3D Reproductions of Cultural Heritage Artifacts: Evaluation of Significance and Experience

Abstract

3D digitization of cultural heritage has long been used to preserve information about cultural heritage (CH) objects such as architecture, art, and artifacts. 3D dissemination of CH objects through technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and 3D printing have impacted the fields of art history and cultural heritage and have become more common. Yet, studies that go beyond the technical aspects of 3D technology and treat such topics as their significance for restoration, conservation, engagement, education, research, and ethics hardly exist. The aim of this paper is twofold: on the one hand, it aims to get a better understanding of the applicability of each technology for different purposes (education, research, conservation/restoration, and museum presentation), and, on the other hand, it focuses on the perception of these technologies. This research was carried out by combining a literature review with quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data acquired through (1) a questionnaire of eleven questions and (2) a workshop with a group of specialists and non-specialists who were asked to brainstorm about the different uses of the 3D technologies and their applicability to their areas of work and research. Based on the analysis of these quantitative and qualitative data, we provide some criteria for using 3D digitized and printed reproductions to enhance cultural experiences. The results demonstrate the importance of carefully designing 3D interactions in the personal and cultural contexts of end-users and cultural institutions in order to create authentic cultural experiences.

3D Printing and the Art World: Current Developments and Future Perspectives

“…However, there are an increasing number of studies that show a shift in the way authenticity can be granted [5][6][7]. In an increasingly connected world through digitalization and technological advancements, it would be short-sighted to consider authenticity as something singular, static, and based on tangible and physical aspects alone.…”

“…By eliminating the need to make compromises as every material aspect of the artwork can be reproduced, 3D printing is important to the desire to keep in touch with the physical. At the same time, it can fulfill the need for a more multifaceted story of one artwork sustainably and durably [5][6][7][8][9].…”

“…The Case of Saul and David (2015 CE) showed, 3D printing attributed to the reconstruction of the original composition of Rembrandt's Saul & David (1660 CE), a painting that was sawn into pieces in the nineteenth century and later reassembled [21]. This example shows 3D printing's possibility of creating tangible representations of the current and past features of an artwork or artifact without damaging the current physical state of the original object [5]. 2 In this case, Factum Foundation used 3D printing to create a negative with an acrylic gesso.…”

Picture-Perfect – The Perception and Applicability of Facsimiles in Museums

“…Studies focusing on viewer responses of facsimiles that include and compare new technologies such as 3D printing are scarce. Existing studies do not or rarely include reconstructions focused on historical materials (Malik et al, 2021). Paintings are furthermore not included within the analyses, because of their seemingly two-dimensional appearance.…”

“…Following this Western idea about authenticity, reproduction methods cannot be 'authentic'. However, there is an increasing amount of studies that show a shift in the perception of authenticity (Gao and Jones, 2021;Lowe, 2020;Malik et al, 2021). These studies reveal that, in a world which is becoming increasingly connected through digitalization and the rapid development of technology, authenticity should not be considered as something that is solely static, fixed and based on materials alone.…”