In the Shadows of Utopia: The Khmer Rouge and the Cambodian Nightmare S1 Ep4: Interview: 'Visualising Angkor' with Tom Chandler
Jul 29, 2018
Tom Chandler, senior lecturer at Monash University, discusses the Visualising Angkor project, which creates a virtual simulation of the ancient Cambodian capital, Angkor. He talks about the challenges of animating people and capturing the subtleties of Khmer culture. The use of virtual reality to enhance our understanding of history and historical sites is explored, along with the value of eyewitness accounts for animators.
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First Trip to Cambodia
- Tom Chandler's initial Cambodia trip in 2001, at age 29, stemmed from a list of contacts his historian father provided.
- His extended stay of six or seven months involved exploring Angkor's temples by motorbike on rough terrain.
Project Genesis
- After returning to Australia, Chandler pursued a master's in animation and 3D visualization, combining it with his interest in archaeology.
- Annual trips to Angkor and meeting Australian archaeologists led to the Virtual Angkor Project's conception.
Project Goals
- The Virtual Angkor Project aims to visualize Angkor as a living city, integrating archaeological and historical data.
- This subjective approach acknowledges technological limitations and the inherent uncertainty in historical reconstruction.