Conference “3D Digitization and diagnostic investigations: the Nobile Collegio del Cambio in Perugia” – Salone Internazionale del Restauro di Ferrara – Thursday, May 10 2023 at 10.30 am

The artistic heritage of Umbria will be under the national spotlight during the Salone Internazionale del Restauro (International Exhibition of Restoration) in Ferrara, in its twenty-eighth edition, full of new insights on sectors particularly affected by technological innovation and best practices in the protection of the artistic heritage.

Archimede Arte will take part as an exhibiting company and will curate the Conference “3D Digitization and diagnostic investigations: the Nobile Collegio del Cambio in Perugia”. The Salone del Restauro is the first and only event of the sector in Italy with international qualification, reaffirming its role as the reference point worldwide in the field of cultural heritage. Archimede Arte, a leading company in the field of 2D and 3D digitization, will take part in this important event by presenting – in Hall 3, stand D12 – its expertise and technology at the service of national and international public and private bodies, to offer the best solutions for the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage.

The Umbria Region will be the focus of attention through the conference on the theme of“3D digitization and diagnostic investigations: the Nobile Collegio del Cambio in Perugia”. An opportunity to talk (and promote) the work realized by Peruginoon the occasion of the five-hundredth anniversary of his death that occurr this year, not only presenting the scanner and photogrammetric reliefs of both buildings and works of art of the Nobile Collegio del Cambio, but also giving voice to the “lights and colors of the Umbrian Renaissance, from Perugino to Raphael, through diagnostic investigations on the matter and executive techniques”.. The realization of these two projects was possible thanks to the contribution of Fondazione Perugia, and the great patronage activities that this Authority constantly addresses to art and culture in the territory of Perugia The first project was carried out by Archimede Arte in 2020 for conservation purposes, digitizing and reproducing a perfect virtual three-dimensional copy of the wonderful architectural complex that is set in the Palazzo dei Priori in Perugia; the second one was carried out by the Diagnostic Laboratory of Spoleto (LabDia) during the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, with the additional support and contribution of the Committee promoting the celebrations for the fifth centenary of the death of Pietro Perugino, and concerned, in addition to the frescoes in the audience room of the Nobile Collegio del Cambio, another 29 on panel or on canvas paintings and frescoes, left by the Master in the Umbrian centers of Bettona, Cerqueto, Città della Pieve, Corciano, Deruta, Foligno, Fontignano, Montefalco, Monteleone d’Orvieto, Panicale, Perugia, Santa Maria degli Angeli, Spello and Trevi. This was an exceptional analysis and research activity aimed at the prevention and conservation of cultural heritage that, probably for the first time ever, took place in sequence over a short period of time and has led to the production of data and knowledge that can be considered an exceptional digital asset of the third millennium. These experiences could set an example, a format to be applied to other works, which – together with the consolidate experience of Archimede Arte in this sector – the Ministry of Culture could re-propose in other activities, as a set of expertise structured by Italian companies for conservation, protection and enhancement of the Italian artistic heritage, certainly one of the largest and most important in the world. Besides, Archimede Arte, with the support of SviluppUmbria, intends to export these kind of activities to other countries. Perhaps it is not a coincidence that the ideal scenario to realize these two very important and innovative projects happened right during the year of the celebrations dedicated to Perugino, one of the first Renaissance masters to set his workshops following an entrepreneurial logic.

Voices from Umbria. Aldo Pascucci, vice president of Archimede Arte,, will open the conference;after him, the contribution by Vittoria Garibaldi,, scientific director of the Diagnostic Laboratory (LabDia) for cultural heritage of Spoleto,one of the few Italian structures able to carry out on-site, non-invasive and multi-technical analysis on the state of conservation of works of art realized in different kind of materials, as well as analysis and evaluation of the environmental conditions of conservation and the interaction between the environment and the work of art. For the occasion, Marcello Melis, administrator of Profilocolore Srl, one of the leading expert companies in digital technologies for diagnostics, will illustrate new tools and digital technologies through which new and deeper results can be achieved. The conclusions of the conference will be entrusted to two representatives of Umbrian institutions: the mayor of Spoleto,, Andrea Sistiand the pro-rector vicar of the University of Perugia and CeDiPa Director, Fausto Elisei,who will illustrate how the prestigious bodies they represent have started the works for the establishment of one of the most important national hubs for the digitalization of cultural heritage: the Research Centre for innovation, digitalization, enhancement and fruition of the cultural and environmental heritage of Spoleto, made possible thanks to the contribution of the Ministry of Culture.