Welcome to Building on Cathedrals, an exhibition that takes you on an immersive journey into the world of cathedral architecture, viewed through the lens of cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI). Born from a collaborative research project between Cardiff University Special Collections and Archives and the University of Wyoming, this exhibition showcases how AI is revolutionising the study and preservation of historical architecture.
By employing innovative tools such as caption detection, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and image recognition, our project transforms newly digitised images of cathedrals into accessible, searchable data. This project and exhibition demonstrates that AI enables us to explore the magnificent cathedrals of England in ways previously unimaginable.
Through interactive displays, this exhibition invites you to discover how these tools are reshaping digital humanities, making vast archives more accessible to both researchers and the public. Witness the power of AI as it enhances the searchability of visual material, improves metadata, and deepens our understanding of architectural history.
This exhibition isn’t just about exploring the past — it’s also a glimpse into the future of digital scholarship. By harnessing AI, we are not only preserving the cultural heritage housed within Lambeth Palace Library but also creating new opportunities to explore, learn, and connect with history.
Funded by The National Endowment for the Humanities [FAIN: HND-284954-22] and the Arts and Humanities Research Council [AH/W005417/1], this research project transforms our understanding of historical architectural imagery. It also promises to enhance accessibility to the Library’s digital content for readers and researchers.
We invite you to join us in this exciting adventure of blending history with technology. As AI continues to evolve, it promises to offer even more sophisticated tools to analyse, study, and experience these majestic cathedrals in all their glory.
Scroll down to explore over 3000 images, delve into this pioneering project, and see how we’re building on cathedrals for future generations.
