Caroline Bruzelius on ‘Animating History’

As an architectural historian, Professor Caroline Bruzelius works with mathematicians, architects and computer scientists to develop virtual models of ancient buildings and artworks so scholars and laymen can better understand the past. In a live "Office Hours" webcast interview Jan. 25, 2013, she explains her approach to animating historical objects. Watch the webcast on this webpage or the Duke YouTube channel. Send in a question for Bruzelius by Tweeting at @DukeOfficeHours or posting on the Duke Office Hours Facebook page."Space is really like an amoeba," Bruzelius said in a talk last year. "Even if it’s made out of brick or stone, it changes all the time. "How can we show process as part of our representation?" she said about dynamic modeling of buildings.One example of Bruzelius' work is a set of 3D digital models of selected areas of Venice that show how the architecture and layout of the city has changed over time. Another example: She and her students created an animation that allows viewers to visualize how medieval sculptures at Duke’s Nasher Museum of Art might have appeared in a church in the Middle Ages."Office Hours" is Duke's live webcast series for the university community, and others, to engage with professors about their research and scholarship.