Heritage Professionals Research Articles

“Saved from Oblivion”? The Uncertain Futures of Holocaust Heritage

The twenty-first century is a time of increased uncertainty over the future of sites associated with the Holocaust. As “sites of memory” and “sites of conscience,” they are part of an ongoing debate as to their contentious place within international heritage conventions (UNESCO 2023). Further, while much attention has been paid to the specific challenges of managing Holocaust heritage in the context of the imminent passing of the last of the Holocaust survivors (Pearce 2020; Gilmore and Magee 2018), and the rise in Holocaust denial and distortion (Bauer 2020), the challenges posed by anthropogenic climate change raise yet more uncertainties. Holocaust heritage—along with other heritage places—faces accelerated decay and destruction brought on by the climate emergency, including extreme weather events. Across Europe, examples include the former camp of Fossoli (Italy), already fragile following an earthquake; the collapse of a wall at the former camp of Sachsenhausen (Germany); and the ongoing ruin of the Dresden Barracks in the former ghetto of Terezin (Czech Republic), after a series of storms. Other sites are threatened by rising sea levels—for example, the mass graves and former cemetery in Alderney in the Channel Islands. However, the usual options in the face of destruction of the historical record, which include either expensive preservation and restoration programs or a form of “curated decay” (DeSilvey 2017), are particularly problematic given the complexities of Holocaust sites because of the specific histories and stakeholders. While preservation and restoration are often beyond the financial reach of most Holocaust sites, “curated decay” raises questions about the retention of historic fabric which, as well as being protected under various forms of heritage legislation, is understood as part of the evidence of genocide. Therefore, the concurrent anxieties over the passing of the survivor generation, the rise of Holocaust denial and distortion, and the challenges of climate change create uncertainties for heritage professionals and site managers as to how to best manage the safeguarding of these unique sites. Using the former camp at Fossoli in Italy and the former ghetto of Terezin as case studies, this paper critically examines ideas of loss and uncertainty within heritage practice to explore the lessons for safeguarding Holocaust heritage in the Anthropocene.

HBIM: A Tool for Enhancing the Diagnosis of Historical Buildings: The Case of St. George’s Memorial Anglican Church, Oshawa

The primary objective of this research is to address the research gap in the conservation of heritage buildings in Canada by integrating Historical Building Information Modeling (HBIM) as a tool. The proposed study aims to develop an enhanced framework for the preservation of historical buildings through the utilization of HBIM and 3D-scanning technology. As a result, the research aims to generate a comprehensive database comprising various families of models while also incorporating strategies for point-cloud clustering data. The significance of this research lies in its potential to contribute to the conservation and restoration process of historical buildings. Currently, there are a lack of standardized approaches and comprehensive databases for accurately documenting and reproducing historical buildings. By integrating HBIM and 3D-scanning technology, this research will enable the creation of highly accurate three-dimensional virtual models, consisting of millions of points, which will serve as a comprehensive dataset for the restoration of heritage buildings. The findings of this research will benefit multiple stakeholders. Preservation architects, conservationists, and heritage professionals will gain a valuable tool for documenting and analyzing historical buildings with a high level of precision. The comprehensive database and framework proposed in this study will facilitate decision-making processes during the restoration and preservation phases, ensuring that the original architectural elements and materials are faithfully reproduced. Additionally, policymakers and governmental organizations involved in heritage conservation can use the outcomes of this research to establish standardized guidelines and regulations for the preservation of historical buildings in Canada. Ultimately, the broader community will benefit from the enhanced preservation efforts, as it will contribute to the cultural and historical identity of the nation, fostering a sense of pride and connection to the past.

