GLOBAL PRACTICES OF DIGITAL REPRESENTATION OF MUSEUM COLLECTIONS BASED ON CURRENT EXAMPLES

Abstract

Digital representation of cultural artifacts has evolved from a simple archival practice into a multifaceted global phenomenon with far-reaching implications for various institutions and individual practitioners involved in preservation and study of nations’ cultural heritage. Interestingly, such ideas are not driven solely by commercial interest nor the need for safeguarding artifacts themselves. This paper examines the likely motivations, methods, and outcomes of various efforts aimed at such digital representation. We focus on four key objectives. Firstly, the analysis of how digitization ensures the potential long-term preservation of historical artifacts by way of creating high-fidelity digital copies instead of physical lookalikes. Secondly, we explore current examples of how institutions leverage publicly accessible digital collections to grow the recognition of own brand image and expand their audience outreach. Thirdly, the paper investigates the role of digital archives in facilitating the promotion of regional history and culture, making this heritage accessible beyond physical boundaries of any given region and/or archive collection. Finally, taking a look at how practical application of digitization efforts has indirectly contributed to creation of a self-sustaining feedback loop, driving the evolution of both digitizing technologies and the philosophies governing their use and application. Demonstrated examples serve as actionable proof that digital representation is no longer treated merely as a technical process but a large-scale change in the relationship between humanity and its own cultural heritage. Despite this, we recognize that the largest and most influential impact of such initiatives is possible only when their results are freely accessible, with assured long-term existence of produced digital files in a similarly open-access format.