Page 263 - AC/E's Digital Culture Annual Report 2015

AC/E Digital Culture Annual Report 2015263large variety of historical objects from its impres- sive collection (consisting of 137 million objects, no less) have begun to be printed and are furthermore available for download, following registration, from the website125 set up especially for this initiative.Although a few other museums had already experimented with 3D reproductions of a few sculptures, this has been the first institution to devote a site to them and to grant users the possibility of downloading and printing the reproductions. What is more, this programme will make it possible to bring to light 99% of the institution’s works in this particular case compared to the 1% that are on show in the various galleries of the museums that make up the Smithsonian.In this case too there are benefits from using 3D technology to preserve the historical and artistic works in the collection, as researchers can work with the reproductions for their studies and for teaching just as well as with the original pieces, but with no danger of harming any of these objects.Similar work has been carried out at the Metro- politan Museum in New York or rather through a private initiative with its collabora- tion. An art professor, together with artists keen on the 3D technology provided by MakerBot126 – who are specialists in this field – such as their app 123D Catch,127 decided to photograph and then scan in 3D some of the representative works (which can be photographed, as rooms have been set up especially for this purpose, though in others this use is restricted, depend- ing on the works) belonging to the New Yorkmuseum with the idea of users themselves then taking the initiative.Result of 3D printing of MET sculpturesThe idea is not just to access the original works but also to encourage the creativity of visitors and other artists, allowing them to experiment and make mashups of several sculptures (its website features an example of how the sculp- tures of Leda and the Swan and Marsyas have been merged into a sort of new mythological figure in the manner of Ovid’s metamorphoses) that can then be downloaded from a website set up for the purpose.128The Historic Royal Palaces of Britain have followed in its footsteps, making the crown of Henry VIII129 available for free download and 3D printing. It allows teachers and pupils to work in the classroom with affordable reproduc- tions of artistic and historical objects.Another British museum that has made use of 3D technology, in this case as the basis for an exhibition, is the Science Museum in London. This small exhibition entitled 3D: Printing the Future130 features 600 printed objects on indus-3. Technology associated with the actual visit