Data System for the Camposanto Monumentale of Pisa.

C. Baracchini, A. Brogi, D. Merlitti
Opera della Primaziale Pisana, p.zza del Duomo 17 – Pisa
laboratorio@opapisa.it

Abstract

Multimedia Database gathering the historical-preservative documentation of the monumental complex, including a digital reconstruction achieved through a computerized solid modelling of the building and its fittings.

Figure 1: Rendering of repositioning project of frescoes.

Figure 2 : Rendering of "Chiostro"

Figure 3 : Interactive navigation of Nord corridor

Figure 4: Exploration mode of Sud corridor.

Figure 5: Archivistic source founded by 3D exploration.

Figure 6: Archivistic source (Search 3D object)

Figure 7: Automatich searching of  the 3D object on the Nord corridor.

1. Introduction

“Proposing a Camposanto devoid of those great wall decoration cycles which, right from its very origin, had conferred it its main meaning and function, deprived of the Roman sarcophagi which had first entered it in the XIV century and had been later on turned into some renowned citizens’ sepulchres, or even despoiled of all those sepulchral monuments which had contributed to make a Temple of Fame out of it, a sort of Pantheon for national memories, would be like yielding to expound an incoherent as well as incomplete text: in short, an unintelligible one”. 

2. The restoration project.

The restoration project of such a complex and historically relevant building as this, which includes so wide a range of different artistic styles, definitely needed a deep and accurate preparatory study. Since the end of the 90s - in accordance with the advisory commission created by the Opera del Duomo and following those experiences and studies on the frescoes which, since the 70s, had been carried on through tests, researches and preliminary studies for the restoration of the sinopie - the Superintendence started a research project aiming to define the most suitable techniques to restore the entire building.

3. Multimedia DataBase and  interaction with treedimensianal reconstruction of  building.

The studies, projects and then the restoration works themselves produced a multitude of data which could only be interpreted with the help of a computer. This is why an object-oriented Multimedia Database has been designed which can interact with a 3D model of the Camposanto Monumentale, initially conceived to check the repositioning of the frescoes removed from the walls during the war, but able to interact as well with the three-dimensional representation of all the objects in there using the VRML format. 
The link between the building three-dimensional model - which can be navigated in true time - and the Database is achieved through a server created on purpose; this server, named Sql-WWW multithread, reaches the DB suitably formatting its data in a HTML format. The user can get all information concerning the works of art through both hypertextual links and a dynamic query of the server. This enables him to go on a three-dimensional tour of the building, stand in front of the frescoes painted on the walls and see the numerous monuments on display in the galleries. Each of the images arranged in this space can be selected to get the relating documentation on it contained in the DB: archivistic sources (about 10.000 documents), bibliographic sources, ichonographic sources, cards of all the works of art which were gathered following type criteria (sepulchral monuments, wall paintings, tombstones and archaeological remains); restoration cards including the results of the diagnostic studies, chemical-physical researches and survey of both the environmental macro and micro parameters, three-dimensional models of the monuments and archaeological remains. It was therefore possible to use the model not only as an interface to get the access to the Database but also as a system to spacially contextualize the numerous monuments and sarcophagi which have been present inside the building in time (all through 1800 the Camposanto Monumentale held the function of a true museum, used to display the sacred objects collected from various churches scattered throughout the Pisan area). In order to achieve this specific aim we developed the system functionalities so as to make the Database-3D model link a dynamic one. As a proof of the many transformations marking the history of this monumental complex, the Information System has been designed to dynamically display - on the user’s request - the building settlement in its different historical moments, repositioning each work of art in the exact position it had held through the centuries. The range of research and study possibilities has been therefore remarkably widened, the user being actually able to get the control of the monumental complex as a whole, from the building complex structure to the detail of the objects whose presence enriched it in time.

4. The Interactive Information System.

The new character of our project definitely allows a wider use of the system, which will turn from a mere tool designed for professionals of restoration works only to a true ready-to-use Interactive Information System for anyone happening to visit the Piazza. In order to involve in this project as many laypersons as possible, virtual touristic routes are being carefully studied, paying special attention to their interaction with the system; this with the double aim of simplifying its use and making the multiprojectional navigation possible by using different kinds of control systems. To be able to manage such a remarkable amount of geometric-informative data as well as to allow the greatest freedom in the definition of the user’s interface, software libraries have been used which were developed at the PERCRO laboratory of the S.Anna Secondary School of Pisa for the part concerning the interactive visualization of Virtual Environments at high complexity degree. In fact, due to the richness of architecture styles and frescoes included in it, the Camposanto Monumentale model arises technical difficulties linked to the ways of dealing with the information which can only be solved by using specific data management methods. Thanks to the graphic Database advanced management, the software in question is able to make the best out of the calculation resources at the user’s disposal, allowing him a visualisation in true time of the monument even in case he’s using hardwares of a medium-low range.
A series of information areas will, in fact, be set up within the Square main buildings (Museo dell’Opera, Museo delle Sinopie, Camposanto Monumentale, Opera della Primaziale), which will be linked to a network through optical fibre and able to get the access to the above mentioned huge Database. It will be possible, then, to create special guided reading paths linked to different study levels according to the user’s needs, as well as to use the three-dimensional graphics as the system for the visualisation and management of the information.

The project, in the form of a prototype, took already part to the following demonstrations:  

VI Week of Scientific Culture
(Pisa - March 25/31, 1997) Didactic knowledge between divulgation and didactics
(Rome - April 14/24, 1997) New technologies for a knowledge of the Cultural Patrimony

Forum of the Boards
(Rome - May 6/10, 1997)

Mediartech ‘98 - Multimedia national festival
(Florence, Fortezza da Basso - March 26/29, 1998)

Monumedia 1998 - European Festival on Multimedia and the Cultural Patrimony
(Naples, Villa Pignatelli - May 28/31, 1998)

Image ‘98 - Architecture on the move
(Florence, Museo Pecci, Prato - December 9/13, 1998)

IT-VRML - National meeting on VRML and Virtual Reality on the Internet
(Milan, CNR - May 28, 1999)

XXXIX Incontri di Sorrento del cinema e dell'Audiovisivo  
Sintesy: Windows on the italian digital image
(Sorrento, October 11/16,  1999)
Eurographics 99 - Bringing to new life our Cultural Eritage.
(Milan, University of Milano - 7/11 September 1999)
Laval Virtual - 3° International exhibition of Virtual Reality 

Laval Virtual Trophees - Special mention into section "Art and Culture"
(Laval - May 20/24,  2001)
Annency International Festival of Animation Movie.
Seminaires ARENOTHEC "The new landscape of image"
(Annency, June 6, 2001)The new landscape of image”. (Annecy – 6 June)

Pisa, June 12, 2001