ClimAID VR app “Mills on Mars” first demonstration held during project meeting in Lisbon
Lusófona University hosted the ClimAID project partners meeting, held on 21 and 22 March in Lisbon, Portugal. During these two days, partners had the opportunity to discuss project management and implementation, as well as its promotion, impact and sustainability.
During the partners meeting, the Lusófona team assigned to the ClimAID project demonstrated the WP4 Open Library (Open Resource Platform), in particular the VR application “Mills On Mars”. The partners also discussed the next steps, such as the development of an E-Learning Course (WP5), and the Street Art Campaign (WP6).
Mills on Mars
One of the innovations behind ClimAID lies within the variety of methodologies and activities proposed, such as the development and testing of a 3D environment. Initially, the project team compiled a set of best practices in cultural heritage related to climate change, selecting twenty sites across partner countries, encompassing portable building techniques, windmills, watermills, aqueducts, and drystone terraces for agriculture. These selected cultural heritage sites are showcased on the Open Resource Platform, which features a 3D environment for users to experience these heritage sites in a virtual reality (VR) application. The VR application presents one heritage site from each consortium country within a fictional environment, allowing users to interact and immerse themselves, highlighting iconic windmills and watermills from Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus. Additionally, it includes an e-learning course for cultural organizations to link heritage with climate change.
Drawing inspiration from Miguel de Cervantes' "Don Quixote," the creative concept incorporates elements from the classic narrative, while the aesthetics of the VR app are loosely influenced by Jeronimus Bosch's "The Garden of Earthly Delights." In this interpretation, Mars represents Hell, and planet Earth is depicted as a garden of delights devoid of humans. The introductory animation's soundtrack is inspired by Richard Strauss' "Don Quixote."
ClimAID VR app “Mills on Mars” – Quest mode (Meta Quest 2)
ClimAID VR app “Mills on Mars” – Quest mode (Meta Quest 2)
About ClimAID
ClimAID is an innovative European project that combines cultural heritage, climate change, and urban art activities. The project aims to promote the use of cultural heritage practices as a means of addressing climate change through arts and technologies.
In the face of an ever-evolving climate, societies have historically adapted, and ClimAID seeks to unlock the wealth of insights embedded in cultural heritage, turning the narrative from climate impact to cultural solutions.
Embarking on a transformative journey across Europe, ClimAID employs a unique research methodology to unearth and champion the best cultural heritage practices. These treasures will be shared with the world through a dynamic fusion of digital education and Urban Art. Picture a toolbox of time-tested strategies integrated into an open resource platform, inviting users to immerse themselves in a 3D environment of these impactful practices.
The Climaid project partners are University of Zaragoza (lead partner, Spain), BoaMistura (Spain), Universidade Lusófona (Portugal), Gruppo Archeologico (Italy), Municipality of Ios (Greece) and CentreDot (Cyprus).
Know more about this project.
