Center for Virtual/Material Studies

Materiality, computation and visual culture

The Center for Virtual/Material Studies (CVMS) is a university-level research center headquartered in the Department of Art History. It supports innovative research into the materiality of historical objects and explores virtual means of conveying that materiality. Through hands-on workshops, training sessions, field trips, open office hours, lectures, materials collection, and curatorial projects, the CVMS encourages adventurous engagement with cultural materials and nurtures interdisciplinary relationships among the scholars that study them.

Visit the CVMS Website

A gloved hand holding a smartphone to photograph paints being brushed onto paper at the Dye and Pigment Making Workshop

Facilities and contact

The CVMS is located in a collaborative learning space equipped with computers with DAH-specific software, flatbed and slide scanners, a large-screen monitor, and flexible seating.

We invite scholars from the College and beyond to contact the CVMS at the email below to schedule a visit, brainstorm about a possible workshop, or request that we add specific materials to our collection for study. Recent acquisitions have included samples of gold foil, historically important dye stuff, a variety of animal and plant fibers, lithography and etching tools, parchment samples, and examples of mid 19th century photographs. Drop-ins are welcome!

Contact

Center for Virtual/Material Studies
241 Borland Building
University Park, PA 16802
VirtualMaterial@psu.edu

Sarah K. Rich
Associate Professor of Art History

Carolyn Lucarelli
Manager, Center for Virtual/Material Studies

Catherine Adams
Digital Support Specialist, Center for Virtual/Material Studies

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Research and training

The portfolio of research projects and workshops based in the Center for Virtual/Material Studies is expanding rapidly. We will feature ongoing explorations, symposia, and training events in this space.