Engaging visitors of archaeological sites through ‘emotive’ storytelling experiences: a pilot at the Ancient Agora of Athens

The use of interactive storytelling by museums and heritage sites lends to the creation of experiences that support visitors in engaging emotionally with the objects on display. Finding ways to connect to the cultural content is even more important for visitors of archaeological sites due to the often fragmentary nature of the exhibits, which can leave them wondering what was once there and how it relates to them. In this paper, we describe the creation of a prototype mobile storytelling experience that attempts to explore a more emotive kind of storytelling in cultural contexts. The prototype was evaluated in a preliminary study that took place at the archaeological site of the Ancient Agora of Athens. The observations provide insights for the design of future iterations of such emotive storytelling experiences

Time and religion in Hellenistic Athens : an interpretation of the Little Metropolis frieze

PhD ThesisTwo stones that form a part of the spolia on the Little Metropolis church (Aghios Eleutherios) in central Athens consist of a frieze depicting a calendar year. The thesis begins with a Preface that discusses the theoretical approaches used. An Introduction follows which, for reference, presents the 41 images on the frieze using the 1932 interpretation of Ludwig Deubner. After evaluating previous studies in Chapter 1, the thesis then presents an exploration of the cultural aspects of time in ancient Greece (Chapter 2). A new analysis of the frieze, based on ancient astronomy, dates the frieze to the late Hellenistic period (Chapter 3); a broad study of Hellenistic calendars identifies it as Macedonian (Chapter 4), and suggests its original location and sponsor (Chapter 5). The thesis presents an interpretation of the frieze that brings the conclusions of these chapters together, developing an argument that includes the art, religion and philosophy of Athenian society contemporary with the construction of the frieze. Given the date, the Macedonian connection and the link with an educational establishment, the final Chapter 6 presents an interpretation based not on the addition of individual images but on the frieze subject matter as a whole. This chapter shows that understanding the frieze is dependent on a number of aspects of the world of artistic connoisseurship in an elite, educated audience of the late Hellenistic period. Important is an awareness of their intellectual appreciation of the perfection of the cosmos and the links between this comprehension of a rational domain and religion. Coupling their wonder at these two spheres with the custom for enjoying enigmatic pieces of work leads to a conclusion that the frieze attempts to relate religion and astronomy, rather than present a straight-forward calendrical list of events

Towards a Female Topography of the Ancient Greek City: Case Studies from Late Archaic and Early Classical Athens ( c .520–400 BCE)

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/88096/1/j.1468-0424.2011.01658.x.pd

The Great Altar of Pergamon : the monument in its historical and cultural context.

In 2 volumesAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN036264 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Classicism as Foundation in Architecture: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe\u27s Richard King Mellon Hall of Science and Michael Graves\u27s Erickson Alumni Center

The French Cubist painter and writer Amedee Ozenfant suggested that Deep in every revolution, discreetly hidden, resides a classicism which is a form of constant. Twentieth-century Modern and Postmodern architecture are no exceptions to this rule. Basic to both movements is the use of classical reference as a foundation for communication with the viewer. This study shows how classical elements and ideas inform the work of Modern and Postmodern architects. Employing classicism as a framework for the holistic reinterpretation of a set of established values (Modernism), or as quotation that is part of a symbolic cultural language (Postmodernism), the architect is well served by the adoption of this time-honored source at the core of his or her work.;Modern architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Postmodernist Michael Graves serve as representative examples of each of these ways of using classical elements and ideas to ground their work. This study looks at the development of each artist in the context of his artistic movement and details classical influences on his work, focusing ultimately on one building designed by each architect: Mies\u27s Richard King Mellon Hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1962-68); and Graves\u27s Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown, West Virginia (1984-86). While both architects\u27 work is much discussed by historians and critics, this is the first in-depth study of these two buildings through the lens of classicism. Each building is characteristic of its respective architect\u27s use of ancient Greek and Roman ideas

Students Learning Progression through Instrumental Decoding of Mathematical Ideas

The current study aims to focus on mathematical tasks for students’ mathematical literacy and problem solving literacy. Excerpts are presented from dynamic hypothetical learning paths [DHLP]s and students’ learning progression. The excerpts center around activities aimed to develop the students’ geometrical thinking through the development of their ability to solve real-world problems. The students cooperated in class or worked individually to represent the images using their static or dynamic means and tools (e.g. compass and ruler, a computing environment, interactive boards, dynamic geometry software). My further aim was the students to utilize transformation processes for representations by instrumentally decoding their ideas on static and dynamic objects. An important role for the students’ cognitive development was the design of propositions and theorems (e.g the Pythagorean Theorem), through Linking Visual Active Representations (LVAR). Especially for the latter option an essential role has played the dynamic geometry software, Geometer’s Sketchpad. Furthermore, the paper provides examples that contain rich mathematical material; therefore, student’s mathematical modeling through instrumental decoding of mathematical ideas is the means of reinforcing students’ conceptual knowledge

Conservation of classical monuments: a study of anastylosis with case studies from Greece and Turkey

Anastylosis involves the re-assembly of existing, but dispersed, members of a monument and is implemented within a framework for the preservation and presentation of ancient monuments. It was introduced as a concept and practice in the 19th century. Anastylosis is encountered throughout the world, but most often in the Mediterranean region. This research explores the concept of anastylosis in the region, and specifically examines how it as applied to classical monuments in Greece and Turkey. The thesis examines the terminology, philosophy, theoretical principles and technical issues of anastylosis, within the wider context of cultural heritage management. Case studies from Greece and Turkey, and a survey of anastylosis practitioners, are used to identify and investigate relevant issues. In addition, a small visitor survey examines the understanding of anastylosis by the public, the impact for interpretation of monuments, and highlights the role of stakeholders in conservation activities. Problematic areas in decision-making, planning, implementation, and post- implementation are identified, raising concerns over its definition, objectives, theory, driving forces, and technical matters. These are analysed with reference to current and future practise. Building on this analysis, the thesis concludes by establishing guidance for the use of anastylosis this is specifically aimed at Greece and Turkey, but has wider applications, both within the region and at an international scale. The approach recognises the importance of anastylosis as a tool within the wider field of heritage conservation and management and offers a framework for planning, decision making, implementation, and post-implementation. Specific theoretical principles and technical matters are proposed. In advocating a clearer definition of what anastylosis encompasses, and how it can be implemented within the overall framework of theoretical and technical aspects for the care and preservation of the material remains of our past, the research concludes by asserting the importance of anastylosis as an architectural conservation method, with significant interpretative potential, in the management and presentation of archaeological sites

Peak and Valleys (by Architecture) in a Flat (Digital) World

Wissenschaftliches Kolloquium vom 19. bis 22. April 2007 in Weimar an der Bauhaus-Universität zum Thema: ‚Die Realität des Imaginären. Architektur und das digitale Bild