At the open-source museum, Scan the World, visitors are encouraged to handle the most valued sculptures and artifacts from art history. With over 18,000 digital scans in its archive, the museum allows art lovers to download and 3D print their favorite works in a matter of hours.
Scan the World features electric versions of 'Bust of Nefertiti,' 'Fourth Gate of Vaubam Fortress,' and Michaelangelo's 'David,' among other notable artifacts. The digital archive is searchable by artist, location, and collection.
To provide visitors with thousands of additional pieces, the platform teamed up with Google Arts and Culture to include the works found at over 2,000 institutions. The museum is part of 'My Mini Factory,' which is the largest platform for 3D-printed objects. Works can be scanned using phone cameras or drones.
Image Credit: This is Colossal
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Digital Archiving
- Developing open-source digital archives of historical artifacts presents a disruptive opportunity for galleries and museums to enhance visitor access and engagement.
- 3D Printing
- The democratization of 3D printing through open-source archives and collaborative platforms revolutionizes the accessibility and distribution of art and artifacts.
- Virtual Museums
- The emergence of virtual museums and accessible digital archives provides opportunities for global audiences to experience art and history that were previously only available in a physical location.
Where This Applies
- Museums and Galleries
- Museums and galleries can leverage digital archiving, 3D printing, and virtual platforms to improve visitor engagement and accessibility.
- Art and Artifact Collecting
- Art and artifact collectors can benefit from open-source digital archives, as it can increase the accessibility and impact of their collections.
- Education and Research
- Academics, students, and researchers can utilize digital archives to conduct more comprehensive and immersive studies of art and history.
