FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLD

1. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLD Georgios Giannoulis Head of Coordination of FHW EU Project: Discovery Days 18th Ecsite Annual Conference 31st of May to 2nd of June Lisbon

2. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLD FHW has been established in 1993, by law voted unanimously by the Greek Parliament and it is supervised by the Ministry of Economy Mission: the study, preservation, presentation and promotion of the Hellenic Culture in its broad geographical evolution, through the use of new IC technologies.

3. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLD SUMMARY Foundation of the Hellenic World, a non � for- profit organization, has developed an advanced know-how on the use of Virtual Reality technologies in the field of Culture and Education, since 1998. Since this date various projects have been implemented using state-of-the-art technologies, all of them open to the wide public, targeting specifically the educational community. On December 2006 has been inaugurated a new unique infrastructure: THOLOS, a virtual reality, dome-shaped theater, of 130 seats, where visitors are immersed in the environment, and can travel and interact with the environment in real time. On January March 2007, has been also completed the virtual reconstruction of the Ancient Agora of Athens, during its historical evolution, from the beginning, through the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman period, a site of universal significance, as the birth place of democracy and basic modern values. The Ancient Agora of Athens is presented to the public in THOLOS, through various interactive and educational scenarios. Objectives, methods, and educational, cultural value and perspectives of both projects will be presented.

4. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLD Research and Development High level stuff composed by 130 archeologists, historians, architects, designers , graphic s?ed?ast??, media producers 3D designers, programmers, VR experts working on: Databases of cultural information Internet productions Video productions Publishing Multimedia productions 3D reconstructions Genealogies project Historical geography using GIS Virtual Reality �Hellenic Cosmos� Cultural Center Multimedia exhibitions Internet caf� Theatre Multimedia kiosks Publications & video production Virtual reality

5. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDThe General Method of Production Planning Research and collection of cultural data Analysis of the structure of the information Planning, and development of the IT systems Development and adaptation of the cultural content Evaluation, training of the users and promotion Scientific research validates the accuracy of the information Analysis defines the adaptation needs of the collected information and the needs for new information development The systems supporting the development and mainly the distribution of content are planned and acquired or developed The information is adapted and modularized following the specs of the technical infrastructure The overall work is evaluated and validated by scientists and the end users

6.   FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLD General principles for the development and presentation of cultural digital content The non-for-profit character of the cultural infrastructure content development, assure on the same time the sustainability of the produced work, through the collaboration with the wider public and private economic environment, in order to create feedback flows directed to the operation, extension and maintenance of the the produced content. The development of the complementarily and the planning of coordinated actions with other public and private institutions, leads to the maximum impact of the FHW cultural actions and provides a high multiplier effect.

7. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLD General principles for the development of cultural digital content The user training and documentation provision. The development of collaboration and know-how exchange networks in the wider area concerned The assurance of the update, maintenance, operation and sustainability of the products.

8. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

9. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS HISTORY Ancestors of THOLOS are the systems of Virtual Reality, ��Magic Screen�� and ��Kivotos��, operating in FHW since 1996. they have been the first systems of virtual reality internationally used for cultural goals open to the wide public. The project Tholos was designed from FHW depended to the know-how which developed according to these systems, with the precious help of the organization ACUITY and the architectures Tsiomis, Andreadis and Efraimoglou, N.

10. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS VIRTUAL REALITY The distinctiveness of the technology of Virtual Reality is the capability of high and intimate interactivity with the virtual environment which creates the feeling of immersion Virtual reality is based on the possibility of interaction with the environment in real time. An entire world is reconstituted and the visitor can move without limitations in this world. In order to achieve that the projected image should be produced in real time, following the desired path and location in the virtual space, using large (and very expensive to develop) datasets that are representing the virtual world.

11. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS Auditorium

12. The project has been funded by national and European funds, with an overall budget of 12 Meuros euros, while the design and the technical supervision has been funded by national funds of and FHW own resources up to 3 M Euros. FHW through Projects coordination department, in close coordination with other technological departments has designed and supervised the project. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

13. The bulding is a unique architectural structure made by glass, concrete and metal Total surface Main operational areas: 1.333 m2 Technical areas: 426 m2 Support areas : 722 m2 Circulation areas: 675 m2 Parking area: 1.862 m2 132 seats in the main auditorium FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

14. Virtual reality technology is providing the possibility of high and complete interaction with the virual environment and full immersion to that environment. Through 3d Graphics, a Virtual world is created. This world can be visited in real time,a s it is projected in VR theater based on supercomputer systems, projection systems and control systems of high performance. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLD THOLOS

15. drawings FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

16. Projection area

17. Ancestors of Dome are the VR systems Magic Screen and Kivotos, operating in FHW for the wide public since 1996. They have beem the first Virtual Reality systems world wide used for cultural purposes and targeting the wide public . FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

