Objectives
The lesson focuses on the art-historical explanation of a masterpiece by sculptor Venanzo Crocetti that is part of the permanent collection of the Contemporary Sculpture Garden at the University of Teramo.The representation of the animal world was always at the center of Crocetti's anatomical interests, a subsidiary on which to observe the variety of volumetric masses. The lioness who on her front paws holds her prey still and stretches her muzzle is a masterpiece of realism in the feline attitude of gliding over her victim, leaving her hind legs raised, in tension, ready for a new shot. In addition to notions concerning the contemporary art history of the area, the symbols of which the sculpture is representative refer to more general concepts concerning animal instinct as opposed to the social attitude of man: the sly attitude of the lioness, with the muzzle that does not uncover its jaws, refers to an unnecessary overpowering, inflicted on a being so much weaker that it never had a chance, sacrificed without the need to engage in a struggle; the beast is not hungry, it seems rather to enjoy the pride of conquest by leaving its prey intact. 3-D digitization allows all the iconographic and volumetric aspects of the work to be grasped, features that the usual display of the artwork inside the museum does not allow.

Digital Tools Utilized

Technical/Digital Skills to be Possessed by the Teachers
The lesson needs a basic knowledge of contemporary art history and 20th-century European art history, as well as a basic knowledge of three-dimensional digitization techniques. The lesson makes use of a computer from which to have access to the three-dimensional digital object and a viewer that allows virtual reality enjoyment.

Description of the Lesson Plan
- Subject: contemporary art history, Italian and European twentieth century history, Museology, Digital techniques applied to musealization;

- Teaching Methodologies: historical and art-historical introduction, explanation of three-dimensional digitization and enjoyment of it;

- Description of a practical activities: virtual reality viewing, enjoyment of the three-dimensional digitized object according to multiple points of view;

- Duration of the lesson: 50’;

- Step by step activities to complete the lesson plan: explanation of the author and the work, historical contextualization, projection of the virtual object, practice test with the virtual reality visor.