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Xplored - picturesque, haunted and unusual places.
Idea of the project was born after obtaining a book 'Antiquarian and Topographical Cabinet, Containing A Series Of Elegant Views Of The Most Interesting Objects Of Curiosity In Great Britain, Accompanied with Letter-Press Descriptions' published by W. Clarke and J. Carpenter in 10 volumes, London, 1805-11. We have focused subsequent research on the most picturesque, haunted and unusual places of south England, trying to revive and sustain their unique atmosphere. Xplored unearthes abandoned way of experiencing ancient myths and medieval legends like XVIII and XIXth century engravers, antiquaries and historians were experiencing them until their romantic passion had become transformed into the academic disciplines of the modern photography, archaeology and history. Castles, hillforts, abbeys, roman ruins, stone circles, long barrows, caves, etc. are being chosen for their aesthetic qualities. All of the photos are retouched and, in most cases, everything on them what was made after XIXth century (or looks like made after XIXth century) is erased. As Charles Baudelaire said on romanticism: '[it] is precisely situated neither in choice of subject nor exact truth, but in a way of feeling.'
Paradoxically - the newest technologies had to be involved during the design and development of the Xplored website to emphasize such 'way of feeling' and bring it to the visitor without a hassle. Every engraving is scanned from the genuine source from our own collection at very high resolution and can be viewed at very high resolution on-line in real-time. Easy to use interface allows to see every object from the air - on satellite image which can be panned or zoomed in/out using the mouse and/or keyboard and switched to road map or hybrid view (road map and satellite image in one). Every image in every gallery (and whole site actually) can be instantly switched to and viewed in sepia, black & white or standard colour mode.
New galleries are added at least bi-monthly. Xplored covers six counties of south England so far but project definitely isn't limited to these counties nor England as we plan adding places from whole British Isles and, in the future, another countries. As a result of recently initiated collaboration with Iceage Design Squadron, we consider including interactive 3d reconstructions and footages as well.
Lucas Bul (Design & Development) Katarzyna Sadzikowska (Photography)
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