In Conversation with Dr. Geoff Blundell
In the heart of South Africa's cultural tapestry lies an intricate mosaic of traditions, historical treasures, and irreplaceable heritage. As we venture into the world of digitising cultural heritage, we are honored to introduce you to Dr. Geoff Blundell, Head of the Human Science Department at the KZN Museum.
As some of you may already know, here at .CoLab, we specialise in the digitisation and automation of your SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), Business Process Flows, and Financial Systems. However, as we approach the celebration of Heritage Day this September, we yearn to offer you a fresh perspective on digitisation - a journey into the realm of Digitising Heritage.
This is where Dr. Blundell comes into the picture. We reached out to his team, and he graciously agreed to share his wisdom and insights on this captivating subject. We are deeply grateful for his collaboration in bringing you this article.
Interview:
Can you provide an overview of the importance of preserving cultural heritage, especially in a diverse country like South Africa?
Dr. Blundell: South Africa has some of the world’s most significant ancient heritage. From some of the oldest hominids to some of the most spectacular and best-understood rock art in the world, the country is rich in globally significant heritage. Much of this heritage, particularly the fragile rock art, is under threat; as it is irreplaceable, it needs to be preserved.
How does the process of digitisation essentially transform physical artifacts and historical items into something that can be explored and appreciated digitally?
Dr. Blundell: All digital information is a form of representation. That is to say, it has been selected, manipulated, and re-presented by specific people for specific reasons. What digital techniques allow, is for the rapid manipulation, reproduction, and distribution of data.
Could you share some insights into the digitisation process itself? What steps are involved, from selecting items to making them digitally accessible?
Dr. Blundell: The extent of the KZN Museum’s ongoing digitisation programme is to ensure that its collections of some 45,000 catalogue cards are comprehensively and accurately captured, including images and text information. Shorter-term projects are undertaken for display or research processes where selected items are captured in 3D.
In the context of a local museum, what types of cultural heritage items are commonly digitised?
Dr. Blundell: We are a national museum, but local museums typically have even fewer resources to allocate to digitisation.
What challenges or limitations might museums face when digitising cultural heritage, and how are these challenges addressed?
Dr. Blundell: The same challenges they face when focusing on their priority - the curation of physical heritage assets with a financial and scientific value - a shortage of skilled human resources.
Could you discuss the role of partnerships and collaborations in enhancing the digitisation and accessibility of cultural heritage?
Dr. Blundell: These are generally unsuccessful because the expertise that is necessary to carry out the labour is within the museums themselves and they are short-staffed. The external partners typically do not have the skillset needed for the requisite work.
What measures are in place to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of digitised cultural artifacts?
Dr. Blundell: Human expertise plays a crucial role in ensuring authenticity and accuracy.
How do you balance the need for preservation with the potential risks associated with digitisation, such as copyright issues or data security concerns?
Dr. Blundell: Preservation focuses on the actual authentic object, not the digital representation.
How has the digitisation of cultural heritage impacted tourism and cultural exchange in South Africa?
Dr. Blundell: Very little, people want to see and visit the real thing when they are tourists. If you see a 3D model of the Mona Lisa on the internet, one could speculate to what degree that has driven tourism to Paris but people still go to the Louvre to see the original.
Are there any future plans or innovations in the field of digitisation that you believe will further enhance the preservation and accessibility of cultural heritage?
Dr. Blundell: Innovations like LIDAR and photogrammetry hold promise for the future of digitisation.
In wrapping up our interview with Dr. Geoff Blundell, it is evident that the digitisation of cultural heritage is a dynamic and evolving field. However, while technology has opened new doors for preserving our past, the preservation of the physical artifacts remains at the heart of their efforts.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Blundell for his time, expertise, and insights into the world of heritage digitisation.
As we celebrate Heritage Day this September, let's carry forward the awareness of the value of heritage and the importance of its preservation. It's our communal responsibility to ensure that future generations understand and appreciate their heritage.
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