Monitoring of Damages to Cultural Heritage across Europe Using Remote Sensing and Earth Observation: Assessment of Scientific and Grey Literature

This research is part of a wider framework of index literature studies that have been conducted in the past few years. Some of these have had a focus on specific remote sensing (RS) technologies, while others have tackled specific threats to cultural heritage and landscapes. By considering both damages to heritage sites and technologies used for documentation and the monitoring of such occurrences, this paper unveils the current trends on a global scale in the study of the threats to heritage caused by both human-induced and natural hazards. Papers published by Europe-based researchers over the last 20 years using RS and Earth Observation (EO) techniques were surveyed alongside recommendations and programmatic documents issued by institutions in charge of heritage protection and management of several countries in Europe. Around 300 documents, including scientific articles (published from 2000 until 2022) and Grey literature (from 2008 and 2022), were analysed. The data collection and analysis were undertaken by a working group that was intentionally composed to bring together diverse perspectives and expertise, i.e., requirements of heritage professionals using RS and EO technologies, knowledge on technologies and their use in the field, and expertise in methodology implementation to support heritage management. The results highlight the type of hazards considered the most and the geographical distribution of the archaeological sites and monuments targeted by these studies; the countries the researchers are affiliated with; the types of RS and specifically satellite-based technologies used (and hence the type of data used); the tendencies of satellite data usage—visual interpretation, image processing, employment of machine learning, and AI; the technologies most applied by public institutions and practitioners; and many others. Recommendations and future trajectories are then outlined to efficiently reframe discrepancies between types of damage that have received the greatest attention in the literature and the most impactful ones in terms of the number of sites damaged.

Professional competence development of heritage guides

ABSTRACT This paper explores the critical issues regarding heritage guides’ professional competence development in Macao – a prominent tourist destination – by analysing the current competence development system. The data is collected through semi-structured interviews with professional heritage guides and trainers who lead the guide training programme in Macao. Additionally, official documents and previous research on related topics are reviewed. The study found that the guides, with experience ranging from 2 to 46 years, enhance their professional competence through both formal and informal processes. Three significant factors that impact their competence development are intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and constraints. Based on the findings, practical approaches are suggested for developing professional competence by taking advantage of the opportunities available in Macao. The study also proposes solutions to address the shortcomings and improve the system.

Tuning and Effectiveness in Heritage Models

Modelling can explore heritage responses to environmental pressures over wide spatial and temporal scales, testing both theory and process. However, compared to other fields, modelling approaches are not yet as common in heritage management. Some heritage models have become well known, though they struggle to have an impact beyond academia, with limited practical applications. Successful models appear to be adaptable to multiple sites or objects, intuitive to use, run using widely available software and produce output translatable into practical actions. Model tuning is also vital for the model to be effective. A specific purpose should be determined from the outset to enable tuning in the earliest design stages. Heritage models can be developed to explore theories or processes that affect or interact with heritage. Input should also be tuned to relevant temporal and spatial scales and consider duration and location. Additionally, it is important to account for materials and elements specific to heritage. Models need to be useful and usable if they are to be effective. User-friendly programs and interfaces help practical use. However, success can create problems, as input and output could become socially or commercially sensitive. The wider use of models may require broader discussion among heritage professionals and the provision of training.

Scope and limitations of heritage-based resilience: some reflections from Nepal

Recent risk preparedness and recovery frameworks have focused in particular on the themes of heritage and resilience. It is generally agreed among heritage professionals that heritage can play an important role in postdisaster recovery and resilience. However, heritage (monuments or sites or even intangible heritage) in general is perceived as a fragile resource that needs to be saved instead of as a source of resilience. This raises a question on what resilience means for the conceptualisation of heritage – is it about ‘building back’ the same heritage there was before, or is it also about making heritage relevant to the changed situation (due to disaster etc.)? Is resilience an inherent quality of heritage, or can it also be a process for reconsidering heritage in the postdisaster period? Instead of pursuing heritage as a passive recipient of any response and resilience building process, we can ask (i) how heritage provides refuge in times of crisis, (ii) how heritage can be an agent of distress in some situations, and (iii) what heritage and resilience mean together. Scholars have begun to raise questions about the meaning of heritage for building resilience and the meaning of resilience in relation to heritage. Taking built heritage as an example, while many aspects of built heritage, such as construction techniques, open spaces or resilient materials, may contribute to resilience and recovery, there are also situations where narrow streets and dense built fabric add to disaster risks. Similar dilemmas may be observed in the case of intangible heritage associated with urban areas and everyday life. Thus, this paper challenges the romanticisation of heritage values and explores rationales and critical perspectives that will enable us to conceptualise heritage as a potential source of resilience and recovery. By examining these critical issues, the paper hopes to help enhance the notion of heritage-based urban resilience and recovery rather than loosely promoting it. In doing so, references are made to global frameworks as well as local realities related to the 2015 earthquakes in Nepal.

