Start website main content

  • Istituto TeCIP

ART AND VIRTUAL REALITY: SANT’ANNA SCHOOL PERCRO LAB. PRESENTS 3D IMAGERY OF “LE CARCERI – IMAGINARY PRISONS” AT TURIN EXHIBITION “PIRANESI. LA FABBRICA DELL’UTOPIA”

Publication date: 13.12.2017
Image for img_9608.jpg
Back to Sant'Anna Magazine

The “Piranesi. La fabbrica dell’utopia” virtual exhibition has arrived in Turin at Sale Palatine dei Musei Reali. The exhibition presenting Piranesi’s artworks in 3D virtual environment continues until 11 March 2018. The PERCRO Perceptual Robotics Lab. of Sant’Anna School has contributed to the creation of Le Carceri interactive 3D content, the etchings of imaginary prisons by Venetian architect Giovanni Battista Piranesi.

As part of the “Piranesi. La fabbrica dell’utopia” virtual exhibition redevelopment, the researchers of PERCRO Lab. explored new ways of interpreting our cultural heritage: “3D Data Visualization is a challenging task – said Marcello Carrozzino, a researcher of the Percro Lab. team - This exhibition demanded the application of digital image processing, geometric transformations and sound effects tools to provide an enhanced visual experience and engage museum visitors in audio immersive experiences. The audio immersive “carpet ride” transports visitors to a three-dimensional world where they are able to become part of the Piranesi’s art”.

The 3D video of Piranesi’s etchings including most famous Views of Rome were chosen for the exhibition at the Savoy Gallery museum complex in the historic centre of Turin facing the Porte Palatine. The exhibition was curated by MetaMorfosi association, Giorgio Cini Foundation and received support from Rome City Council.

The Piranesi’s prints were extrapolated into 3-D digital models using contemporary techniques. The exhibition shows an ‘actual antique’ and how the past could inform and shape modernity. Visitors can wear specific VR headset as a medium without limits; they feel wonder and lose themselves in wonderfully detailed Piranesi’s Carceri.