Culture in Crisis: Evidencing Cultural Destruction in Conflict

Sarah Nankivell (Programme Manager for Forensic Architecture at Goldsmiths, University of London) will be joined by Dr Lisa Mol (Lecturer in Physical Geography, University of the West of England) to discuss their recent projects in relation to this theme.

From assessment of bullet impact on ancient structures to ascertaining accountability for airstrikes in the Middle East; the investigators will explain how such evidence can be put to use to reduce future cultural heritage destruction across the globe

Forensic Architecture is a research agency which includes a team of architects, scholars, filmmakers, designers, lawyers and scientists undertaking research that gathers and presents spatial analysis in legal and political forums. Forensic Architecture provides evidence for international prosecution teams, political organisations, NGOs, and the United Nations in various processes worldwide.

Dr Lisa Mol’s research into the effect of ballistic damage on heritage structures has shown that the complexities of fracture networks and damage to the stone matrix are far further reaching than a visual analysis indicates. Bringing together a combination of conservation science, 3D scanning and visualisation and petrology, the interdisciplinary approach has flagged up the need for a new approach to heritage damage triage post-conflict.

This event is part of the V&A’s Culture in Crisis Series, and programmed in conjunction with Forensic Architecture