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The Unmaking of Markets

Interactive essay putting animation and simulation to work to explore the formation of capitalism in 15th century Tuscany.

Year 2005
Format
Website
Credits by Rebecca Emigh
Design by Erik Loyer
Programming by Stamen Design
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An interactive essay in which animated composites of historical paintings are used along with landholding simulations to investigate the advent of capitalism in 15th century Tuscany.  A collaboration with scholar Rebecca Emigh.

Video Traversal

A high quality recording of the project as a user might experience it.


Animated “composites” like this one use illustration, extracts from historical paintings, and contemporary photographs to recreate the living and working patterns of 15th century Tuscans.
When the user rolls over an element of a composite, it’s original context appears around it--in this case, the historical painting this vintner was lifted from.
Landholding simulations illustrate Emigh’s theories about differences in the ways markets functioned in northern and southern regions.
Annotated copies of historical documents from the period can be browsed for further insight.