Weaves and Treasures: Bridging the Past and Future Through Accessible Digital Preservation
In the first of our DCCH Internship blog posts, Maia Hutton Mackay and Harith Ibrahim reflect on their project, using the International Image Interoperability Format (IIIF) to engage differently with Heritage Collections, as part of the Digital Library Infrastructure Project.
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In an era where our cultural heritage is increasingly digital, the importance of preserving these assets cannot be overstated. Digital preservation is not just about safeguarding data; it's about maintaining our connection to history, learning from our past, and ensuring that future generations can access and appreciate the rich tapestry of human culture. At the University of Leeds, we're taking innovative steps to make this preservation not only possible but accessible to all.
The IIIF Team
We're Maia and Harith, we are passionate about preserving history through technology. Maia, with her background in humanities and culture, brings a deep appreciation for textiles and fashion. Harith, a robotics engineer, contributes his expertise in digital graphics and programming.
Our Mission: Accessibility and Preservation
Our internship project focused on digitising collections from the university's archives and Special Collections. But we didn't stop at mere digitisation. Our goal was to make these materials more accessible, not just in terms of global access through the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) but also by providing innovative ways for people with visual impairments to experience the collection.
The University of Leeds Archive: A Treasure Trove
Interior of the Brotherton Library, University of Leeds. Image Credit: University of Leeds
The University of Leeds boasts a vast historical archive that spans items, recordings, textiles, coins, books, and more from British heritage and many other cultures. By digitising this collection, we're opening up a world of opportunities for lecturers, researchers, and students globally to view and learn about these treasures more easily.
Ancient Coins: Bringing History to Life
One of the most exciting aspects of our project was working with the university's extensive collection of ancient coins. We explored various 3D scanning methods, including photogrammetry, LiDAR, and even cutting-edge techniques like NeRFs and Gaussian Splats.
Scanned coin post-processed using different software applications. (Image Credit: Harith Ibrahim)
Ultimately, we settled on a unique approach: Photometric Stereo. This established technique got a new lease on life as we adapted it within a modern software and toolset. The result: faster scanning that maximises captured surface detail with minimal images. These 3D models will be displayed online using IIIF, allowing researchers to study the coins' manufacturing techniques and material composition without physical access to the archive.
Final Coin Scan using only 4 images. (Image Credit: Harith Ibrahim)
Textile Patterns: A Symphony of Sight and Sound
The University of Leeds' multicultural textile collection presented us with a unique challenge: how could we make these intricate patterns accessible to those with visual impairments?
Inspired by cymatics patterns — visual representations of sound frequencies — we developed a method to transform patterned fabrics into audible frequencies. This approach allows people to experience the patterns through sound, creating a multi-sensory representation of the textiles.
Our journey to achieve this goal involved extensive research and experimentation. We explored various methods of converting patterns into sounds, including reversing the process of spectrograms, which are images that show how the frequencies of a sound change over time. The relationship between sound and visual patterns in nature fascinated us, particularly Chladni patterns formed by standing waves. This natural phenomenon became the foundation for our translation of visual patterns into sound. We have created a YouTube video of the different sounds generated for different weave patterns using reverse-spectograms: click here to access the video.
Currently, we are utilizing physics simulations to map different cymatics patterns to various weave structures. This process creates distinct sounds for each pattern. The research has been very promising so far, bringing us closer to our goal of making archive fabrics accessible through auditory experiences.
L: Chaladni Patterns (Image Credit: Harith Ibrahim).
R: Example of textile weave patterns (Image Credit: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2012.12.043)
By bridging the gap between visual and auditory senses, we hope to discover new ways for people with visual impairments to appreciate and engage with the rich textile heritage. Our ongoing work is dedicated to refining methods for experiencing textile patterns beyond visual perception, opening new avenues for sensory engagement.
Global Recognition and Future Prospects
Recently, Maia presented our work on digitising textile patterns into sounds at the IIIF conference in California, USA. The presentation was well-received, providing us with valuable insights and connections within the field. We're eagerly looking forward to the next conference, which will take place in Leeds next year.
Maia Hutton Mackay presents at the 2023 IIIF Conference in Los Angeles. (Image Credit: Maia Hutton Mackay)
Conclusion: A Fusion of Disciplines
Our internship with the Digital Creativity and Cultures Hub and the Digital Library Infrastructure Project has been an eye-opening experience. It has allowed us to explore the significance of historical artefacts, their properties, and manufacturing techniques while applying modern scientific and computational methods for long-term preservation.
By combining our diverse backgrounds, we've developed innovative solutions that make our cultural heritage more accessible and engaging for everyone. As we continue this journey, we're excited about the possibilities that lie ahead in the realm of digital preservation and accessibility.