Development of reversible intelligent prosthesis for the conservation of sculptures. A case study

[EN] The application of preventive conservation measures after restoration processes is a sustainable method to control and mitigate possible deterioration and damage to Cultural Heritage. Preservation requires monitoring physical parameters that influence the monument. This document presents the development of a versatile hybrid system based on a 3D printed prosthesis implanted with sensors to collect relevant environmental data. This novel system has been applied to a work of relevance, the Stone Sepulcher of Queen Mary of Castile, located in the Royal Monastery of the Holy Trinity of Valencia (Spain). The development of such an intelligent prosthesis aims to improve the conservation of a work of art. The system presented here is completely reversible, leaving any trace on the sculpture where it was inserted after removal. This intelligent prosthesis can monitor the environmental conditions and send them to a remote server in the cloud. The results have demonstrated the viability and suitability of the procedure and present an innovative solution applicable to other pieces of Cultural Heritage.Niquet, N.; Sánchez López, M.; Mas-Barberà, X. (2020). Development of reversible intelligent prosthesis for the conservation of sculptures. A case study. Journal of Cultural Heritage. 43:227-234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2019.12.0102272344

Three-dimensional scanning as a means of archiving sculptures

Thesis (M. Tech. Design technology) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2011This dissertation outlines a procedural scanning process using the portable ZCorporation ZScanner® 700 and provides an overview of the developments surrounding 3D scanning technologies; specifically their application for archiving Cultural Heritage sites and projects. The procedural scanning process is structured around the identification of 3D data recording variables applicable to the digital archiving of an art museum’s collection of sculptures. The outlining of a procedural 3D scanning environment supports the developing technology of 3D digital archiving in view of artefact preservation and interactive digital accessibility. Presented in this paper are several case studies that record 3D scanning variables such as texture, scale, surface detail, light and data conversion applicable to varied sculptural surfaces and form. Emphasis is placed on the procedural documentation and the anomalies associated with the physical object, equipment used, and the scanning environment. In support of the above, the Cultural Heritage projects that are analyzed prove that 3D portable scanning could provide digital longevity and access to previously inaccessible arenas for a diverse range of digital data archiving infrastructures. The development of 3D data acquisition via scanning, CAD modelling and 2D to 3D data file conversion technologies as well as the aesthetic effect and standards of digital archiving in terms of the artwork – viewer relationship and international practices or criterions of 3D digitizing are analysed. These projects indicate the significant use of optical 3D scanning techniques and their employ on renowned historical artefacts thus emphasizing their importance, safety and effectiveness. The aim with this research is to establish that the innovation and future implications of 3D scanning could be instrumental to future technological advancement in an interdisciplinary capacity to further data capture and processing in various Cultural Heritage diagnostic applications

Guidelines for the Management of Cultural Heritage Using 3D Models for the Insertion of Heterogeneous Data

