The world of art is a vibrant and ever-evolving canvas, where creative minds push the boundaries of expression through a diverse array of techniques and mediums. At the heart of this dynamic landscape lies a critical discipline – Heritage Science, which harnesses the power of interdisciplinary research to unlock the secrets of our artistic past and pave the way for innovative conservation solutions.
Enter INFRAART, a pioneering initiative that has set its sights on revolutionizing the way we approach the preservation and study of our cultural heritage. This ambitious program, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe initiative, brings together an international consortium of researchers, conservators, and cultural institutions, all united in their quest to safeguard the artistic treasures of the past for generations to come.
The Changing Tides of Open Science
The INFRAART project is born out of the growing momentum of the Open Science movement, a transformative paradigm that challenges the traditional proprietary nature of scientific endeavors. In this new era, knowledge creation and dissemination are increasingly embracing the principles of collaboration, transparency, and inclusivity. As the European Commission noted in its 2012 recommendations, “conservation and access to scientific information” are now at the forefront of research priorities, with national funding bodies and international programs actively promoting open data and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data practices.
The Heritage Science community, with its interdisciplinary nature and diverse array of technological and scientific methods, has much to gain from this shift towards Open Science. However, the field also faces unique challenges in implementing these principles, as the historical and cultural contexts of the materials under study are just as significant as the analytical techniques employed.
As the team at the Heritage Laboratory of the Swedish National Heritage Board discovered, the FAIR data principles, while a solid foundation, do not always provide the practical guidance needed by researchers on the ground. Through a series of workshops and case studies, they identified key issues and developed tailored solutions to help individual specialists and smaller laboratories navigate the complexities of FAIR data implementation.
Bridging the Gap: From Collections to Cutting-Edge Research
One of the primary goals of the INFRAART project is to bridge the divide between collection management and academic research. By fostering close collaborations between custodians of cultural heritage and the scientific community, the initiative aims to create a seamless flow of knowledge and data that benefits both parties.
“The FAIR principles can help generate benefits beyond just making research data accessible,” explains Åsa M. Larsson, a researcher involved in the project. “They can also strengthen the connections between those who care for the collections and those who study them, ultimately leading to more impactful and well-rounded research.”
This symbiotic relationship is exemplified in the work of the Heritage Laboratory, which regularly hosts external guest researchers alongside its staff scientists. Together, they employ a wide range of analytical and experimental methods to study the materials and properties of cultural heritage objects, from minute samples to comprehensive investigations of entire collections and sites.
“Projects at the Heritage Laboratory are usually run in collaboration with stakeholders from both the private and public sectors, including museums, universities, libraries, and other custodians of cultural heritage,” says Barbro Bornsäter, another researcher on the team. “This interdisciplinary approach is crucial to ensuring that the data generated not only meets the highest scientific standards but also addresses the real-world needs of those responsible for preserving our artistic legacy.”
Navigating the Challenges of Interdisciplinary Research
While the benefits of the INFRAART initiative are clear, the path to implementation is not without its challenges. The very nature of Heritage Science, with its reliance on a vast array of technological and scientific methods, can create obstacles when it comes to ensuring the findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability of research data.
“Historical and cultural contexts are as significant as the methods and material properties, which is something the scientific templates for research data management rarely take into account,” says Marei Hacke, a conservator and material scientist involved in the project. “This means that successful implementation of FAIR data principles requires adjustments to the very process of doing research, as well as guides grounded in the specific communities of practice.”
One such challenge is the lack of user-friendly controlled vocabularies that adequately reflect the breadth and depth of human histories and cultures. As the team at the Heritage Laboratory discovered, many of the existing vocabularies are dominated by terminologies and perspectives that reflect the Western cultural canon, potentially recreating historical structural inequalities in the digital present.
“If Heritage Science as a global field of study is to reach its full potential, this imbalance might want to be addressed,” Larsson emphasizes. “Finding ways to incorporate diverse cultural and geographical perspectives into our data management practices is crucial for ensuring that the stories of all peoples are heard and preserved.”
Forging a Path Towards a More Inclusive Future
The INFRAART project is not just about developing technical solutions for FAIR data implementation; it is about fundamentally reshaping the way we approach the preservation and study of our cultural heritage. By embracing the principles of Open Science and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the initiative aims to create a more inclusive, transparent, and impactful field of Heritage Science.
“It’s not enough to simply comply with funder requirements or implement the latest software,” Bornsäter explains. “True success in this endeavor requires a shift in mindset, where researchers and custodians of cultural heritage work together to redefine the very way we create, manage, and share knowledge.”
Through the development of practical guides, tailored vocabularies, and collaborative workshops, the INFRAART team is empowering individual researchers and smaller laboratories to take an active role in shaping the future of Heritage Science. By breaking down traditional silos and embracing a more holistic, community-driven approach, they hope to inspire a new generation of artists, conservators, and scientists to join the quest for innovative solutions that will safeguard our cultural treasures for centuries to come.
As the INFRAART project continues to unfold, its impact will be felt far beyond the walls of academic institutions and museums. By demonstrating the power of interdisciplinary research and the transformative potential of Open Science, the initiative is paving the way for a more inclusive, collaborative, and impactful future for the study and preservation of our artistic heritage.
Tip: Practice daily sketching to continually refine your technique