Scheduling Heritage in Malta

Scheduling is a cultural heritage tool to provide statutory protection to heritage assets. This article is an analysis of the process of securing protection of immovable cultural heritage buildings and sites in the Maltese Islands. Through qualitative interviews with key stakeholders – namely, heritage professionals – this study exposes shortcomings and limitations of the existing local scheduling process. It proposes the public as a main stakeholder and lists several recommendations put forward by the participants for a more inclusive methodology of selecting and scheduling cultural heritage buildings and sites. It concludes by proposing the adoption of modes of rendering the process and assessment of heritage assets less subjective, notably through the adoption of the prototype computation of heritage values based on a heritage value grid.

THE FIRST ATTEMPT FOR STANDARDISATION IN 3D DIGITISATION. THE EU STUDY ON QUALITY IN 3D DIGITISATION OF TANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

Abstract. This paper focuses on the exceptional results of the EU Study (Commission et al., 2022) to map the parameters, formats, standards, benchmarks and methodologies relating to the 3D digitisation of tangible cultural heritage (CH). The overall objective of our paper is to further the quality of the 3D digitisation process by enabling cultural heritage professionals, institutions, content developers, stakeholders and academics to define and produce high-quality digitisation standards and sustainable conservation models for the preservation, documentation, understanding, and accessibility of tangible cultural heritage assets. The aim is to achieve high quality results during the 2D and 3D recording process of CH tangible assets. This work identifies for the first time in this domain, key parameters of the digitisation process, estimated the relative complexity and how it is linked to technology, its impact on quality and its various factors. It also presents standards and formats used for 3D digitisation, including data types, data formats and metadata schemas for 3D structures within a holistic documentation approach. Finally, this work presents and describes all the features and parameters of the complexity and quality that influence the methodology and infrastructure to be used for high quality results regarding digital cultural heritage. These complexity and quality factors are illustrated in the form of radial charts with the corresponding relevant information at the end of the paper.

A FLEXIBLE WORKFLOW FOR MULTIMODAL 3D IMAGING OF VAULTED PAINTED CEILINGS IN HIGH DETAIL

Abstract. 3D imaging is an increasingly common tool for the investigation of cultural heritage. Painted ceilings offer particular challenges as the art historical requirements necessitate highly detailed and accurate capture of colour textures with sub-millimetre resolution, even of large areas of 100s of square metres, situated in a wide variety of building environments. Geometrical information is also required to represent fully the three-dimensional nature of these sculpted and vaulted ceilings, again at the resolution necessary for both documentation and use by cultural heritage professionals including conservators, restorers, building researchers, architects and art historians. This paper describes a multi-modal campaign of 3D digitisation of three very different sites undertaken as part of the Franco-German Plafond 3D project. We introduce a flexible and adaptable methodology that allows the detailed imaging of large interiors and ceiling paintings in a short period of time and with varying levels of access.

