Light Beams to Color Rome Column

Rossella Lorenzi, Discovery News
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"Basically, we will be painting the column with light beams. People will be able to see the monument as it appeared to the ancient Roman world for a few minutes every hour at night. Then the column will return to its present white marble state," Anastasi said.

The project, which is scheduled for 2009, is part of a wider scheme to light up the entire Roman Forum.

"We are going to use a dynamic concept of lighting. Light will be turned on at different times to produce a more readable and evocative view of the entire area," said Corrado Terzi, a professor of industrial design at Rome's La Sapienza University.

To paint the Trajan Column, Anastasi's team will employ computer-controlled light projectors and high-definition films.

"We have tested the technology on a bas-relief copy of the column at the restoration fair in Ferrara. Visitors first thought it was a photograph. As they got closer, they perceived the relief, the shadows, and the unusual paint for the battle scenes.

"Light painted the column like a child would paint his drawings," Anastasi said.


Related Links:

Rossella Lorenzi's blog: Archaeorama

The Roman Forum

Emeror Trajan


 
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