Building bridges rather than walls – Information Centre – Research & Innovation

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Researchers in the EU-funded CROSSCULT job created software apps that allow for readers to far better recognize Europes shared record at popular exhibitions and archaeological web pages throughout the European Union.

According to job communications coordinator Luc Vandenabeele of the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, CROSSCULT had two primary targets. The initially was to digitally enhance customer encounters during excursions of EU historic exhibitions, this sort of as the Montegrotto Terme archaeological web-site in the vicinity of Padua, Italy. The second was to produce activities that would endorse the two a far better comprehension of European record and enhance how readers practical experience the activities. We aimed to boost historic awareness by connecting unique venues and viewpoints, and by showing the connections involving historic phenomena in unique eras, he says.

Sharing by connecting

CROSSCULTs initially motion was to create an on the web platform for making Android apps distinct to exhibitions and their pilot tasks. The application for the National Gallery in London, for case in point, provides museum maps, allows readers to like certain museum works, and implies other works that the user could like based mostly upon prior input. These cell apps, readily available via Google Play, allow for company to tailor their digital encounters to their own preferences.

A further CrossCult-formulated Android application, Cultural Connections, draws parallels involving historical and fashionable moments. For case in point, the application informs consumers that areas of Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece were being united for above 400 decades during the Roman Empire, and details out that below the European Union, they have only been united considering the fact that 1986. The application then asks the user to react by sharing his or her views.

When developing the pilot tasks associated with the apps, researchers commenced with the core theory that record has no complete truths, but alternatively several interpretations and contrasting viewpoints that inspire individual reflection.
The initially pilot job was an artwork exhibition at Londons National Gallery held on twenty five-29 June 2018. The pilots application helps readers navigate the Gallerys works and poses thoughts meant to inspire the contemplation of their cultural and historic importance.

The second job formulated an additional application that explored the therapeutic use of h2o in antiquity. The application allowed consumers to digitally examine historical spas in the vicinity of Lugo, in Spain Chaves, in Portugal Montegrotto, in Italy and the Epidaurus archaeological web-site in Greece.

A more compact location was the aim of the 3rd pilot: the Tripolis Archaeological Museum in Greece. Visitors went past the typical stage of historic presentation, this sort of as the type of a statue or its building day, Vandenabeele says. Instead, they went into deeper stages of reflection, this sort of as above the social elements of lifestyle in antiquity.

The fourth and remaining pilot allowed consumers to investigate the cultural heritage of the towns of Valetta in Malta and Luxembourg Metropolis and Belval in Luxembourg. The application for this pilot, entitled CrossCult: Cities, utilised on the web maps to guide readers on going for walks excursions and pointed out web pages of cultural and historic importance.

Far better historic appreciation

The remaining benefits from CROSSCULT, which finished in late February 2019, involve financial positive aspects for taking part municipalities. Researchers formulated software and apps that educators, vacationer operators, and area governments can use to enhance their solutions. In addition, the software platform continues to be readily available as a toolkit that cultural heritage professionals can use to create their own customised apps.

CROSSCULT was an awesome journey, Vandenabeele says. It enabled the humanities and know-how to join forces to aid reflections on record and an comprehension of our typical European previous.