Sources-What is it exploring (assets): Virtual Paul’s Cross Project
Link: vpcp.chass.ncsu.edu
This North Carolina State University site allows the viewer to experience the delivery of John Donne’s sermon which took place on November 5, 1622 in London, England. It is a digital re-creation of John Donne’s Gunpowder Day sermon. It is set up to help the viewer understand and evaluate the look and sounds of the Paul’s Cross Sermon. The research resulted in both pictures and information that was compiled for an experience with a view of Paul’s Cross Sermon and the sounds as they might have unfolded in real time. It was an attempt to recreate the event with both visual and auditory elements. The hope is that the digital experience offers new insights and will result in new information and new interpretations of the event.
Processes-What does it do with each of the sources (services)
This project is the result of using a large number of sources from archaeological and visual records and then integrating the information. Using historically accurate visual depictions of drawings, engravings, and data from existing structures a substantially correct visual model simulation was constructed. They were also able to integrate data about weather, climate and environmental conditions into architectural spaces. This visual model then assisted in the creation of the acoustic model. They were able to model the look and the sound.
Presentations-How is the site set up (display)
The site is set up with options to click on from the home page. These options include the headers of: the overview, the churchyard, the acoustics, the preacher, the occasion, the sermon and support. Each option had several subcategories with Overview containing purpose, framework, outcomes, installation and feedback. The churchyard had the visual model, the construction of the visual model, and a fly around option for the visual model. The acoustics heading had options for the acoustic model, hearing ambient noise, hearing auditability, and exploring auditability. The preacher heading contained information about John Donne including his style. The occasion had information regarding the environment, the weather, the size of the crowd, and the social environment. The sermon allowed for hearing the sermon. The support option contained information about the team that worked on the site, the committee, permissions that were obtained, recognitions, works that were cited and links.
This project can be classified as historical and architectural. I really enjoyed this project and thought that it was very well organized. One thing I didn’t like about the site was when you went to the feature where you could ‘fly around the visual model’ of the courtyard, it took you to youtube, and left the site completely. It would be more convenient if they could download the videos directly to the website.
One of the features of the cite of Virtual Pauls Cross project was the ability to explore a visual model of the location where his sermon was held.