Immersive Media Program Brings the Past to the Present
This past semester, students in the Immersive Media program worked in conjunction with the Chatham Archives to bring history to life through virtual reality. As a part of the program’s Serious Play course, taught by Assistant Professor of Immersive Media, Joseph Amodei, students’ projects varied from putting the user into historic photographs to projecting holographic-like artifacts for users to examine. Students collaborated with Chatham Archivist, Molly Tighe to create experiences that help make the archives more accessible. We spoke to three students from the course, Christopher Brinkley, Michael Douglas, and Alexander Musick to learn more about their projects and what inspired them.
Chris Brinkley, a student in the Serious Play course poses with his project which placed viewers into historical photos from the Chatham Archives.
Christopher Brinkley
Project: SnaPast Interactive Exhibit, places users into photos from Chatham’s past
Can you walk us through the thought process behind developing your specific 'Play in the Archives' experience?
CB: I was going through the archive’s postcard selection, thinking I might find some inspiration. As I was going through the pics, I started to think that a cool “Hey I made it!” postcard to family members of Freshmen would be some of these weird photos in the other archive. It was when I was doing some photoshop edits for a friend by putting them in another photo that I came up with the idea of having the students BE IN the photo themselves. That way they create a one-of-a-kind photo they can send to their family back home to show how unique Chatham is.
What are the key experiences or emotions that you'd like those who interact with your project to take away?
CB: Mainly curiosity in the history of Chatham University. I decided to use photos that were either unorthodox or had historical significance to have the students explore the history of the campus. Like for example, one of the pictures has the Canoe club in the Mellon Board Room Swimming Pool. I personally never knew we had a canoe club, let alone one that practiced in the old swimming pool area.
What are you aspiring to do with your immersive media degree?
CB: I’ve always wanted to become a game designer, specifically a level designer. I’m a transfer from CCAC from their Game Design program and found that Chatham’s VR program was one of the best ways to go since VR/AR is a budding industry. I wanted to do VR world building because I have seen first hand what the power of VR can do for disabled and terminally ill individuals that can’t go out and see the world.
A word on why this work is important to the Chatham Archives from Archivist, Molly Tighe:
“Because of the rarity and fragility of some artifacts in archival collections, archivists aim to balance patrons’ need to access materials with the need to preserve items for future generations. Access to collections, though a primary goal of archivists, brings preservation risks like torn pages, sun damage, and theft. Digitization allows patrons to access collections, like student newspapers or reel-to-reel recordings of Chatham Choir, without incurring the material risk that comes with handling an original.
Presentations like Chris Brinkley’s allow patrons to embed themselves into moments from Chatham’s past. As patrons mimic the gestures of May Day performers or the stance of President Taft on the steps of Mellon, notions that archival collections are hidden—an unfortunate result of preservation policies that differentiate archival collections from circulating materials in the library—fall away. Images of patrons interacting with historical photos will become part of the collections in the University Archives, a project element that emphasizes the focus on student voices in documenting Chatham history.”
Chatham Librarian, Jocelyn Codner engages with the Immersive Media exhibits. Photo c/o Molly Tighe.
Chatham Archivist, Molly Tighe and Assistant Professor of Immersive Media, Joseph Amodei pose with an Immersive Media exhibit. Photo c/o Molly Tighe.
Michael Douglas, Immersive Media ‘23
(he/him)
Michael Douglas
Project: Berry AR, projects the Berry building of the past onto the current Berry Hall building
Can you walk us through the thought process behind developing your specific 'Play in the Archives' experience?
MD: I had an immediate fascination with old Berry Hall from when the college was still in its infancy and ran with it. I wanted people to be brought back to a time where it was one of the only buildings on campus and the most lavish building on campus. While my project is currently down, it is being worked on to upload to the Google Play Store soon!
What are the key experiences or emotions that you'd like those who interact with your project to take away?
MD: The key emotion I hope people take away from my experience is one of wonder and faux nostalgia seeing a building from the past brought to now.
What are you aspiring to do with your immersive media degree?
MD: I plan to either create out of this world experiences or create the new age of technology with my degree.
Alexander Musick
Project: Photogrammetry scans of the Rea Coffeehouse
Can you walk us through the thought process behind developing your specific 'Play in the Archives' experience?
I wanted to be able to add something unique about Chatham's history to the archive, and I'm fascinated by the subculture that existed at Rea Coffeehouse that has been immortalized on the walls. I wanted the viewer to be immersed in the space and in the graffiti with photo scans of the environment.
What are the key experiences or emotions that you'd like those who interact with your project to take away?
I want to get people interested in interacting with and preserving such a unique space on campus.
What are you aspiring to do with your immersive media degree?
I'd like to do some sort of digital design work, and continue to explore the future of immersive technology.
Rea Coffeehouse, the subject of Alexander’s project
The projects are currently on display at the Jennie King Mellon Library and are open to Chatham community member use. Many of the above photos are courtesy of the Chatham University Archives and Special Collections, curated by Archivist, Molly Tighe. Special thanks to Chris, Michael, Alexander, and Molly for sharing their work with us.