This event has ended
On Thursday 4 November 1999 a press interview took place at the Cultural Centre "Hellenic Cosmos" for the presentation of the "Kivotos" to the representatives of the media. The system was presented through speeches and slide projections by Mr. Dimitris Efraimoglou, Head of the Interactive Applications and Systems Department, Mr. Vangelis Christodoulou, Head of the 3D Graphics Department and Mrs. Maria Roussou, Head of the Virtual Reality Department.
Mr. Efraimoglou pointed out at first that with the new "Kivotos" the Foundation of the Hellenic World continues its pioneering work in the field of virtual reality which started with the installation of "Magical Screen" at "Hellenic Cosmos" in April 1999. Then, he enumerated the reasons that led to the name "Kivotos". This word, which in ancient Greek means "wooden box", refers to both ancient Greek and Biblical mythology regarding the Flood and symbolises the attempt to preserve civilisation through technology. Mr. Christodoulou then analysed the procedure by which the 3D models were reconstructed, models that formed the basis for the creation of the virtual environment.
Mrs. Roussou concluded the presentation of the "Kivotos", by making a retrospection in the birth and development of the CAVE technology, upon whose model the "Kivotos" has been designed. Specifically, she pointed out that while its use is widespread in the fields of heavy industry and research, the Foundation is the only institution in the world which uses it for cultural reasons, showing tours in areas of our cultural heritage. Finally, Mrs. Roussou referred to the way the system operates and she focused on the programme hosted by "Kivotos", the journey to ancient Miletus.
