Cultural Heritage Digitization And Preservation Workshop
Cultural Heritage Digitization And Preservation Workshop
Museum Pasifika, Nusa Dua, Bali Museum Pasifika in Bali is a unique Asia-Pacific art museum that brings together more than 600 artworks from over 200 artists across 25 countries, showcasing the cultural richness of Southeast Asia, Oceania, and beyond. The museum was founded in 2006 by Moetaryanto P and Philippe Augier, and designed by Popo Dane. Its thematic galleries highlight cross-cultural encounters between Indonesian, Asia-Pacific, and European artists, making it a vital institution for preserving regional heritage, promoting cultural dialogue, and offering a rare comparative perspective on art history. As one of the only museums of its kind in Southeast Asia, it plays an essential role in research, education, and the long-term conservation of Asia-Pacific visual identity. The museum also houses works by Raden Saleh (1811–1880), a pioneering Indonesian painter often described as the first ‘modern’ Indonesian artist. Impact and Findings The workshop provided a significant opportunity to engage with museum professionals and university staff from across Bali and Indonesia, with representation from 17 museums and 6 universities The intensive program focused on responsible, contextual, and accessible approaches to heritage digitisation. Through discussions on ethics, AI, storytelling, and digital curation—paired with hands-on practice using low-cost 3D scanning—the workshop demonstrated how digital tools can support preservation, strengthen community engagement, and enhance educational outreach.
Positive Impacts
Strengthened regional capacity by bringing together 17 museums and 6 universities for shared learning. Enhanced understanding of ethics and AI in heritage digitisation, promoting responsible cultural stewardship. Introduced storytelling frameworks for more compelling interpretation, labels, and digital narratives. Demonstrated low-cost 3D scanning techniques, making high-quality digitisation more accessible. Highlighted the potential of 3D digital twins for condition assessment, relocation, loans, and long-term preservation. Provided adaptable methods for student engagement, encouraging more creative and interactive learning activities. Supported cross-institution collaboration and peer problem-solving, especially around context-specific museum challenges.
Contextual & Systemic Insights
Identified major constraints: limited funding, technology access, and trained staff. Recognised competition with international collectors, affecting preservation and ownership. Emphasised the need to adapt international conservation standards to tropical climates to avoid accidental damage. Highlighted everyday operational challenges unique to Bali, such as monkey interactions, lizards entering galleries, and environmental vulnerabilities.
Long-Term Sustainability Impacts
Demonstrated that digitisation can go beyond preservation to support education, storytelling, and community engagement. Encouraged long-term collaboration among museums and universities for locally relevant digital strategies. Reinforced the importance of contextual, culturally sensitive approaches to heritage digitisation across Southeast Asia.
Documented by Ondris Pui, Project Manager, Amuzeo.org
