On digitalization, documentation and preserving the tradition

The National Maritime Museum hosted a delegation from the National Research Centre of Central China Normal University (CCNU) in Wuhan. The visit took place on behalf of the Inter-Museum Digitalization Group DigiMuz. The Gdańsk Tourist Organization coordinated the stay of the delegates. Representatives of the Gdańsk History Museum (one of the museums in the city involved in the DigiMuz) participated in the event as well.

Attendees visited the Maritime Culture Centre and have seen the archeological findings’ documentation workshop. The guest from Wuhan were acquainted with the 3D documentation methods and conservation process. The freeze-drier functioning has been presented in detail. Then, the CCNU scientist explored the “Boats of People of the World”exhibition where some relics connected with the Chinese culture could be found.

As the second stage of the visit, a working meeting has taken place, during which both sides introduced their output in the field of cultural heritage documentation. The Chinese delegates were mainly interested in the digital documentation and to this subject the further proceedings have been dedicated.

The National Research Centre of Culture Industries (NRCCI) in Central China Normal University is one of the six centers in China that coordinates and conducts the documentation of the intangible cultural heritage (concerning the tradition, crafts, folk art) the existence of which is endangered due to the rapid development of the technology and social changes. CCNU cooperates in this area of expertise with Hubei Provincial Museum.

In China a record of the crafts at risk is kept and the university faculty in collaboration with the curators documents the numerous rites accompanying the ceremonies and celebrations. One of the examples of such a cooperation (on the national scale) was the digital documentation of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations in twenty seven provinces of China (five of which are autonomous). The photographs and videos were used to record the differences between the provinces and the lesser known ceremonials. Additionally, the dance techniques are documented through so called “Motion capture” (mocap), a method, in this particular instance, based on the copying of the three-dimensional movements of the dance participants and saving them in the digital form.

Another project, as the intangible Chinese cultural heritage is concerned, are the actions to preserve the teachings of the Confucius and Taoism, all being an important part of the nation’s identity. Solely to this purpose a special animated series and educational games for children and youngsters were created using the digital technology. During the meeting, as to present an example of another kind of initiative, the participants were taken for a virtual trip through the traditional Chinese village with preserved tracts, architecture, villagers’ clothing; the lighting and the weather could be manipulated.

The representatives of the Intermuseal Group For Digitization – DigiMuz discussed its primary objectives and the accomplished goals so far. The National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk presented its projects in the field of digitalization as well. The main conclusion was that there’s a necessity for the closer cooperation in the field of the material and intangible cultural heritage documentation.