The Methodology of Virtualizing Sculptures and Drawings: A Case Study of the Virtual Depot of the Gallery of Matica Srpska

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to introduce the public to the virtual depot of the Gallery of Matica Srpska (GMS), which showcases a collection of sculptures that have been digitized using a Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry and presented by the use of virtual reality and paintings, and drawings were presented through a digital flipbook application. Through the application of cutting-edge methods, highly precise digital replicas of these significant cultural artifacts have been created with details that are difficult to see without a magnifying glass when observing the physical artifact. Additionally, it explores the profound significance and advantages of the virtual depot, such as facilitating remote access, augmenting preservation endeavors, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, academic research, educational purposes, and public engagement. The implementation of the virtual depot offers a novel approach to showcasing and studying cultural heritage, opening up new possibilities for the exploration and appreciation of these artifacts in a digital environment. Today, the collection of the GMS encompasses more than 10,000 art objects, which means that one visitor would need about 53 years to access each individual artifact. Virtual depot enables each visitor to do this much faster, but more importantly, in any occasion and setting that they find suitable.