead turned back and saw the Thirteen-story Stone Pagoda at Jeonghyesa Temple Site, a National Treasure presumed to have been built around the 9th century.
December 2, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Was going to visit a hermitage in Angang-eup yesterday evening but my wife didn’t feel comfortable driving up the unpaved and winding road. Instead turned back and saw the Thirteen-story Stone Pagoda at Jeonghyesa Temple Site, a National Treasure presumed to have been built around the 9th century.
“이 글은 거창한 역사 기록도 아니고 흥미진진한 소설은 더더군다나 아닌, 그저 내 아버지의 이야기에 불과하다. 그러나 동시에 세상 모든 우리네 아버지들의 이야기이 기도 하다. 그동안 미디어를 통해 접했던 광주 5.18이 크고 넓은 강의 본류라면, 이 이야기는 본류 주변에 형성되어 흐르고 있는 자잘한 지류라고 할 수 있다. 사소하고 평범한 소시민의 일상이 어떻게 역사로 편입되는지 이야기 하고 싶었다.”
November 27, 2025 at 1:26 PM
“이 글은 거창한 역사 기록도 아니고 흥미진진한 소설은 더더군다나 아닌, 그저 내 아버지의 이야기에 불과하다. 그러나 동시에 세상 모든 우리네 아버지들의 이야기이 기도 하다. 그동안 미디어를 통해 접했던 광주 5.18이 크고 넓은 강의 본류라면, 이 이야기는 본류 주변에 형성되어 흐르고 있는 자잘한 지류라고 할 수 있다. 사소하고 평범한 소시민의 일상이 어떻게 역사로 편입되는지 이야기 하고 싶었다.”
Even without sharing their faith, I could feel the care and emotional investment behind this effort. The event ended with a performance by Kim Hyeon-seong, who played several songs including Letter from a Private, which he composed and was recorded by Kim Kwang-seok.
November 26, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Even without sharing their faith, I could feel the care and emotional investment behind this effort. The event ended with a performance by Kim Hyeon-seong, who played several songs including Letter from a Private, which he composed and was recorded by Kim Kwang-seok.
Jeon was the first artist imprisoned for violating the National Security Law, along with Lee Sang-ho, for creating subversive material, and I was surprised to learn he is also an ordained deacon. Hong was also a prisoner of conscience under the NSL.
November 26, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Jeon was the first artist imprisoned for violating the National Security Law, along with Lee Sang-ho, for creating subversive material, and I was surprised to learn he is also an ordained deacon. Hong was also a prisoner of conscience under the NSL.
Went this evening to a launch of Im Ui-jn's "Book of Mark in the Jeonnam Dialect," mostly out of curiosity. I had no familiarity with the text itself, but I wanted to hear the story behind the translation and see the woodcuts Jeon Jeong-ho and Hong Seong-dam produced for it.
November 26, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Went this evening to a launch of Im Ui-jn's "Book of Mark in the Jeonnam Dialect," mostly out of curiosity. I had no familiarity with the text itself, but I wanted to hear the story behind the translation and see the woodcuts Jeon Jeong-ho and Hong Seong-dam produced for it.
Perusing old books about Korea written by Westerners at a friend's store in Seoul.
November 25, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Perusing old books about Korea written by Westerners at a friend's store in Seoul.
It is one of only five Minjung-style murals I know of in the country, and it was produced in 1988 by 전북지역 청년미술 고동체 near the site of the death of Lee Se-jong, who has been recognized by the May 18th Truth Commission as the first casualty of the 1980 Uprising.
November 22, 2025 at 5:59 AM
It is one of only five Minjung-style murals I know of in the country, and it was produced in 1988 by 전북지역 청년미술 고동체 near the site of the death of Lee Se-jong, who has been recognized by the May 18th Truth Commission as the first casualty of the 1980 Uprising.
Stopped at Jeonbuk National University to look for the large mural of General Jeon Bong-jun, who led the Donghak Peasant Revolution, holding up a world of democracy, independence, and unification on his shoulders.
November 22, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Stopped at Jeonbuk National University to look for the large mural of General Jeon Bong-jun, who led the Donghak Peasant Revolution, holding up a world of democracy, independence, and unification on his shoulders.