[ES] La Gestión del Patrimonio Cultural (GPC) es una operación muy compleja cuyo objetivo es preservar la integridad física de los Bienes Culturales y, al mismo tiempo, difundir los valores históricos y permitir el disfrute del Patrimonio. Debido a las múltiples fases que componen la GPC (documentación, intervención, conservación preventiva, uso), el gestor se ve sometido a un gran esfuerzo de coordinación de las interacciones creadas por figuras profesionales muy diferentes, tanto por formación como por necesidades específicas en el ámbito de la gestión. En los últimos años, la aplicación de las tecnologías digitales al Patrimonio Cultural se ha convertido en una parte indispensable de la GPC. Las metodologías más utilizadas para la adquisición de datos, como el escaneo láser terrestre y la fotogrametría digital, también se han convertido en una práctica habitual en las actividades profesionales. Sin embargo, el uso de modelos 3D para la gestión se limita hasta ahora a algunas investigaciones académicas, que a menudo no tienen continuidad tras la finalización del proyecto. Además, hasta la fecha existen pocas normas supranacionales que guíen a las instituciones en el proceso de creación y uso de modelos 3D para la GPC. Por tanto, la falta de herramientas para controlar la calidad de los datos y productos digitales adquiridos afecta negativamente a la interacción entre el sector de la investigación académica, el sector de la gestión y el mundo profesional. La investigación propone el uso de los modelos 3D como una herramienta válida de apoyo en todas las fases de la gestión, ya sea utilizando los datos tridimensionales como base del archivo digital, o explotando todos los productos obtenidos a partir de los datos básicos para las múltiples acciones de cada fase. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de la tesis doctoral es desarrollar directrices para la producción de modelos 3D con el fin de gestionar, introducir y preservar eficazmente los datos. Estas directrices investigan todos los aspectos del proceso que va desde la adquisición de datos, pasando por su catalogación y archivo, hasta su tratamiento y la creación de un sistema de información simplificado para su gestión. Cada directriz guía al usuario a través de una fase específica del tratamiento y el uso de los datos digitales, y proporciona indicaciones adaptadas al nivel de conocimientos respecto a las tecnologías y metodologías digitales. De este modo, el gestor puede utilizar los modelos 3D para su gestión y controlar su calidad y sus estándares mínimos. Se ha optado por un enfoque interdisciplinar e internacional con el fin de elaborar directrices que se adapten al mayor número posible de Bienes Culturales, desarrollando la tesis en el marco de un acuerdo de cotutela entre la Universidad de Bolonia y la Universitat Politècnica de València. Con el fin de obtener unas pautas universales, las metodologías analizadas en el estudio del estado del arte se aplicaron a una serie de casos de estudio. Los principales son los monumentos paleocristianos de Rávena (Italia), pertenecientes a la Lista del Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO, y un panteón neogótico situado en Castellón de la Plana (España). Las experiencias realizadas sobre la GPC en los dos países han contribuido a la elaboración de directrices y normas universales que mejoren las interacciones entre el mundo académico, los gestores y el sector profesional. La investigación, al poner de manifiesto los problemas inherentes a la GPC, ha permitido identificar las principales cuestiones abiertas que se deben explorar en futuras líneas de investigación, como la aplicación de estándares a un gran número de Bienes Culturales para conducir a la puesta a punto de los mismos estándares; la búsqueda de sistemas para la clasificación automática de los datos brutos; el tratamiento de los datos recogidos para la creación de relaciones, estrategias y métodos de clasificación, integración y optimización de datos heterogéneos.[CA] La Gestió del Patrimoni Cultural (GPC) és una operació molt complexa l'objectiu de la qual és preservar la integritat física del els Béns Culturals i, al mateix temps, difondre els valors històrics i permetre el gaudi del Patrimoni. A causa de les múltiples fases que componen la GPC (documentació, intervenció, conservació preventiva, ús) , el gestor es veu sotmés a un gran esforç de coordinació de les interaccions creades per figures professionals molt diferents, tant per formació com per necessitats específiques en l'àmbit de la gestió. En els últims anys, l'aplicació de les tecnologies digitals al Patrimoni Cultural s'ha convertit en una part indispensable de la GPC, des de les fases de documentació fins a les d'intervenció. Les metodologies més utilitzades per a l'adquisició de dades, com l'escaneig làser terrestre i la fotogrametria digital, també s'han convertit en una pràctica habitual en les activitats professionals. No obstant això, l'ús de models 3D per a la gestió es limita fins ara a algunes investigacions i aplicacions acadèmiques, que sovint no tenen continuïtat després de la finalització del projecte. A més, fins a la data hi ha poques normes supranacionals que guien a les institucions en el procés de creació i ús de models 3D. Per tant, la falta de ferramentes per a controlar la qualitat de les dades i productes digitals adquirits afecta negativament la interacció entre el sector de la investigació acadèmica, el sector de la gestió i el món professional. La investigació proposa l'ús dels models 3D com una ferramenta vàlida de suport en totes les fases de la gestió, ja siga utilitzant les dades tridimensionals com a base de l'arxiu digital, o explotant tots els productes obtinguts a partir de les dades bàsiques per a les múltiples accions de cada fase. Per tant, l'objectiu de la tesi doctoral és desenrotllar directrius per a la producció de models 3D a fi de gestionar, introduir i preservar eficaçment les dades. Estes directrius investiguen tots els aspectes del procés que va des de l'adquisició de dades, passant per la seua catalogació i arxiu, fins al seu tractament i la creació d'un sistema d'informació simplificat per a la seua gestió. Cada directriu particular guia l'usuari a través d'una fase específica del tractament i l'ús de les dades digitals, i proporciona indicacions adaptades al nivell de coneixements respecte a les tecnologies i metodologies digitals. D'esta manera, el gestor pot utilitzar els models 3D per a la seua gestió i controlar la seua qualitat i els seus estàndards mínims. S'ha optat per un enfocament interdisciplinari i internacional a fi d'elaborar directrius que s'adapten al nombre més gran possible de tipus de Béns Culturals Cultural, desenrotllat la tesi en el marc d'un acord de cotutela entre la Universitat de Bolonya i la Universitat Politècnica de València. A fi d'obtindre unes pautes universals, les metodologies analitzades en l'estudi de l'estat de l'art es van aplicar a una sèrie de casos d'estudi. Els principals són els monuments paleocristians de Ravenna (Itàlia), pertanyents a la Llista del Patrimoni Mundial de la UNESCO, i una capella neogòtica situada a Castelló de la Plana (Espanya). Les experiències realitzades sobre la GPC en els dos països han contribuït a l'elaboració de directrius i normes universals que milloren les interaccions entre el món acadèmic, els gestors i el sector professional. La investigació, al posar de manifest els problemes inherents a la GPC, permet identificar les principals qüestions obertes que s'han d'explorar en futures línies d'investigació, com l'aplicació d'estàndards a un gran nombre de Béns Culturals per a conduir a la posada al punt dels mateixos estàndards; la busca de sistemes per a la classificació automàtica de les dades brutes; el tractament de les dades arreplegats per a la creació de relacions, estratègies i mètodes de classificació, integració i optimització de dades heterogènies.[EN] The Management of Cultural Heritage (MCH) is a very complex operation aimed at protecting the physical integrity of Cultural Heritage assets, while promoting their historical value and development of tourism industry. Composed by distinct phases (documentation, intervention, monitoring and use), MCH implies a great effort for the project manager to coordinate the interactions among very different professional figures. In recent years, the use of digital technologies has become an essential part of the MCH delicate process, from early documentation to late intervention phases. The most commonly used methodologies for digital data acquisition, such as terrestrial laser scanning and digital photogrammetry, have become common practice in a broad range of professional activities. On the contrary, the use of 3D models for MCH is still limited to few academic research to date, often lacking continuity and wide application after the end of specific projects. Furthermore, very few supra-national standard guidelines regulating their use are available to date. As a consequence, the operator who decides to use a 3D model as a basis for management is faced with the scarcity and fragmentation of standards and guidelines. Moreover, the lack of standard on quality of acquired data and digital products negatively influences the interaction between the academic research sector, the managers and the professional world. The focus is on the use of 3D models as a valid support tool in the MCH process, highlighting their advantages in all the distinct phases of the management. As an example, 3D data can constitute themselves the basis for the digital database, gathering all available information concerning a Cultural Heritage site, exploitable for restoration works or for scientific dissemination. In particular, the aim of this PhD research is to develop guidelines to produce 3D models for MCH, with the purpose to efficiently entry, store and manage digital data. The here provided guidelines investigate every aspect of the process leading from data acquisition to cataloguing and archiving, processing and creation of a simplified information system. Each recommendation guides the user through the management of digital data, by adapting to his/her level of knowledge with respect to digital technologies and methodologies. In this way, the manager can efficiently use 3D models in MCH projects. In order to elaborate guidelines that could be suitable for as many typologies of Cultural Heritage as possible an international approach was chosen, developing the thesis in joint supervision under the University of Bologna and the Universitat Politècnica de València. We decided to apply state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies to a variety of case studies. The main ones are the early Christian monuments of Ravenna (Italy) belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage List, and a small neogothic chapel located in Castellón de la Plana (Spain). The fruitful collaboration between two different countries allowed an invaluable exchange of MCH expertise and, more broadly, contributed to the elaboration of standardized and universally applicable MCH guidelines that will allow a better interaction between managers, the academic research world and the professional one. The investigation, by highlighting the problems inherent to the MCH, made it possible to identify the main open issues that need to be explored in future lines of research, such as the application of standards to a large number of cultural assets in an iterative, continuous and automatic way, in order to perfecting the standards; the search for automatic classification of raw data; the processing of collected data for the creation of relations, strategies and methods for the classification, integration and optimisation of heterogeneous data.Bertacchi, G. (2022). Guidelines for the Management of Cultural Heritage Using 3D Models for the Insertion of Heterogeneous Data [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/182419TESI

