Digitally Re-animating the Renaissance

This presentation explores the potential of 3D modeling and virtual reality (VR) technologies to reimagine Renaissance spaces. Through a case study of Giulio Romano's Sala dei Giganti, I'll demonstrate how photogrammetry and LiDAR scanning can be employed to create highly accurate digital models, enabling unprecedented analysis and experimentation.

Our work at ZeuxisVR: Immersive Art History, a digital initiative at Lafayette College, focuses on leveraging immersive technologies to document cultural heritage sites and enhance the teaching of Renaissance art and architecture. By constructing immersive VR environments, we transport viewers back in time, fostering an understanding of these spaces in their original context.

This presentation will address the pedagogical implications of VR and explore how the reconstruction and rehabilitation of digital sites influence our perception and interpretation of the past. A comparative analysis of the virtual Sala dei Giganti with Giorgio Vasari's account will demonstrate the transformative power of VR in deepening our comprehension of Renaissance art and architecture.