Semi-automatic classification of digital heritage on the Aïoli open source 2D/3D annotation platform via machine learning and deep learning

Today, digital tools represent a privileged means of describing and understanding of cultural heritage. However, existing hybrid methods for semantic annotation on digital models are mostly manual and require considerable human intervention. This may cause data dispersion or data alteration issues, preventing the digital collection of multidisciplinary heritage information in collaborative valorization and conservation projects. Tackling this problem, this work presents three different methods for more automated 2D/3D data annotation, making the most of Machine Learning or Deep Learning and of the collaborative, web-based annotation platform Aïoli. The proposed approaches are designed to assist heritage experts in the hybrid annotation of architectural objects, e.g., to identify building components, degradation patterns, mapping of alterations, materials etc. and to share and access 2D/3D information via the web. The work aims at providing public and private stakeholders in charge of restoration and conservation activities with a set of more automated annotation tools, allowing to: i) preserve data in the transition to different representation types; ii) propagate analytically relevant information via digital models and/or images; iii) share heritage-related data on the web with an open source strategy. The validated workflows sketch the outlines of a dedicated and user-friendly toolbar for semi-automatic annotation, directly integrated into the Aïoli user interface, where automated annotation tools are readily available to the community of heritage professionals to properly support documentation and restoration activities.

Empowering cultural heritage professionals: designing interactive exhibitions with authoring tools

ABSTRACT This paper advocates for the involvement of Cultural Heritage Professionals (CHPs) such as curators, staff, and volunteers, in the design process for creating engaging museum exhibitions. The paper presents two prototypes: a desktop system that assists CHPs in creating interactive tools easily and intuitively, and a mobile application that allows museum visitors to enjoy interactive experiences created by museum curators. The system supports CHPs in creating interactive exhibitions that engage museum visitors by making the process easier, efficient, and effective. The paper discusses four case studies involving three museums in Madeira, Portugal, with 9 curators and 59 visitors participating; and it concludes by emphasizing the importance of involving CHPs in creating interactive museum exhibitions and providing guidance on using authoring tools. This approach can improve museum management and curatorship practices, leading to engaging exhibits, better learning outcomes, reduced costs, and innovation for visitors.

Outside Inn: Exploring the Heritage of a Historic Hotel through 360-Panoramas

This research project investigates the potential of 360-panorama tours to improve the situated and contextual interpretation, virtual visitation, and spatial understanding of recorded or simulated built heritage sites. Our chosen case study was the Subiaco Hotel, a significant heritage building designed by Summerhayes Architecture, which we documented using 360-degree photographs and linked with other media to create an interactive 360-panorama tour. Today, 360-degree panorama tours such as Google Street View enable the virtual exploration of heritage sites and historic buildings. They demonstrate limited interaction and immersion across a range of platforms and devices, without the requirement of expensive virtual reality headsets, but typically do not integrate other media to leverage spatially richer ways to communicate the historical developments of architectural interiors and exteriors. The primary goals of this study were to establish a comprehensive step-by-step workflow for creating an interactive tour of a significant heritage site, demonstrate how other media such as text, videos, and 3D models can be linked, gather feedback from cultural heritage professionals, and offer future research directions and development guidelines. Apart from detailing an optimized workflow for developing interactive 360-degree virtual tours for heritage buildings, we also offer guidelines for optimal panoramic tour creation and implementation.

Learning with a purpose: a metals chemistry course centered on objects conservation

Abstract Corrosion is the visible result of redox reactions on multiple substrates, “rust” being the known, although this term only applies to iron and iron alloy objects. Using corrosion as a relatable example to teach redox eases this concepts’ understanding because its results are visually identifiable; both in everyday objects like door hinges, and in cultural heritage objects like cannons. This article concerns the latter class of objects, as they have the potential to engage people interested in fields that seem unrelated to chemistry. The reality is the opposite, as cultural heritage professionals assess objects used in humanities disciplines like archeology and history through the lens of science. This article discusses how conservators approach corrosion on cultural heritage objects and provides experiments for any base-knowledge and age-level students to learn about the process of corrosion and electrochemistry.

