Deep Space Weekend: Adventures in Antiquity
Saturday & Sunday, April 14-15, 2018 / Ars Electronica Center
(Linz, April 13, 2018) A lineup of fascinating talks is on tap for visitors to the next Deep Space Weekend entitled “Adventures in Antiquity.” On Saturday, April 14th, we’ll examine traces of ancient history in Upper Austria—for example, important Roman frescoes in Enns, and the finds made by archeological digs in Oberranna and Schlögen. On Sunday, April 15th, the focus shifts to more recent centuries—the painted windows in Linz’s St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Kefermarkter Altar, and high-resolution photographs of a painting by Egon Schiele, an account in which digital x-ray imaging and a knife play important roles.
Program overview:
Visitors to Deep Space 8K on Saturday, April 14th can look forward to fascinating journeys back in time. These presentations will preview some of the featured attractions at this year’s state exhibition, the 2018 Upper Austrian Landesausstellung entitled “The Return of the Legion. Roman Heritage in Upper Austria.”
Roman Bath and Burgus. Archeological research in Schlögen and Oberranna / Talk by Wolfgang Klimesch of Archeonova / 11 AM
Wolfgang Klimesch, director of the Landesausstellung’s two digs in the Upper Danube Valley, presents insights into finds made at a Roman bathhouse in Schlögen, as well as the eventful history of the burgus in Oberranna near Engelhartszell.
The House of Medusa – Roman frescoes in Enns / Talk by Markus Santner of Austria’s Federal Monuments Office / 2 PM
An archeological dig in Enns in 2000 brought to light the most extensive and significant complex of provincial Roman frescoes ever found in Austria. These 3rd-century paintings adorned a vaulted ceiling and the adjacent walls. The elaborate processing of this complex began in 2012. The frescoes will be among the featured attractions at the 2018 Upper Austrian Landesausstellung.
Hallstatt and Traunkirchen – Center and outpost of prehistoric mining activity / Talk by Manfred Schindlbauer and Robert Neuhauser of ARCHEKULT Traunkirchen / 4 PM
Since their discovery in the 19th century, the Hallstatt salt mines and the complex of graves in Hochtal have occupied the attention of experts in prehistory. In recent decades, archeologists have become increasingly interested in the surrounding areas that were involved for more than 3,000 years in the booming salt trade of the Bronze Age, Iron Age and the Roman Era.
On Sunday, April 15th, the focus is on more recent times:
The Kefermarkter Altar / Talk by Michael Zugmann of the Catholic Theological University Linz and Lothar Schultes of Upper Austria’s Landesmuseum / 11 AM
The Kefermarkter Altar is a masterpiece of Gothic woodcarving. This presentation by theologian Michael Zugmann and art historian Lothar Schultes will go into detail. Their talk will be accompanied by images by Linz photographer Florian Voggeneder.
The Painted Windows of Linz’s Cathedral / Talk by Michael Zugmann of the Catholic Theological University Linz and Lothar Schultes of Upper Austria’s Landesmuseum / 1 PM
The artistic, theological and historical—both regional and ecclesiastical—significance of the stained glass windows in Linz’s Mariendom is the subject of this talk. Art historian Lothar Schultes and theologian Michael Zugmann will present and elaborate on a selection of the cathedral’s 70+ windows—Biblical scenes, historical events, locations in Upper Austria, and prominent locals.
Egon Schiele – A closer look at Trude Engel / Talk by art historian/restorer Andreas Strohhammer / 3 PM
Art history garnished with a pinch of mystery awaits the audience at this talk. Andreas Strohhammer will screen gigapixel images of Egon Schiele’s “Portrait of Trude Engel” and offer fascinating insights into the painting’s history, in which a knife, digital x-ray images and puzzling rips around the subject’s forehead play important roles.
Cultural Heritage and Technology / 4 PM
Throughout the world, crews equipped with high-tech equipment are busily producing 3-D laser scans of statues, buildings and entire architectural ensembles. Digitizing these images makes it possible to preserve them for future generation. In Deep Space 8K, visitors can experience virtual reconstructions of historical locations in 3-D.
Photo:
Cultural Heritage and Technology / Fotocredit: Robert Bauernhansl / Printversion
Photo:
Cultural Heritage and Technology / Fotocredit: Robert Bauernhansl / Printversion
