»travellog«

The direct examination of works of art and architecture on site reflects a fundamental practice in the History of Art and Architecture since its very beginnings. To the prospective architects, the mandatory ‹Seminarwoche›, covering different topics and being held at different places every new term, offers a unique chance for immediate confrontation with the subject of their studies within the curriculum of the D-ARCH. The ‹Seminarwoche› reflects the backbone of teaching for the Chair for the History of Art and Architecture of Prof. Dr. Philip Ursprung. Unlike courses and seminars, the visibility of the ‹Seminarwoche› to the students is very limited due to a restricted access and frequently changing topics. A comparative view across semesters is currently quite challenging. The »travellog« project breaks new ground by providing enhanced possibilities for the documentation and visibility of these study trips. By opening the possibility of comparative analyses of current issues in different places of the world, the students might gain deepened insight into the social, economic and political conditions of architectural production. The »travelog« project provides sustainable online documentation of the students contributions (text, photo, audio and video) as well as enhanced visibility of teaching at the D-ARCH to other academic institutions across Europe, via the network-based digital image database »digitale diathek«.

• The selection of photographs and publication on the website encourages the exploration of what is seen and learned
• The website is also an archive that grows and gains in quality and relevance over time
• Finding a title for the selection: Focusing on a topic or method intensifies the travel experience and the memory
• The material collected during the seminar weeks is stored online for the first time and entered into a database, making it accessible to other students or teachers

• The flat hierarchies promote exchange: the comparison of equally represented images can bring their individual value to light and stimulate discussion. The personal perspective and focus of the photographer is made visible.

• The online input mask should be simplified and made more user-friendly (more like Instagram)
• The «travellog» should be extended to the DARCH, since the «travellog» lives on the abundance of travel and teaching contents made by the various professors.

• Photography is a good communicatora and encourages spontaneous conversation
• The selection of the pictures, the formulation of the cover letter containing the pictures information and the saving process is considered time-consuming work (database work)
• Publishing one’s own work is perceived as an incentive, especially among students are passionate about photography

• Seeking conversation with the students before, during and after the trip boosts motivation
• Consider the compilation of the travel group: a range of travel participants (artists, architects, journalist, historians, scientists, etc. …) can encourage the students to look for their own access to the subject. (Beyond right or wrong, good or bad)

• Digitale Diathek