Mental health risks for cultural heritage professionals within the framework of disaster risk reduction: An exploratory study on the emotional impact of ruins after the 2016 earthquake in central Italy

Across the disaster risk reduction (DRR) community, there is a growing recognition that protecting cultural heritage has a key role in strengthening community sense and resilience. Despite this, however, cultural heritage first aiders, that is, heritage professionals managing the activities of securing movable and immovable cultural heritage in emergencies after disasters, are not adequately recognized in the DRR framework with respect to the mental risks they face, working in the field of emergencies. This study aims to explore the specific quality of mental health risks for cultural heritage first aiders, analyzing the emotional impact of the sight of cultural heritage ruins on a sample of cultural heritage first aiders, compared with a sample of emergency psychologists and earthquake victims, together with exploring the possible role of collateral variables, such as personality traits. Participants were 30 Italian adults who have been involved, to different degrees and roles, in the 2016 Central Italy (Marche region) earthquake or immediately after, for post-disaster emergency activities. Results showed an interesting gradient of the emotional impact of heritage ruins, with heritage professionals at the apex of it. Moreover, heritage professionals showed a higher aesthetic-artistic sensitivity together with the presence of post-traumatic stress long after the disaster event, thus highlighting a specific profile of risk for mental health, which should be taken into serious account by the scientific community. A suggestion is finally proposed on the potential usefulness of including pre-disaster psychological training for cultural heritage aiders in the DRR strategies, also in light of the increasing need for a person-centered approach integrating Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in the DRR framework.

Introduction

Introduction

Is dc:subject enough? A landscape on iconography and iconology statements of knowledge graphs in the semantic web

PurposeIn the last few years, the size of Linked Open Data (LOD) describing artworks, in general or domain-specific Knowledge Graphs (KGs), is gradually increasing. This provides (art-)historians and Cultural Heritage professionals with a wealth of information to explore. Specifically, structured data about iconographical and iconological (icon) aspects, i.e. information about the subjects, concepts and meanings of artworks, are extremely valuable for the state-of-the-art of computational tools, e.g. content recognition through computer vision. Nevertheless, a data quality evaluation for art domains, fundamental for data reuse, is still missing. The purpose of this study is filling this gap with an overview of art-historical data quality in current KGs with a focus on the icon aspects.Design/methodology/approachThis study’s analyses are based on established KG evaluation methodologies, adapted to the domain by addressing requirements from art historians’ theories. The authors first select several KGs according to Semantic Web principles. Then, the authors evaluate (1) their structures’ suitability to describe icon information through quantitative and qualitative assessment and (2) their content, qualitatively assessed in terms of correctness and completeness.FindingsThis study’s results reveal several issues on the current expression of icon information in KGs. The content evaluation shows that these domain-specific statements are generally correct but often not complete. The incompleteness is confirmed by the structure evaluation, which highlights the unsuitability of the KG schemas to describe icon information with the required granularity.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this work is an overview of the actual landscape of the icon information expressed in LOD. Therefore, it is valuable to cultural institutions by providing them a first domain-specific data quality evaluation. Since this study’s results suggest that the selected domain information is underrepresented in Semantic Web datasets, the authors highlight the need for the creation and fostering of such information to provide a more thorough art-historical dimension to LOD.

Protocols to Prevent Transmission of the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: Three Case Studies

The goal of the paper is to explain the risk posed by rodent contaminated materials and environments to cultural heritage professionals, to provide sound information from professional literature and reputable sources, to offer standardized protocols gleaned from these sources, and to view the protocols through case studies from three projects. By spelling out the affinity that rodents have for historic sites, museum collections, archives holdings, records repositories, library collections, and cultural heritage infrastructure it will be clear the risk is paramount. By making clear the widespread habitat of rodents that can spread viruses the case is made for wide adoption of protocols. Diverse professionals, working in conservation and allied fields, can utilize information in this paper as a starting point in planning projects to assess, handle, and treat rodent impacted items, storage areas, and sites.

