Reproduction

Regarding the reproduction of destroyed buildings and artifacts, 3D printing technology has opened up a lot of new possibilities. 

3D models of the 8 layers made with photogrammetry software

Reproduction of
the Arc of Palmyra

The Institute for Digital Archaeology, based in UK, has been challenging ISIS by reproducing replicas through 3D printing. To produce 3D models of cultural heritage sites at-risk, they have distributed 3D cameras to volunteers in Middle East and North Africa. Their goal is to gather one million 3-D images of sites in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Iran and Yemen. 

They have created a 3D model of the arc of Palmyra, which was assembled in London’s Trafalgar Square. As the institute’s director, Roger Michel, said, “it is really a political statement [...] we are saying to them, if you destroy something we can rebuild it again.”

Should we be aware to do not make the same mistakes by “labelling” these data, it means, by giving a one-dimensional meaning to those places, like it has been doing in ethnological museums for instance? 

By “challenging” ISIS with the 3D printed Palmyra arch in London city centre, are we not reinforcing the dichotomy between we and the other? As designers who work with curation, exhibition, restoration and digital heritage, we must be aware of our responsibilities regarding this issue. 

After the unveiling of the 3D printed arch in Trafalgar Square, Joseph Willits of the Council for Arab-British Understanding expressed his concern: “While the digitally created replica of Palmyra’s Arch of Triumph looked glorious in the London sunshine,
I cannot help but feel this project plays a role in cementing the idea that Syria’s monuments and heritage are far more important than its people.”