Satellites, Lasers and drones, oh my! That’s the topic of the next visiting artist lecture at West Virginia University’s School of Art and Design.

Vibeke Olsen, associate professor of art history at University of North Carolina Wilmington, will present a lecture at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 in Bloch Learning and Performance Hall, 200A Creative Arts Center.

In “Satellites, Lasers and Drones, Oh My! Investigating Medieval Methods Using Modern Tools,” Olsen will evaluate how digital technologies, like geographic information systems and laser scanning, can give insight into, and help better understand, medieval labor processes.

Olsen will present an on-going case study on 11th and 12th century building in the Brionnais region of Burgandy, France.

Olsen specializes in French medieval art, with a particular interest in 12th century architectural design and labor practice. In addition to this work, she has published on a wide array of topics ranging from pilgrims and portal sculpture to sensory and performative responses to late medieval devotional images. 

A reception will follow the lecture. The event is free and open to the public.