Latest News
April 29, 2025
April 28, 2025
NEWS /
October 18, 2017
AUS faculty member named President of prestigious International Panorama Council
Seth Thompson, a faculty member from the College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) at American University of Sharjah (AUS), has been named as President of the International Panorama Council (IPC), a non-government and not-for-profit international organization committed to supporting the heritage and preservation of the few existing panoramas dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, and the promotion of knowledge and awareness of the panorama, including its current relevance and development.
IPC, which is located in Switzerland and consists of an international Board, promotes both historical and modern panorama research and fosters worldwide communication about the art form. Since its founding in 1992, annual conferences have been held worldwide offering intense encounters that connect the past, present and future of the panorama phenomenon worldwide. IPC also publishes books, a journal and a newsletter.
Thompson, who is an Associate Professor of Art and Design, began his three-year term as President of the Council in early October. He says:
“I am delighted to have been elected President of such an esteemed organization, which undertakes important work in highlighting the significance of the panorama in media art history and its contribution to the development of modern media. In a sense, the panorama is a 19th century version of virtual reality, but using the technology and tools of its time”
The appointment has been welcomed by the Dean of CAAD, Dr. Varrki Pallathucheril, who says:
“On behalf of AUS, I would like to extend my congratulations to Seth Thompson on this recognition of his standing in that scholarly community. Our institution benefits from faculty engaging with organizations such as the International Panorama Council. I am sure that Seth will be a great asset to the Council in his capacity as President and I look forward to a successful tenure.”
For more information about the IPC, please see: https://panoramacouncil.org/en/