Optimising additive manufacturing for fine art sculpture and digital restoration of archaeological artefacts

Additive manufacturing (AM) has shown itself to be beneficial in many application areas, including product design and manufacture, medical models and prosthetics, architectural modelling and artistic endeavours. For some of these applications, coupling AM with reverse engineering (RE) enables the utilisation of data from existing 3D shapes. This thesis describes the application of AM and RE within sculpture manufacture, in order to optimise the process chains for sculpture reproduction and relic conservation and restoration. This area poses particular problems since the original artefacts can often be fragile and inaccessible, and the finishing required on the AM replicas is both complex and varied. Several case studies within both literature and practical projects are presented, which cover essential knowledge of producing large scale sculptures from an original models as well as a wide range of artefact shapes and downstream finishing techniques. The combination of digital technologies and traditional art requires interdisciplinary knowledge across engineering and fine art. Also, definitions and requirements (e.g. ‘accuracy’), can be applied as both engineering and artistic terms when specifications and trade-offs are being considered. The thesis discusses the feasibility for using these technologies across domains, and explores the potential for developing new market opportunities for AM. It presents and analyses a number of case study projects undertaken by the author with a view to developing cost and time models for various processes used. These models have then been used to develop a series of "process maps", which enable users of AM in this area to decide upon the optimum process route to follow, under various circumstances. The maps were validated and user feedback obtained through the execution of two further sculpture manufacturing projects. The thesis finishes with conclusions about the feasibility of the approach, its constraints, the pros and cons of adopting AM in this area and recommendations for future research

