Argive Heraion was Greece's foremost Temple site devoted to the goddess Hera.
Jose Kozan
2:06 PM imtracynotstacy: hello
2:07 PM jose.kozan: Hi Tracy.
imtracynotstacy: Are you ready?
jose.kozan: Yes, we can start. imtracynotstacy: great
So first I'd like to start out by asking you where you are.
2:09 PM jose.kozan: I'm at CERHAS at the University of Cincinnati. Cloudy day and expecting some snow later tonight. imtracynotstacy: What's CERHAS?
2:12 PM jose.kozan:
CERHAS is the Center for the Electronic Reconstruction of Historical
and Archaeological Sites, an interdisciplinary research and media lab
at the University of Cincinnati's DAAP - College of Design,
Architecture, Art, and Planning.
imtracynotstacy: that's a mouthful!
2:13 PM jose.kozan: Yes, it is quite a big name to describe all we do. imtracynotstacy: What's meant by "electronic reconstruction"?
2:16 PM jose.kozan: It refers to the the digital models we develop for historical sites.
imtracynotstacy: why are you reconstructing things digitally?
2:20 PM jose.kozan:
Before the advent of computers the reconstruction of vanished
buildings, sites and artifacts was primarily done by hand drawings. We
still can do that today, but why ignore the almost unlimited
possibilities offered by computer based visualizations? The list of
benefits is not small, covering a multitude of tasks needed in the
process. Most people assume that virtual reconstructions primarily
target public audiences, but in fact it is a tremendous tool for
archaeologists test hypothesis about architectural features, shapes,
and uses among others. What becomes available to the world is the end
result of a complex process of investigation and decision making that
involves multidisciplinary teams such as historians, archaeologists,
architects, engineers, etc. imtracynotstacy: what buildings have you digitally reconstructed to date?
2:32 PM jose.kozan:
When I started working at CERHAS the lab was developing the Earthworks
project -- focusing on the visualization of ancient Indian works on the
Ohio Valley This was in 2003, and since then we worked in the virtual
reconstruction of Ancient Troy, Temple of Zeus, White Shaker Village,
exhibit for the Fernald Preserve Visitor Center, and now we are
developing a reconstruction of a 19th century Kentucky plantation in
Louisville. imtracynotstacy: In general, can you give me some examples of materials you need in order to reconstruct a building digitally?
2:35 PM jose.kozan:
One of the fascinating aspects of the work is the transformation of
varied data sources as texts, photographs, paintings, surveys, into a
product that unifies and correlates these inputs in the format of 3D
model and images. I can assure that the process involves a lot of
discussion, 'what if' situations and a great deal of interpretation by
the modeling team. imtracynotstacy: Can you give me some examples of "what ifs"?
2:42 PM jose.kozan:
I will give you an example on the process so you can understand how it
goes. The digital reconstruction starts far from the lab - sometimes on
the other side of the world with archaeologists and historians working
under hot summer conditions. It initiates with research and data
collection as in site surveys, reading through historical texts and
investigating old drawings, paintings and photographs. Then we proceed
to the analysis for all collected evidence, which will base the 3D
modeling phase, or the reconstruction itself. Here we have a direct
dialogue among all parts involved and the model is adapted to the best
knowledge of the team. We test several possible alternatives -- the what
ifs. The issues under discussion vary from overall shapes, materials,
position, color, and even landscape, always aiming at scientific
precision. imtracynotstacy: I see. So in the case of the Kentucky plantation, what are some "what ifs" you had to consider?
2:51 PM jose.kozan:
A plantation is a very volatile element and as such we do not have much
information on how the different crops were being grown. We are
evaluating what crops to represent and the extent of the lands being
cultivated. Where was the tobacco plantation located? How about its
extension? and so on. In the case of the Shaker project we had several
pictures to draw conclusions from, eliminating a lot of initial
questions. imtracynotstacy: Who ultimately uses these reconstructions?
2:58 PM jose.kozan:
The use of the virtual reconstructions outputs do vary considerably.
You may see them in video documentaries on TV, as part of major film
productions like 'Gladiator', museum exhibits, games, in several
websites presented as images, animations, QTVRs, and more recently with
the actual 3D models for real-time manipulation like the ones available
in the Google 3DWarehouse and Google Earth. It is clear that today
digital reconstructions are deeply embedded in our culture, reaching
from teenagers looking for entertainment to serious researchers seeking
for solid scientific data. What varies in this wide gamma of outputs is
the accuracy and intended use for the digital models. imtracynotstacy:
Do you make your digital reconstructions available to these places for
free? Or do you end up selling it as a product...creating a company
behind it?
3:05 PM jose.kozan:
We are a research lab inside the University of Cincinnati and as such
we are dedicated to sound scholarship as the basis for all we do. Most
of the content we produce is available for free through exhibits in
museums, websites and now in Google Earth. imtracynotstacy:
Are there actions, jobs or other activities in digital reconstruction
that are analogous to reconstructing something in real life? If so, can
you give me one specific example?
3:16 PM jose.kozan:
I practiced architecture for sixteen years before becoming involved
with purely digital buildings. It was a major move from the real to the
virtual, more abstract world. The experience shows that a great deal
of research work needed to implement a real construction on a site is
also necessary for digitally reconstructed structures. As an example,
before I had engineers as consultants for informing how the structure
would behave according to the proposed design. Now I have a similar
group of engineers interpreting archaeological data and providing
suggestions about how the vanished structure could have been assembled. imtracynotstacy: What's the best part of your job?
3:21 PM jose.kozan:
Working with a multidisciplinary group of professionals is always
positive. But certainly what makes working with digital reconstruction
an engaging activity is the transformation of abstract -- and at time
initially unrelated data - into a visible model that you can
manipulate. It is very much like creating a new world with the unique
quality that the buildings and environments represent locations that
one day were present in our planet. People lived and died in places
probably similar to the ones we produce, and while time time travel is
not yet possible this is the best we can to visualize our past.
imtracynotstacy: What are your plans for using this technology in the future?
Anything different from what you're doing now?
3:29 PM jose.kozan:
In recent years a growing number of web based technologies became
available, introducing new concepts, crating alternative methods for
accomplishing tasks, facilitating social interaction and above all
bringing to the forefront of the web scene the end user as active
content producer. In this scenario many digital reconstructions will
migrate to interactive virtual worlds, and here is where I will focus
the next initiatives: producing 3D environments that allow for enhanced
immersing experiences at the same time that educate and provide a rich
learning opportunities. imtracynotstacy: Has anything stood out as a particular surprise during your research in this area?
3:48 PM jose.kozan:
Recently I presented a proposal for using virtual environments to
facilitate the development of an online community focused on a topic of
American History: the Shakers. The reaction I received was positive
because joins the desire to increase public awareness on an existing
historical site with latest visualization technologies.
imtracynotstacy: That sounds great. Well, I've taken up a lot of your time. I should let you get back to your work.
4:05 PM jose.kozan: Thank you for the opportunity. imtracynotstacy: It was my pleasure.
4:06 PM jose.kozan: I did appreciate talking with you.
imtracynotstacy: Thanks, have a nice afternoon.
4:07 PM jose.kozan: All the best.
Tags: 3D Models, American History, Architects, Architecture, Artifacts
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