“Human” technology in the digital era: Freehand images and analysis of cultural heritage –the know-how and its applications

Abstract

Rapidly developing advanced methods and techniques often displace the traditional ones. But might such “traditional” perception of the “old” as hopelessly outdated cause us to overlook its intrinsic qualities? Could a relevance for actual disadvantages be suggested, could a traditionally time-consuming technology be transformed into an effective one, with its original values preserved? This paper reconsiders the role of freehand sketching in modern conservation of cultural heritage by shifting the main focus from the result to the process. It presents a method, combined with the rapid learning methodology for achieving this traditional artistic ability, and examines its focused application to the visual analysis of cultural heritage by non-artist users. This paper demonstrates its wide accessibility to the general public and conservation experts, and examines its uses in modern multi-and interdisciplinary conservation of built heritage through recent results of the application of the method in national and international projects.