ΠΡοηγμένο σύστημα συλλογής και διαχείρισης αναλυτικΩν δεδομένων για την ανοιχτή προς το κοινό ΤΕκμηρίωση, και συντήρηση ζωγρΑφικών έργων τέχνηΣ μεγάλων διαστάσεων (ΠΡΩΤΕΑΣ)

MIS 5069984

«Ανταγωνιστικότητα Επιχειρηματικότητα Καινοτομία 2014-2020» ΚΩΔΙΚΟΣ ΠΡΑΞΗΣ ΟΠΣ ΕΣΠΑ 

ΔΡΑΣΗ ΕΘΝΙΚΗΣ ΕΜΒΕΛΕΙΑΣ «ΕΡΕΥΝΩ-ΔΗΜΙΟΥΡΓΩ-ΚΑΙΝΟΤΟΜΩ Β’ ΚΥΚΛΟΣ»

The underlying idea of the PROTEAS project is to introduce the public to the work of the art conservator and, through this, in the materials and techniques employed, the historical context of a work of art as well as the message and the expression of the creator. Important for implementing this idea, is to establish an open communication channel between curators, conservators and researchers.
Modern technology supports this communication through

a) portable analytic devices

b) flexible robotic arrangements, and

c) advanced information systems that allow an integrated, innovative approach to documentation, management and presentation of the information gathered during the conservation of artwork.

In this context, the main objective of the project is the development of an Open-Access Workshop (OAW) within the premises of the National Gallery at Athens (NGA), where researchers from IESL-FORTH and INPP-NCSR Demokritos will install innovative analytical systems based on imaging and spectroscopic techniques which, via combined protocols for in-situ application, will integrate and upgrade the current documentation and conservation methodology used by NGA for the integrated study of paintings. The Institute of Computer Science (ICS) of FORTH will coordinate the project and, in collaboration with PRINTEC and Up2Metric, will develop the platform (mechanisms and integrated software) that will ensure a) a robust way to support safe and controlled positioning of the analytical devices at each point of the artwork ensuring reliable operation of the equipment and facilitating the presence of the operator/conservator and b) provide a user friendly acquisition, management and presentation of large amounts of information and data. The concept becomes particularly important in the case of very large paintings, which, to date, could not be studied with conventional protocols. It
is actually the study and conservation of "March 3, 1814", by C. Muller (4.45 × 8.45 sq. meters) an emblematic oil painting of the NGA collection that provides the inspiration and motivation for this research.

The main elements of innovation of OAW include:
• Portable prototype systems and methodology for studying and visualizing paintings in detail:
XRF (MA-XRF) Imaging, Fluorescence Spectroscopy (LED-LIF), Reflection Spectroscopy (FORS) and Short Wavelength Infrared (SWIR) Imaging.
• High precision devices for positioning the diagnostic instruments based on conventional low cost mechanics coupled to pioneering machine vision software. The system will permit simple, fast and safe access at each point of the artwork, while machine vision software will ensure reliable and reproducible positioning of the devices with respect to the points of interest and detection of the area where conservation interventions take place.
• A Semantic content information system and a digital knowledge platform based on international standards for the management of the data produced during all the stages of the scientific work.
• Internet hub, with multilingual interfaces to display and diffuse the IC's activities for a targeted audience, which will allow the conservator to update display and dissemination interfaces.

Overall, the PROTEAS project will produce a unified platform for the acquisition and management of analytical data and documentation of conservation interventions, interpretation and presentation of results. This platform will operate on the basis of openness being able to integrate new instruments and methodologies. The uniqueness of the OAW rests on the fact that it will be open to visitors, whether specialists or the general public, who will be able to follow the progress of the work in real time understanding the essentials of art conservation.

Thus, NGA will become a reference, the crossroad of technology and culture and the grounds where specialists/researchers/scientists can interact and communicate on aspects of diagnosis and conservation of works of art.

The Project «Conservation of Athens antiquities with Laser and Lidar technologies Open to Science and public» (CALLOS) operates in the frame of the Special Action “OPEN INNOVATION IN CULTURE” and is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and national resources through the Operational Program “Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship & Innovation” (NSRF -EPAnEK) (project code MIS- 5056208).

Coordinator of the Project is The Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens, while the “Photonics For Heritage Science” group of FORTH is responsible for its scientific supervision.
The Project duration is thirty-six (36) months.

C.A.L.L.O.S. aims at establishing an open-to-the-public conservation laboratory located in the center of the city of Athens at the premises of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Athens (EAA). This initiative, which deploys along the Restoration-Cooperation-Communication axes, envisages the development of a pioneering conservation workshop for the emblematic objects and monuments of the archaeological sites of Athens, equipped with innovative diagnostic and conservation methods and a digital repository for the effective handling and presentation of the produced data. Towards this end EAA is collaborating with the Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser of the Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (IESL-FORTH) and the Greek company Raymetrics SA. The consortium will perform targeted research towards the development of modern, portable and non-invasive methods and instruments for analysis, mapping and cleaning, based on advanced optical and laser technologies, while it will broadly communicate its work to the researchers and the public through the digital repository and the knowledge database.

The objectives of the project are:
(a) development of portable spectroscopic analytical and mapping instruments based on innovative, reliable, and non-destructive laser technologies (LIBS, LIF, Reflectance, and LIDAR) aiming at the elemental and molecular study of extraneous materials (encrustations and corrosion layers), as well as their classification and mapping along the surfaces of indoor and outdoor monuments.
b) development of a transportable laser cleaning system for the controlled and effective removal of deposits and encrustations. The process will be followed in real-time by means of innovative monitoring methodologies based on the processing of photoacoustic signals, while portable laser analytical instruments may be also attached to assess on-line the cleaning process.
(c) design of demonstration facilities accessible to the public (OpenLab).
(d) development of a digital repository for the documentation, archiving and management of the data acquired from the above-mentioned analytical techniques and a knowledge database open to the research community, the students and the public.
The developed methods and techniques are based on the need for reliable, fast, and non-destructive analysis and standardized procedures for the study and restoration of the indoor and outdoor Cultural Heritage monuments. This collaborative scheme guarantees that the EAA's OpenLab conservation laboratory will play a key role in the research, development, and implementation of new diagnostics and conservation technologies, while new conservation methodologies will be introduced to a number of different archaeological objects and surfaces.

These new methods can be effectively applied, without sampling, in-situ on the monument, or ex-situ, in the laboratory, thus reducing meaningfully complex and time-consuming procedures, while advancing and upgrading the conservation work of EAA. The effective handling of the produced analytical data and information into a digital repository and knowledge database is expected to boost the dissemination of results to the scientific community. Last but not least, this OpenLab is expected to significantly promote public awareness as regards cultural heritage study and restoration allowing a variable audience (students, families, scholars, people with disabilities, senior citizens) to get familiar with analytical and restoration processes. 
The proposed scheme is directly applicable, following a pre-defined three-year timetable. The consortium has the necessary experience in the fields of research, in which the project is being developed, namely implementation, education and communication. The project will be coordinated by EAA following a list of specific and well-defined work-packages.