The technology now exists to enable us to scan and preserve the most complex monuments, artefacts and buildings, so they can be reproduced now or in the future. At a time when thousands of irreplaceable antiquities have been destroyed, the need for this technology has never been greater
By Liz Terry | Published in Attractions Management 2015 issue 2
It’s been a challenging time for the heritage sector. Widespread destruction of temples and other ancient monuments has been reported in Kathmandu following the Nepal earthquake, along with a huge loss of life.
In Syria and Iraq, the devastation has been man-made, with the tearing down of antiquities by ISIS. Many agencies and governments are calling for action: UNESCO has suggested the creation of protected zones, the Italian government has called for the UN to intervene and Iraq’s tourism and antiquities minister has asked the US to protect the country’s archaeological sites.
It’s significant that the tourism minister has been the one to make the call, because heritage drives a high proportion of tourism visits and as Iraq and other war-torn countries work towards rebuilding a peace-time economy, tourism will have an important role to play in the regeneration.
Kathmandu has a huge tourism economy too, so making the city safe and attractive for the return of tourists will be a priority.
In this issue of Attractions Management, we look at how technology can help in situations where historic sites are under threat. Our interview with Elizabeth Lee on page 74 examines the CyArk project, which is working tirelessly to digitise precious objects and locations so they can be replicated – either to preserve the original or to recreate it.
CyArk is a non-profit organisation, founded in 2003, which uses state-of-the-art laser scanning technology to compile highly detailed 3D representations of cultural heritage sites, so they can be recreated using 3D printing and modelling.
The use of replicas is an area of the attractions industry which looks set to grow significantly over the next few decades. There are many reasons for this in addition to natural disaster, war and wilful destruction: perhaps the items in question are in inaccessible locations, or they’re too fragile to handle being exposed to visitors, for example.
In France, the government has invested €56m (US$60m, £40.2m) recreating prehistoric cave paintings at the Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, a huge collection of paintings of horses, mammoths and rhinos which are among the oldest documented art on earth. The paintings, which are anything up to 37,000 years old, were discovered in 1994.
The project will enable people to experience the incredible cave art while keeping the delicate originals from harm.
Replication also allows more widespread access to cultural heritage when combined with touring rather than static exhibitions. Where a location is fascinating, with a widespread appeal, there will be opportunities to replicate it and take it on the road for guest appearances in museums’ temporary exhibition spaces.
In addition to being priceless in every sense, cultural heritage is of educational significance and a huge driver of tourism. The technology now exists to enable us to permanently capture the form of the most precious things on earth so they can be understood by future generations. We need organisations such as CyArk to step up the pace before more is destroyed.
Liz Terry, editor. Twitter:@elizterry
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2015 issue 2
Interview: Marty Sklar
Retired Disney Legend Marty Sklar
reveals the secrets of Imagineering,
the legacy of the 1964 World’s Fair
and the lessons he learned as
Walt Disney’s “keeper of the keys”
Talking Point: The $100 Barrier
As a Walt Disney World day ticket
enters three-digit territory for
the first time, we ask what this
means for pricing in the sector
Museums: Biomuseo
Panama has opened the world’s first
museum of biodiversity, an ambitious
building by architect Frank Gehry. We
meet the team behind the project
Expos: Food for Thought
Expo Milano 2015 launches in Italy,
aiming to bring the planet’s most
pressing problems to the fore, not least
how to provide food for everybody
Zoos & Aquariums: On the SAFE Side
AZA chair Dennis Pate explains a new
initiative designed to help endangered
animals, and offers some tips from
his world-class Henry Doorly zoo
Promotional feature: IDEATTACK
IDEATTACK is a creative maverick with a
new perspective, bringing custom-made
one-of-a-kind attractions typologies to
a world that needs something di�fferent
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the third part of our series, we look at
the enduring appeal of wooden coasters
Ticketing: Dream Tickets
Ticketing systems are advancing to
improve the guest’s experience and the
operator’s profit. We investigate the
sector’s current and upcoming trends
The technology now exists to enable us to scan and preserve the most complex monuments, artefacts and buildings, so they can be reproduced now or in the future. At a time when thousands of irreplaceable antiquities have been destroyed, the need for this technology has never been greater
By Liz Terry | Published in Attractions Management 2015 issue 2
It’s been a challenging time for the heritage sector. Widespread destruction of temples and other ancient monuments has been reported in Kathmandu following the Nepal earthquake, along with a huge loss of life.
