"The Waters of Venice: Visualizing the Cistern Network"
Venice International University, June 4-16, 2012
In a world that is rapidly transformed by digital technologies, graduate students (soon to become the next generation of teachers) need to learn how technology can enhance and inform teaching, research and the communication of knowledge. Within the humanistic disciplines, these technologies are particularly well-suited to studies in urbanism, architecture, archaeology and cultural patrimony more generally
The aim of the workshop, jointly promoted by Duke University and Iuav University of Venice, is to provide a thorough introduction to a series of digital tools for the analysis, interpretation and visualization of data related to the shaping of man-made space. The following technologies will be taught: 3D modeling using Google SketchUp, 3D acquisition using Photogrammetry, interactive mapping with Google Earth, Scalar, and the basics of ARCgis related to Google Earth. These 3D modeling, visualization, and mapping technologies enable us to engage with questions of change over time and dynamic process in urban and rural environments, showing how man-made spaces respond to social and economic process and transformation.
Students will obtain skills that will permit them interpret, visualize, and communicate individual or collaborative research projects. We are particularly committed to the concept of communicating knowledge and research through the web and other new types of devices (tablets, iphones).
The workshop in June 2012 will focus on the example of data for the drinking water supply system of Venice, using this documentation to visualize how supply systems inform the structures of urban space.
The city of Venice thus becomes a laboratory for training with technology. Successive summer training workshops will focus on other types of themes (the formation of the Venetian Ghetto, for example).
The workshop requires full-time participation and is intended for students of VIU Member Universities at the Master's or Ph.D. level in Interpretive Humanities (including Cultural Patrimony, History of Art, Architecture and Urbanism, History, Geography, Architecture, Archaeology, and other relevant disciplines).
Tuition of Euro 1,000 per student will support the program. Expenses for travel and housing must be covered by the student or the home institution. We anticipate a maximum of 15-16 participants.