VIRTUAL. Special Studies Art History: The Castello di Poppi

Course Description:

The first part of the course will provide a thorough knowledge of the history, art and architecture of this important medieval castle, whose origins date back to the 12th century. It is at this castle that the Battle of Campaldino took place in 1289. The course will explore the figures of the architects Lapo and Arnolfo di Cambio, the painter Taddeo Gaddi, the Guidi family (owners of the castle), and the poet Dante Alighieri who stayed at the castle during his exile from Florence.7

The second part of the course will explore different approaches to story telling in the visual arts. Students will examine new ways of approaching visual story telling within a Museum setting. The students in collaboration with the Poppi Castle and under the tutelage of professor Tiziana Landra, will develop individually and/or as a group a series of podcasts for use by the Poppi Castle. In addition, guest lecturers will be invited to present to students on a variety of subjects related to communications in the arts and in Museum studies including Museum Directors, Art writers, and Professionals.

Local hosts:

Poppi Castle, Castello di Poppi located in the Casentino area in Tuscany

The Project:

PODCASTS FOR THE POPPI CASTLE

For this course students will work on a project for the Poppi Castle located in the Casentino Area of Tuscany. After a through study of the history of the castle, students will work with the Castles staff to create a series of Pod-casts that will be made available to visitors of the castle.

Students will consider how history and art intersects with story- telling in the creation of audio recordings for both visual and non-visual visitors. International guest speakers will be invited collaborate with students on a variety of topics including writing about art, creation of audio recordings and museum studies.

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