(IN)TANGIBLE HERITAGE(S)
Abstract
Throughout the years, cinema has demonstrated remarkable architectural structures, which influenced the history of architecture and film. The majority of contemporary studies deal with Virtual Reality (VR) application in the realm of archaeological reconstruction. However, no VR studies deal specifically with the reconstruction of film sets. Hence, one important architectural theme in this study is the reconstruction in a VR simulation of film sets that have been lost, damaged beyond repair, or no longer physically exist. Expressionist architecture has a limited presence in physical constructions. Expressionist architects tended to create their ideas within other media, such as painting, and the construction of film and theatre sets. As the existence of three-dimensional expressionist elements is scarce, this research argues that expressionist stage sets are important for restoration purposes in an effort to preserve cultural heritage from a filmmaking and an architectural standpoint. The digital techniques applied in this research utilise raw archival material without having any existing three-dimensional environment as a prototype from the film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari by Robert Wiene (1920). A phenomenological approach will be applied for the critical analysis of the VR simulation produced for this research. For Husserl, the notion of kinaesthetic consciousness is key to this embodied, experiencing subjectivity. Having analysed the literature, the archival materials, and additionally practiced recreating the film sets in VR, my analysis of the VR simulation from a first-person perspective will help to understand the benefits that this technology can offer to the evaluation and better understanding of the architectural space in this film. In this study, the first of the arts (architecture) accompanies the seventh art (cinema), to stride along the VR alleys. My presentation will bring such exploration to other scholars allowing them to further evaluate the work and share their trajectories for the arts and technology.
Rafaella Siagkri is an Architect, a PhD candidate and Assistant Lecturer in the Kent School of Architecture and Planning. In 2016, she completed her professional studies in Architecture at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus, and ranked among the top 10 students on her programme. In 2018, she received an MA degree (Dist.) in Architectural Visualisation from the University of Kent. This Master program gave her the opportunity to understand and acquire advanced knowledge in the areas of visualisation and perception of architectural environment. She is awarded a scholarship from the Alumni Department of the University of Kent and a grant from The A. G. Leventis Foundation in Cyprus to study a PhD degree in the UK. Rafaella’s research interests include the virtual restoration of architectural film sets that proved important in the history of architecture and cinema. Her PhD proposes VR as the most effective tool for the success of these purposes. Additionally, she worked as an architect in Cyprus and Greece, and was involved in designing buildings and participating in architectural competitions. Furthermore, she participated in a number of conferences and exhibitions, most notably, and successfully in Biennale of Venice, 14th International Architecture Exhibition/ Fundamentals in Italy.
9:30 am - 11:00 am
Wednesday 15th June, 2022