Nov 25
At UCLA a Virtual Cathedral for Digital Age Pilgrims
Los Angeles — Nov 25, ‘07 — In a computer lab at UCLA, the worlds of cyberspace and Medieval Europe merge.
Paloma Esquivel of LA Times writes a detailed article on Computer re-creation of Santiago de Compostela Cathedral portrays the building as it looked in the 13th century — which took only seven years to construct.
“A large group of computer engineers, scholars, students and other experts at UCLA have built a virtual cathedral — a computer re-creation of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral as the building probably appeared when it was dedicated in northwest Spain in 1211.
Projected onto a screen curving nearly a half-circle, the image looks as if it belongs in the virtual world of a video game. Animated granite bricks rise up to form massive towers and Romanesque arches, and cartoon clouds fill a flawless royal blue sky.
“If we could just proceed toward the altar at ground level and then we’ll fly up later on,” John Dagenais, chairman of the Spanish and Portuguese Department at UCLA said, giving instructions to undergraduate student Meghana Reddy, who was operating the simulation. “Let’s slide on down that column.” He turned to his visitors. “Prepare yourself for a big drop. Boom,” Dagenais said, as the images flew quickly by, creating a roller-coaster sensation.
For centuries, the real cathedral, which is still standing and is said to house the bones of St. James, rivaled Rome and Jerusalem as a destination for Christian pilgrims. In recent years, modern pilgrims have rediscovered Santiago; this year, government representatives said they expect that 200,000 pilgrims will pay homage at the cathedral.
In its virtual realization, the cathedral and parts of the surrounding town are projected onto the curved screen in a specially designed theater; visitors can wear 3-D goggles that create an experience reminiscent of a ride at Disneyland.
“I’m not a Catholic,” he said. “I’m interested in what Medieval people thought, what they believed, how they behaved. For me it’s this amazing human phenomenon that impresses me, that makes me think this is worth understanding.”" More at LATimes. Photo Credits: UCLA