Expanding Eco-Visualization: Sculpting Corn Production

This dissertation expands upon the definition of eco-visualization artwork. EV was originally defined in 2006 by Tiffany Holmes as a way to display the real time consumption statistics of key environmental resources for the goal of promoting ecological literacy. I assert that the final forms of EV artworks are not necessarily dependent on technology, and can differ in terms of media used, in that they can be sculptural, video-based, or static two-dimensional forms that communicate interpreted environmental information. There are two main categories of EV: one that is predominantly screen-based and another that employs a variety of modes of representation to visualize environmental information. EVs are political acts, situated in a charged climate of rising awareness, operating within the context of environmentalism and sustainability. I discuss a variety of EV works within the frame of ecopsychology, including EcoArtTech’s Eclipse and Keith Deverell’s Building Run; Andrea Polli’s Cloud Car and Particle Falls; Nathalie Miebach’s series, The Sandy Rides; and Natalie Jeremijenko’s Mussel Choir. The range of EV works provided models for my creative project, Sculpting Corn Production, and a foundation from which I developed a creative methodology. Working to defeat my experience of solastalgia, Sculpting Corn Production is a series of discrete paper sculptures focusing on American industrial corn farming. This EV also functions as a way for me to understand our devastated monoculture landscapes and the politics, economics, and related areas of ecology of our food production

LOW-COST 3D TECHNIQUES FOR REAL SCULPTURAL TWINS IN THE MUSEUM DOMAIN

The contribution presented is part of a broader study of Cultural Heritage valorisation, defining a workflow for creating full-scale copies of statues using non-contact acquisition tools and 3D printing to enable tactile enjoyment. The research presents an experiment using low-cost active and passive tools to acquire a statuary element in the Ostia Antica Park in Rome. The paper describes a testing process of such instruments, evaluating their performance from a metrological point of view. Furthermore, the experimentation verifies the morphological reliability of different copies of the original, obtained sequentially with different production processes and materials, to validate the production process of statuary copy. The scale of the case study is small and suitable for applying different survey approaches and comparing them towards the definition of a possible working protocol for massive low-cost artefacts 3D acquisition

Site, Data, Materials: Artistic approaches to rendering self-tracking data

This practice-led research project examines the role of site specificity in self-tracking data artworks and installations. I argue that the site-specific contexts of materials and devices used in the physicalisation of self-tracking data (whether in art works or data visualisations) are timely objects of inquiry. In contemporary site-specific installation art, the artwork emerges as a response to complex contexts. Similarly, self-tracking data itself is shaped by a relationship to site – for example, the data recording a specific running route through a neighbourhood. This research proposes that site-specific art practice serves as a way of bringing the contextual aspects of self-tracking data physicalisation into explicit focus. As such, I propose the term data installation for describing an approach to rendering self-tracking that brings into relation data, the exhibition site and materials within installation-based artworks. Through the exhibition of self-tracking data in data installations and artworks, my practice-based research analyses the aesthetic choices of data physicalisation, the relation between physical sites and data, and the site-specific and historical aspects of materials. The project asks how specific exhibition sites and institutional contexts shape the production and display of self-tracking data artworks and installations in response to rapidly changing context of contemporary art. Drawing from feminist critiques of the assumed neutrality and objectivity of technology, my practice-based research focusses on the site-specific aspects of materials within artistic data physicalisation. Feminist critiques of technology emphasise the embodied aspects of knowledge production and the historical, social, cultural contexts that shape the use and production of emerging technologies. The central claim of this project, made through a body of nine artworks across five exhibitions and this accompanying thesis, is that site-specific installation practice serves as a way of situating self-tracking data artworks within the contexts of critical data studies and contemporary art. By bringing materials from a specific site into contact with data from the same site, the project demonstrates how data is situated within specific (and contingent) geographic, historical and temporal conditions. This situated approach to the rendering of self-tracking data acknowledges the relation between site and data, foregrounding the specific aesthetic choices and point of view embedded within self-tracking data art, and in the practice of data physicalisation more broadly