Smart Replicas bringing heritage back to life Maaike Roozenburg Treasuries of objects
at this time? And what is their significance in a
Our museological heritage comprises collections
rapidly digitizing society?
of objects — from paintings to pottery — which
Museums and cultural heritage sites are the
have been categorized, grown and preserved
“institutions” who manage this heritage; store-
over the course of centuries. Objects we value
houses of objects, stories, images and historical
for their historical, cultural and social context;
knowledge. The conservative way these objects
objects that play a key role in the way we view
are made accessible — you must to go to a muse-
our shared history and cultural identity. Our his-
um or exhibition — means you can admire, but not
tory is examined, reconstructed and visualized
touch, let alone use them. This strips the objects
through these objects, but how can we relate to
of their main purpose and function — their origi-
all these stored items? What is their relevance
nal use — and isolates them from our daily lives.
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