New Technologies in the Preservation of Cultural Artifacts with Spatial, Temporal, Corporeal, Kinetic Dimensions: Artifacts in the Trinidad Carnival

• Main Author: Vernelle A. A Noel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Indiana University Office of Scholarly Publishing 2017-12-01
• Series: Studies in Digital Heritage
• Subjects: Augmented Reality; Exhibition; Computer Interaction; Corporeal; Trinidad Carnival
• Online Access: https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/sdh/article/view/23277

Cultural artifacts with spatial, temporal, corporeal, and kinetic dimensions are difficult to describe, display, and interact when it comes to their preservation and exhibition. These artifacts - which I call STiCK artifacts - are large three-dimensional sculptures or structures that occupy physical space, last for a short period of time, and are performed by the human body. The purpose of this paper is to highlight some of the challenges associated with these artifacts and propose three solutions to them. Using four STiCK artifacts in the Trinidad Carnival as a case study, I illustrate how we might develop new ways of describing, representing, and interacting with STiCK artifacts for the preservation using: (1) parametric modelling, (2) augmented reality technology, and (3) embodied computer interaction. By analyzing, translating, parametrizing, and modeling existing textual and visual documentation describing the artifacts I address these problems with new technologies. Findings include the development of new ways of describing these artifacts for heritage and preservation; its ability to allow users to engage in embodied interaction through, and with these artifacts; and its ability to teach users how to design and how to perform the artifacts.