Switzerland has introduced a new technology for the safe digitization of complex artifacts for their subsequent demonstration on the Internet. Some believe that it will help to stimulate online-продажи art

• the gospel of John. The end II — beginning of the III century Greek papyrus
  the Property of the Fund Bodmer Martina (Switzerland)
  the Digitization technology Artmyn
  artmyn.com

Information occasion was the successful digitization of Greek papyrus II–III century text of the gospel of John. It is believed to be the oldest versions of the gospel. And health this document is, alas, age. The pages may crumble into dust from any careless touch. Physical access to the document today do not provide even a scientist. But now, this is not necessary. An ancient manuscript carefully digitized and posted on the access.

Risky business was entrusted to a young Swiss company Artmyn. What they do, — is a non contact scanning, what we usually present. To get the maximum image quality, they make 100 000 frames, and then collect them in a large image by a special algorithm. To understand the ordinary online shutter professional digital cameras — is the order of 200 000 (and household CD players and all 20 000 actuations shutter). That is, two expensive cameras will be enough for 4 shots. But the size of the resulting superholographic is 1 500 000 000 — half a billion — pixels. It's all the space! But it still had to be done so that this data can be viewed online. Here are the Swiss came up with it. And they figured out how to view objects from different angles, zoom in to the hundreds (!) time to consider a different angle to the light, with different lighting. Plus has introduced digital "fingerprints" (markers for protection of authenticity), and status data, losses, etc.

the cost of digitization of each image are not given, but we can assume that we are talking at least several thousand dollars, assuming that a simple object, not a manuscript.

Why and who needs it?

the Developers expect that the technology will be in demand by insurance companies, restorers and, more importantly, buyers of art in the Network. Meant that people are hesitant on buying the remote because you can't "feel" the lots via the Internet. And it seems to be a significant deterrent. Should make a good photo — and trade will go.

well, the insurers don't know, but about the role of photos for online-продаж have something to say.

the problem with the photos of the lots do exist. And not one:

1. People do not read written or read inattentively. Why beginners fail to see the real size of the paintings, sculptures, etc. And forget to build it mentally in my head. The result can start to haggle for a small thing as meter. Or, conversely, can buy such a giant that will have nowhere to hang. On the trading floors of modern art (where especially a lot of larger works) that are trying to fight the placement next to a body shape of an adult — to feel the scale. But it is not always convenient, so the wide spread of the technology has not been.

2. There is a paradox: strong work on the Internet (and in print) look worse than it actually is. But mediocre, on the contrary, the better. The same applies to small and large. To deal with this is still notlearned. Or risk, or to look alive.

3. The colors on the screens are different from real one. Sometimes strongly. In paper catalog, you can try and do a color correction. What to do with the monitors, the screens of smartphones and tablets? Everybody is different. The same lot will look-разному on the screen of iPhone and Samsung AMOLED c-экраном.

And that this problem is doing today online-аукционы and exhibitions? Yes, almost anything. And I can understand why. No doubt a good photo — is great. However, a visual representation of the lot is not a decisive factor for the success of the sale. Buyers not so the fussiest of eaters. Moreover, with a-то of time improving the quality of the photo does not give any gain. And excess bells and whistles and all the way. Yourself what would you choose: a small but quick uploaded photo or 3D-модель that can "blunt" or worse, require installation of additional plugins? @Ndashто it.

the Sellers today are obviously of the same opinion. "Fancy" digitization — is an additional cost, and will it use — have doubts.

But it is. After a few years, it is possible that-то will change. Build a cellular network 5G, smartphones become more powerful and the costs of "scanning" will fall in a few times — then, maybe, the sellers and change your mind.

And while the ways of the visual representation and delivery are developed in a mode of attraction. Look, for example, how to look at high resolution imagery on Google Arts & Culture: the photo the paintings of Jackson Pollock even from the fluff fibers of the hardboard can be considered. Are we still before the era of holography did not really lived. But there are also breakthroughs in the representation of volume objects — view though this. as soon As it becomes profitable, economically justified — will implement this same hour. If for business, not for beauty.

Vladimir Bogdanov, AI

Source: news.artnet.com