Cultural Digital newsletter #128
Cultural Digital
Hello
This week we have heavy metal (literally!), the implications of digitisation, and various virtual things.
Here's a bit of Motörhead, courtesy of Compressorhead.
Why digitisation isn't all that great
How Digital Archives Delete the Human Experience. "They were just one more thing flashing on my screen, called up and dispatched with no more effort than scrolling through Facebook. It was not a discovery, nor a journey, but another quick search by an algorithm. I felt nothing".
Digitization ≠ Repatriation: When Digital Humanities Provides Access But Not Restitution. "An examination of the Ethiopian cultural heritage held in the libraries and museums of Britain can perhaps demonstrate a seminal point about digitization and the digital humanities more broadly: Digital editions can never fully replace an analog object. No matter how many manuscripts we digitize and make available online or 3D scans we create of the Parthenon frieze, they are not a replacement for repatriation".
On the subject of digital collections, I just came across Samtla, which stands for Search And Mining Tools for Labelling Archives.
AI
Suggestive Drawing Among Human and Artificial Intelligences. "Hi there! My name is Nono Martínez Alonso. Let me tell you what Suggestive Drawing is all about". This is interesting and very nicely presented. Images from The Met's digital collection make an appearance too.
Neural Remake of "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley.
Mario Klingemann has been at it again.
Inside Singapore’s museum without walls. "The National Gallery is putting up virtual exhibitions and engaging visitors with AI".
Other things
Oculus is developing an immersive theater VR experience with real actors. "The central idea is to use trained actors who perform live while viewers interact with them from the comfort of their homes".
Reflecting on ‘Let’s Get Real 6’ — an unexpected digital journey. "Let’s Get Real has challenged many of my ways of both thinking and working and I’d like to share a few key reflections that I’ve made during the process".
Plenty of new virtual exhibits through Canadian Museum of History. "The Virtual Museum of Canada is funding 23 new online exhibits. The VMC invests in cutting-edge, immersive and community-focused digital projects initiated by museums and heritage organizations throughout the country. This year, exhibit topics range from music history in 'the 6ix,' to a pipeline dilemma in the 1970s, to the international 1990 Gay Games in Vancouver".
Mozilla Announces $225,000 for Art and Advocacy Exploring Artificial Intelligence. For "technologists and media makers who help the public understand how threats to a healthy internet affect their everyday lives".
A day in the life of... head of ecommerce at a fine art retailer. Namely Matt Lamb at Castle Galleries.
Jobs
There are digital-related jobs available at National Museums Scotland, the Geffrye Museum, Roundhouse, Southbank Centre, National Justice Centre, Museum of London and more.
Please share the stuff you like, and if someone's forwarded this to you then check out that enticing blue button below.
Until next week…
Chris Unitt
The Library is a treasure trove of arts/digital info. The latest update includes info on loads of Aus and NZ websites (who built them and which CMS they use). Find out more about The Library.