Kevin Wang, Press Corps 6
SMITHSONIAN BOARD OF REGENTS, Contemporary Crisis — The Smithsonian Institution, one of the world's largest museums and research complexes, is reexamining its policies as part of a broader effort to address the harms caused by repatriation.
Repatriation, the process of returning cultural artifacts to their country or community of origin, has become a hotly debated issue in the museum world.
On one hand, repatriation is seen as a way to right historical wrongs and to restore dignity and sovereignty to the communities that have had their cultural heritage taken away from them. On the other hand, repatriation can harm the museum experience by depriving visitors of the opportunity to learn about and appreciate diverse cultures.
The Smithsonian, which houses more than 155 million artifacts and works of art, has made a firm commitment to returning cultural artifacts to their original homes. For example, in 1989, the Smithsonian established the National Museum of the American Indian Act, which requires the Smithsonian to return, upon request, any Native American objects of cultural significance to their tribes of origin.
In response to recent arguments about the damaging effects of repatriation on the museum viewer’s experience, a group formed from the Smithsonian Board of Regents proposes a novel, technological solution. The group includes Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Vice Chair Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, and Leila Amineddoleh of Amineddoleh and Associates, a consulting firm which helps museums and collectors authenticate and ethically procure their art.
This esteemed group wants to create the Smithsonian Accessibility Program (SAP) with the principal goal to empower and enable all citizens of America to appreciate the diverse cultures of the world. Summarizing their mission, Senator Cortez Masto says, “The United States wants to emphasize the power of the Smithsonian to the entire world and wants to support local museums and so we can further the American culture and people.”
Core to their mission is the Digital Categorization of Art (DCOA) subcommittee, which aims to digitize all of the artifacts of the Smithsonian. They have developed augmented reality (AR) technology to convert 3D objects into digital snapshots with Unreal Engine, a high fidelity visualization software. The initiative aims to use cutting-edge technology to render 3D models of their artifacts, allowing people from around the world to experience the Smithsonian's vast collection like never before.
The use of AR technology will allow people to interact with the Smithsonian's artifacts in a whole new way. Users will be able to view the artifacts from all angles, zoom in for a closer look, and even manipulate them in real time. This technology will provide a level of interactivity and engagement that is not possible with traditional museum exhibits.
The Smithsonian's new initiative is expected to take several years to complete, as the institution has an enormous collection to digitize. However, the effort is seen as a crucial step in making the institution's collection more accessible to the public, particularly during the ongoing pandemic.
Now, the museum can repatriate artifacts effectively without losing the allure of the museum experience. The Smithsonian's new initiative is a testament to the institution's commitment to innovation and to making its collection more accessible to people around the world. As the project progresses, it is sure to transform the way people interact with museums and cultural institutions.