03/2008

ZENDOME research

When and with whom did the cupola commence? What is the special connection to the sky? How does it function as a projection space for image and sound?

These and other interesting questions are being posed by a group of European Media Science students at the college in Potsdam: in cooperation with ZENDOME the origin of cupola architecture is part of the seminar program.

Under the supervision of Dr Peter Bexte (Guest Professor for history and theory of technological media) and Prof Winfried Gerling (conception and aesthetics of new media) the team is dealing with a thrilling research object: the cupola as media space. The fascination for the geodesic structures started with a visit at ZENDOME - the development that has taken place since the early days of the Zeiss Plametarium by the Berlin physicist Walther Bauersfeld is the main topic of interest.

The seminar has spent an interesting semester working on the cultural history of the cupola: It was discussed in every structural and material version - ranging from the Roman Pantheon to Baroque Churches and architecture from the French Revolution all the way to the round pavilions at world fairs. And of course the cupola could be viewed within the Synagogue in the centre of Berlin, the Planetarium at Prenzlauer Berg and other prominent cupolas all around Berlin and Brandenburg.

Marked by the beginning of the next semester in April the seminar goes into its second round - we are looking forward to new insights from the world of the semi sphere!

Further information:
European Media Studies FH Potsdam 
Fachhochschule Potsdam 
University Potsdam (only in German language)

History Preview: 
ZENDOME.history