The use of digital tools in the preservation of tomb sculptural art

Abstract

Cemeteries are spaces where it is possible to identify cultural elements of a society, which is expressed through the architecture of the tomb and the landscape. However, the distancing of people from these places makes them conducive to the action of vandals. Therefore, the necropolis needs to be included in cultural itineraries in the cities, as well as periodic maintenance and security programs in the tombs, chapels and mausoleums. Thus, this study presents two forms of cultural heritage preservation: the first is the identification of the main pathological manifestations that damage sculptures, with damage maps; the second is the survey of the physical characteristics of the pieces, in order to document their shapes, colors, textures and volume. For both proposals, two current digital tools were used: photogrammetry and laser scanning. The studied works are: Pietá (1929), by sculptor Galileo Emendabili, located at the Cemitério da Consolação in São Paulo, and Último adeus (1945), by Alfredo Oliani, at the Cemitério São Paulo. Autodesk software ReCap Photo and Trimble Trimble RealWorks were used to obtain three-dimensional models of sculptures. The use of these technologies was shown to require prior planning for data collection, mainly due to climate interference and the location of the pieces. The tools used were efficient for their formal characterization and can be used for their conceptual and material preservation.