In Syria and Iraq, the devastation has been man-made, with the tearing down of antiquities by ISIS. Many agencies and governments are calling for action: UNESCO has suggested the creation of protected zones, the Italian government has called for the UN to intervene and Iraq’s tourism and antiquities minister has asked the US to protect the country’s archaeological sites.
It’s significant that the tourism minister has been the one to make the call, because heritage drives a high proportion of tourism visits and as Iraq and other war-torn countries work towards rebuilding a peace-time economy, tourism will have an important role to play in the regeneration.
Kathmandu has a huge tourism economy too, so making the city safe and attractive for the return of tourists will be a priority.
In this issue of Attractions Management, we look at how technology can help in situations where historic sites are under threat. Our interview with Elizabeth Lee on page 74 examines the CyArk project, which is working tirelessly to digitise precious objects and locations so they can be replicated – either to preserve the original or to recreate it.
CyArk is a non-profit organisation, founded in 2003, which uses state-of-the-art laser scanning technology to compile highly detailed 3D representations of cultural heritage sites, so they can be recreated using 3D printing and modelling.
The use of replicas is an area of the attractions industry which looks set to grow significantly over the next few decades. There are many reasons for this in addition to natural disaster, war and wilful destruction: perhaps the items in question are in inaccessible locations, or they’re too fragile to handle being exposed to visitors, for example.
In France, the government has invested €56m (US$60m, £40.2m) recreating prehistoric cave paintings at the Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, a huge collection of paintings of horses, mammoths and rhinos which are among the oldest documented art on earth. The paintings, which are anything up to 37,000 years old, were discovered in 1994.
The project will enable people to experience the incredible cave art while keeping the delicate originals from harm.
Replication also allows more widespread access to cultural heritage when combined with touring rather than static exhibitions. Where a location is fascinating, with a widespread appeal, there will be opportunities to replicate it and take it on the road for guest appearances in museums’ temporary exhibition spaces.
In addition to being priceless in every sense, cultural heritage is of educational significance and a huge driver of tourism. The technology now exists to enable us to permanently capture the form of the most precious things on earth so they can be understood by future generations. We need organisations such as CyArk to step up the pace before more is destroyed.
Liz Terry, editor. Twitter:@elizterry
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2015 issue 2
Interview: Marty Sklar
Retired Disney Legend Marty Sklar
reveals the secrets of Imagineering,
the legacy of the 1964 World’s Fair
and the lessons he learned as
Walt Disney’s “keeper of the keys”
Talking Point: The $100 Barrier
As a Walt Disney World day ticket
enters three-digit territory for
the first time, we ask what this
means for pricing in the sector
Museums: Biomuseo
Panama has opened the world’s first
museum of biodiversity, an ambitious
building by architect Frank Gehry. We
meet the team behind the project
Expos: Food for Thought
Expo Milano 2015 launches in Italy,
aiming to bring the planet’s most
pressing problems to the fore, not least
how to provide food for everybody
Zoos & Aquariums: On the SAFE Side
AZA chair Dennis Pate explains a new
initiative designed to help endangered
animals, and offers some tips from
his world-class Henry Doorly zoo
Promotional feature: IDEATTACK
IDEATTACK is a creative maverick with a
new perspective, bringing custom-made
one-of-a-kind attractions typologies to
a world that needs something di�fferent
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the third part of our series, we look at
the enduring appeal of wooden coasters
Ticketing: Dream Tickets
Ticketing systems are advancing to
improve the guest’s experience and the
operator’s profit. We investigate the
sector’s current and upcoming trends
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