FROM “EXHIBITION” TO “LABORATORY”: RETHINKING CURATORIAL PRACTICES THROUGH A DIGITAL EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT. THE CASE STUDY OF #DOLOMITESMUSEUM - LABORATORY OF STORIES

Digital curation is one of the most experimental areas of museum practice introduced by the digital revolution. A whole new generation of cultural experiences are emerging from the interaction with online spaces and social media platforms, encouraging museums to explore new curatorial approaches. In this paper, we will show how a digital experimental project led to the rethinking of the exhibition format into a more collaborative, interdisciplinary and laboratory approach to museum curation. The case study analysed is Laboratory of Stories, a dynamic participatory archive which was co-designed with a vibrant community of heritage professionals, local communities, and lovers of the Dolomites during a three-year project. An evaluation study combining different qualitative and quantitative methods was implemented to explore the nature of this curatorial practice. A series of key findings emerged from the study: the introduction of new narrative styles and interdisciplinary perspectives; the involvement of different communities in the curatorial process; the shift from a tangible, object-based, to a more intangible, open, and dialogic interpretation of heritage and of knowledge making. The findings show how the ‘laboratory’ metaphor can help museums to embrace the challenges of a participatory, post-digital society, suggesting a novel approach where the co-creation of narratives is at the heart of the curatorial practice.

FROM “EXHIBITION” TO “LABORATORY”: RETHINKING CURATORIAL PRACTICES THROUGH A DIGITAL EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT. THE CASE STUDY OF #DOLOMITESMUSEUM - LABORATORY OF STORIES

Digital curation is one of the most experimental areas of museum practice introduced by the digital revolution. A whole new generation of cultural experiences are emerging from the interaction with online spaces and social media platforms, encouraging museums to explore new curatorial approaches. In this paper, we will show how a digital experimental project led to the rethinking of the exhibition format into a more collaborative, interdisciplinary and laboratory approach to museum curation. The case study analysed is Laboratory of Stories, a dynamic participatory archive which was co-designed with a vibrant community of heritage professionals, local communities, and lovers of the Dolomites during a three-year project. An evaluation study combining different qualitative and quantitative methods was implemented to explore the nature of this curatorial practice. A series of key findings emerged from the study: the introduction of new narrative styles and interdisciplinary perspectives; the involvement of different communities in the curatorial process; the shift from a tangible, object-based, to a more intangible, open, and dialogic interpretation of heritage and of knowledge making. The findings show how the ‘laboratory’ metaphor can help museums to embrace the challenges of a participatory, post-digital society, suggesting a novel approach where the co-creation of narratives is at the heart of the curatorial practice.

Participatory Design Workshops: Interdisciplinary Encounters within a Collaborative Digital Heritage Project

This article aims to investigate how participatory design influences interdisciplinary relationships in digital heritage projects. In particular, the article reflects on opportunities and challenges of interdisciplinary encounters in participatory design, with the cross-border project “Terra Mosana” as a case study, which aims to investigate, digitalize, and communicate the shared heritage of the Meuse–Rhine Euregion (EMR). Terra Mosana is a collaboration between multiple partners from municipalities, museums, cultural heritage sites, and universities in different EMR cities. Partners of the project have different backgrounds that vary from archaeologists, historians, and heritage professionals to computer scientists, developers, and communication specialists. My role in this project focused on designing and organizing several participatory design workshops with citizens of the EMR, aiming to empower and enable them to share their views about their shared history, and what they want from museums and other cultural institutions. Those workshops play a crucial role in the project by creating meaningful connections across the different disciplines involved in the project. In this article, I focus on the negotiation processes between the partners involved: What challenges were they confronted with? How did they arrive at creative solutions, and which issues remained unresolved? My analysis does not draw only on my participatory observation of workshops, but also on a focus group discussion that invited the partners to reflect on and assess the collaborative process.