The Perspective Unit collects materials on the history, theory and applications of perspective, projection methods and spatial concepts. It uses electronic media to explore new approaches to knowledge and education. The unit offers two graduate courses and is open to educators, scholars and students at all levels.
Perspective involves time as well as space.
Because it is integrally connected with both the rise of narrative and literacy, perspective offers important insights into the interdependence of western literature and art. Technical applications range from art, mathematics, cartography and astronomy to recent developments in holography, stereoscopy and virtual reality. Metaphorical applications include literature, philosophy, psychology, psychiatry, sociology and anthropology. A basic goal is to use electronic media to gather what is known on perspective in the form of a knowledge package which can serve as a prototype for new approaches to knowledge in other fields. SUMS is being linked to the Internet.