RECONSTRUÇÃO DIGITAL

A PRESERVAÇÃO EM MEIO DIGITAL DA HERANÇA CULTURAL

Abstract

The evolution of digital technology and recent episodes of the destruction of world heritage are being decisive for the production of digital reconstruction models. The official protection bodies encourage reconstruction as a political reaffirmation and resilience. Less controversial and reversible, these digital models represent objects, restoring them visually, acquiring different aspects, such as artwork (artistic models), whose function is predominantly aesthetic or entertainment. Another aspect is like a historical document, characterised by its value and rigour scientific. In a digital reconstruction, authenticity is supported by scientific and historical research; however, there is also a fundamental problem: the many interpretations of historical data, influenced by the very notion of historical value. So, how should digital reconstructions be treated since they are intended to be a historical document and a model of historical information? This article proposes to reflect on the thesis that these digital reconstructions should not be seen as a mere visual recovery but also as materialisation (in digital medium) of cultural heritage. This implies the construction of models capable of representing and transmitting material and immaterial values, presenting different versions of the history without obliterating their real partner and meanings.