Working Groups
The ambitious goals of the SENSES Action are achieved through the collaborative work of four distinct, yet interconnected, Working Groups (WGs). Each WG is dedicated to exploring a specific facet of the multi-sensorial experience within the European court residence, bridging academic research with practical applications in cultural heritage.
WG1: SACRED
This Working Group investigates the profound connection between the court residence and the religious sphere, focusing on the sensory dimensions of sacred spaces and practices. This includes the sensory environments of court chapels, shrines, and other religious settings. The group will analyze how light, sound (music, prayer), smell (incense, flowers), and the material ‘fabric’ of these spaces (relics, art, vestments) were used to evoke spiritual presence, structure ritual, and convey power, examining both formal ceremonies and private devotional life at court.
WG2: DINING
WG2 is dedicated to the study of food, feasting, and the entire spectrum of sensory experiences surrounding dining rituals at the court. The “fabric” of the dining experience encompasses more than just taste; it includes the sounds of music and conversation, the visual spectacle of the table and the server’s procession, the aromas of cooking and spices, and the tactile experience of silverware and textiles. This group will explore how dining spaces were transformed into stages for social and political performance, and how the sensory choreography of a meal communicated status, identity, and power.
WG3: FABRIC
The FABRIC Working Group focuses on the material and spatial environment of the court residence itself. This group explores the architecture, interiors, furnishings, and the surrounding landscape as integral sensory components. Researchers will study the intentional design choices that shaped the court experience: the acoustics of a great hall, the temperature regulation of a chamber, the feel of luxury textiles, and the visual impact of color and light. A key focus will be using digital tools to document and reconstruct these ephemeral material conditions, moving beyond mere visual representation to incorporate other sensory data.
WG4: BODY
This Working Group investigates the embodied experience of living, performing, and moving within the court residence. It addresses the human elements of court life: movement, performance (music, dance, theatre), health, hygiene, and the social “choreography” of interactions. WG4 examines how the physical body was disciplined and presented in a sensory world, looking at clothing, cosmetics, gesture, and the sounds of conversation or ceremony. The group is particularly interested in how the architecture and spatial layouts constrained or facilitated these bodily performances and social exchanges.