Technology and Animation in Greece and Rome: New Perspectives on Movement, Mechanics, and Perception of Liveness

Join us for a discussion inspired by the 2024 volume Technological Animation in Classical Antiquity, edited by Tatiana Bur, Dr. Maria Gerolemou, and Isabel Ruffell, and published by Oxford University Press.

The volume explores how thinkers and artisans in Greece and Rome conceptualized and represented animated technology, self-moving objects, and mechanical wonders,
and how these were perceived by audiences, users, and society at large. The event will feature a guest lecture by Prof. Ruth Bielfeldt (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München), who will expand on the volume’s themes with her talk:

Techné and Animation: New Thoughts on the Colossus of Rhodes

Date: April 3, 2025

Time: 5.30 PM

Location: Seminar Room, Gilman Hall 108, Johns Hopkins University

Program

• Welcome & Introduction to the event– Dr. Maria Gerolemou (Johns
  Hopkins University)
• Remarks on the Volume – Dr. Tatiana Bur (University of Canberra, online
  participation)
• Guest Lecture – Prof. Ruth Bielfeldt (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
  München)
• Response & Reflections– Prof. Isabel Ruffell (University of Glasgow,
  online participation)
• Discussion & Q&A
• Wine Reception

This event is co-organized by the Classics Department, Dr. Maria Gerolemou, and the History of Art Department, Dr. Jennifer Stager, at Johns Hopkins University, with the generous support of the Singleton Centre and the Alexander Grass Humanities Institute (AGHI). We look forward to an engaging conversation on technological animation in Greece and Rome and its broader implications!