Blessing Hancock’s As One sculpture, as represented in PAD’s award-winning XR public art project (left), with Cultural Division staff member, India Johnson (right), assisting a young participant to experience the project through a VR headset.
Broward County’s Public Art & Design Program
Digital Archiving & Conservation
Broward County’s Resilient Environment Division works with our PAD team to fly drones to document our public art. Gaussian splatting is then used to create interactive 3D models on the Poly.cam platform (such as this image taken from a 3D model of our large-scale public artwork, Accordant Zones). These images and models assist in assessing the condition of our public art, and by extension, aid in our ongoing maintenance and conservation efforts.
In the realm of conservation, digital technologies have opened up innovative pathways for preserving artworks. Digital conservation involves the use of 3D scanning, high-resolution photography, and other imaging technologies to create virtual records of the artwork’s current state. This documentation allows conservators to monitor changes over time and assess damage before physical intervention is necessary. Additionally, digital archives can provide a historical record, offering a reference for future conservation work and even enabling virtual representation of deaccessioned artworks in cases where physical restoration is not feasible. These digital techniques also allow for understanding an artwork’s structure, materials, and techniques.
The emergence of Extended Reality (XR) and other digital platforms has introduced further opportunities for public art archiving in entirely new ways. PAD’s XR portal lets people interact with a selection of Broward’s key public art landmarks virtually. It is the world’s first Public Art Collection to be represented this way and provides a space for our collection to exist independently of its physical location. These precise 3D models allow users to engage with and experience our public art collection in a novel way.
Through immersive virtual walkthroughs, users can explore digital replicas of public art in real-time, moving around and through the sculptures or installations as if they were there. These models create interactive and engaging virtual public art experiences and make our collection more accessible globally.
Gaussian splatting is providing new ways to experience and preserve our public art by creating highly realistic, real-time interactive 3D models from a collection of images. This method allows for detailed capture of intricate textures and reflections that traditional methods struggle with, leading to more accurate digital preservation and engaging virtual experiences for a global audience. Platforms like Polycam simplify the process of capturing and sharing these models, making this advanced conservation tool accessible to a wider range of users, including the public, for viewing and education.
Our Public Art & Design Program is now working with the county’s Resilient Environment team to document our public art collection and archive our public art at a precise scale. High-fidelity detail: The technique captures high-fidelity detail to accurately capture intricate carvings and weathering, providing a level of detail and realism that is not possible with traditional methods like static photos or simplified 3D models. Unlike older technologies that require loading static viewpoints, Gaussian splatting enables smooth, high-frame-rate exploration of the digital model.