Towards an Interactive Virtual Museum Visit: The Implementation of 3D Scanning, Virtual Reality, and Multimedia Technologies in Art Exhibits Conservation and Virtual Demonstrations

Abstract

The permanent collection of the Teloglion Fine Arts Foundation includes important artworks of Modern Greek and European art, constituting it one of the most important in Greece. The Foundation collects, records, and studies cultural heritage, organizes exhibitions in collaboration with other institutions in Greece and internationally, as well as provides the audience with the chance of getting familiar with artwork via tours and educational programs. In this light, the Foundation constitutes an extroverted, open, and -most of all- interactive Museum that combines research, education, art, culture, and science. To that end, the Teloglion Foundation, in close collaboration with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Tessera S.A., are developing innovative ICT applications in the framework of the ARTECH project (“digitAlize aRt and culTural hEritage for personal experienCe via innovative tecHnologies”), so as to highlight and promote its permanent collection to the wide public and specialized groups of visitors. The aim is to enhance the experience and the experiential learning – entertainment of visitors through interactive, modern educational and multimedia methods. One method employed to fulfill this ambitious task is by designing a Virtual Reality (VR) environment based on 3D data of Teloglion premises, captured through state-of-the-art laser scanners as well as a photogrammetry mapping drone. Furthermore, selected artworks are digitalized through a structured light 3D handheld scanner and are hosted in the given VR environment, forming 3D virtual tours where visitors and researchers can zoom, analyze and receive information at certain hot spots. The capabilities and advantages of 3D scanning and 3D printing in the conservation of artworks are also investigated by presenting case studies of digitalized damaged exhibits and restoration procedures in open workshops where participants will have the chance to conserve and synthesize a 3D copy work of art. Finally, experiential education and entertainment are further amplified through multimedia games that challenge and enrich visitors’ knowledge, concerning the artist, the story and the symbolism of the artifacts.