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19. preshow area FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

20. Projection area The projection room is a 23 degree tilted theater, of 130 seats, where the virtual collections are projected It is adequate for research work concerning advanced interaction tools of human � VR environment Able to receive real actors or performers acting in the same time with the VR projection and be integrated in the VR environment, providing infinite possibilities of educational senarios FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

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25. Central real time clustering computer and other computer systems The heart of Tholos, is the powerful clustering system, build by 24 computers, able to project through 12 channels, in mono or full stereo projection FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

27. Central real time clustering computer and other computer systems Tholos includes also a clustering system for the production of high definition pre-renderesd content ? T???S, and a motion capture system , able to integrate real time performers in the virtual environment, through avatars. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

28. Projection systems 12 projectors, able to operate in 2 groups or 6 or in 12 pipe simultaneous projection, are mixing in real time the image in the screen. First innovative application is the possibility of fulll stereoscopic projection in the entire surface of the dome screen, creating a full immersion feeling. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

29. Projection systems FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

30. Control and sound systems All instruments and tools of the dome are controlled in real time Sound 7.1. is integrated for music and sound effects FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

31. Interaction systems Fundamental innovation of Tholos is the possibility supported by the infrastructure to provide personalized and group interaction, following the different educational scenarios. Interaction is enhanced through the interaction devices integrated in the seats Interaction can be enhanced also with real performers in the VR environment. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

32. Interaction systems FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

33. Fully accessible throu ramps and elevators induction loop More than the seats provided by law for disabled people, providing all the interaction features FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDTHOLOS

34. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLD THOLOS

35. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDThe Ancient agora of Athens Digital Virtual Reality Collection, �The Ancient Agora of Athens� (2004�2007), in the framework of the �Information Society� Operational Programme. This project aimed to develop and document an original digital collection of the buildings in the ancient Agora of Athens, to be used for educational activities in virtual reality environments. Overall cost of the project 2 M euros, covered by EU and National funding (550 K euros and FHW own funds)

36. The project includes The development of the digital VR representation of the Ancient Agora of Athens for Virtual Environment Systems (archeological research, visualization, integration, presentation) in the antiquity in the different periods (from the first stages till the roman period. Research and development of interactive scenarios for the presentation and access of the collection by the wider public The presentation fo all material of archeological research, design and development on the internet in 2 languages. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDThe Ancient agora of Athens

37. Analysis, digitization, nd presentation of cultural artifacts and data through visualization and presentation with state-of-the-art technologies Educational use of the new collection and access to information with innovative process for the wide public and the academic community. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDThe Ancient agora of Athens

42. Understanding of a world landmark. Development of a digital collections with high synergies with the real site and the internet site Visualization of Metadata and scientific knowledge Create an educational tool of high attractiveness FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDThe Ancient agora of Athens

44. Development of presentation scenarios for the wider public and for the foreign visitors of Athens, with educational character Development of interactive scenarios and games within the virtual world for young public Use of the VR collection in the academic education within linking it with the curricula of classical archeology and studies on antiquity, architecture and digital cartography

45. 3 scenarios actually developed: Full and free interactive visit in the ancient agora of Athens, guide by a real guide, providing information on the architecture, the area, the life of ancient Athens. Visitors are able to vote and choose visit areas and objectives and even participate in an ostracism. Theater action in the ancient Agora: real performers are appearing in the preshow and main auditorium mixed with projection, either as citizens of different periods of the ancient agora either as contemporary visitors, interacting with the people and the VR environment Athena goddess is flying over the ruins of Agora �

46. Challenges for the educational and cultural organizations raised by the project of the Virtual reality reconstruction of the Ancient Agora of Athens: Reset targets in in order to attract new public and reconnect with the young public Development of new kind of interchange of content and collections producing high added value. Education and culture is to become becoming transferable and accessible to all. Development of new was of creative expression Linking the cultural heritage with modern creativity, performing arts with high educational impact (theatre, music) FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDThe Ancient agora of Athens

47. The perspective : Virtual reality in connection with Internet and possibilities of mobile communication are creating a new environment for education and culture, in a completely new context. The educational system (formal and informal), the system of preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage, and the organizations of modern creativity and arts are gradually interconnected in the new context Integration of interaction and immersion with the interconnection possibilities, is necessary in order to enhance the gradually converging processes of education, creative system and cultural heritage preservation. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDThe Ancient agora of Athens

48. The big challenge Integration of interaction and immersion technologies with the interconnection possibilities offered by Internet and wireless technologies, is necessary in order to enhance the gradually converging processes of education, creative and arts system and cultural heritage preservation. FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLDThe Ancient agora of Athens

49. Georgios Giannoulis Head of Coordination of FHW www.fhw.gr ggg@ime.gr FOUNDATION OF THE HELLENIC WORLD