Expanded Interiors

Expanded Interiors explores ancient Roman wall paintings and Roman artefacts through fine art practice at the two UNESCO World Heritage sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

About the research project

Expanded Interiors was an interdisciplinary research project that investigated Roman houses and drew site-specific contemporary fine art practice into a unique dialogue with ancient Roman wall paintings and architectural remains at the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Artist Catrin Huber developed three installations in dialogue with - and for - two Roman houses: the House of the Cryptoporticus, in Pompeii, and the House of the Beautiful Courtyard, in Herculaneum. These installations were on display in situ from May 2018 to January 2019.

Initiated by visual artist Catrin Huber, Expanded Interiors was led by Newcastle University and brought together an experienced team from contemporary art, archaeology and digital technology backgrounds. We were looking at the relevance of Roman wall paintings and Roman artefacts for contemporary fine art practice and how to respond to the histories and complex nature of these archaeological sites within a contemporary context.

Funder: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)

Duration: 8th May 2017 – 31^st December 2019

PI and further team:

• Catrin Huber (PI) - Fine Art, School of Art and Cultures
• Professor Ian Haynes (Co-I) - Archaeology, School of History, Classics and Archaeology
• Rosie Morris (RA) - Fine Art, School of Art and Cultures
• Dr Thea Ravasi (RA) - Archaeology, School of History, Classics and Archaeology
• Alex Turner (RA) - Archaeology, School of History, Classics and Archaeology

Partners:

• Parco Archeologico di Pompei
• Parco Archeologico di Ercolano
• The Herculaneum Conservation Project
• Art Editions North.