Page 260 - AC/E's Digital Culture Annual Report 2015

AC/E Digital Culture Annual Report 2015260gies such as that of the QR codes examined earlier and with augmented reality, as we will see in a few specific examples dealt with in the next paragraph. Indeed, it is proving to be one of the most widely used technologies of which more and increasingly innovative examples have recently emerged.Many people believe that 3D technology will transform how we behave and engage with works of art and objects in heritage collections – i.e. in aspects of development, reproduction and research, as well as in creating new and innova- tive visitor experiences for any cultural organi- sation with collections or content to be offered, both to users and for educational purposes.Indeed, the latest Horizon Report 2014114 on key trends in emerging technologies likely to have an impact on higher education predicts that 3D technology will be one of the most important to take into account, and reckons that it will be widely adopted in education in the next two to three years.One of the most striking examples of the use of this technology to produce replicas of valuable art and heritage objects was put into practicein Egypt, in connection with the tomb of Tutankhamun. The combination of digital photography, scanning and 3D printers made it possible to reproduce with highest precision the murals on the walls of the pharaoh’s funerary chamber with the idea of protecting the original from the erosion caused by the passage of time and tourism (1,000 visitors daily in a space measuring barely 60 square metres).This so-called “facsimile” version reproduces all the cracks and particular features of the walls’surfaces, as well as the colours and details of the murals. The main difference with respect to the original chamber is that the replica adds infor- mation on the place, the holding of events and activities related to the pharaoh, his life and the discovery of the chamber, among other things, and causes no risk of deterioration.Image of the “facsimile” pharaoh’s chamber (Source: Daily Mail)The Spanish company Factum Arte has imple- mented this project. Since 2001 it has developed technologies for cataloguing and preserving historic and artistic heritage all over the world. Based in Madrid and with offices in other major European cities, it has worked with some of the world’s leading museums such as the Prado, the Louvre and the British Museum. Its facsimiles are unique and have a specific purpose, and quality is therefore a priority. For this purpose they develop scanners, software and printing systems specifically for each project.The spectacular result of these projects has been made possible by an interdisciplinary team of more than forty people workingFocus 2015. Museums and New Technologies