Nationalmuseum in Stockholm by Hans Thorwid/NationalmuseumScan The World
The Nationalmuseum, situated in the heart of Sweden’s capital Stockholm, boasts a vast collection of heritage gathered not just from the nation, but featuring important artworks from across the globe.
With an impressively vast range of unique objects and artworks in their collection, as well as the expert care every artefact is given, the museum receives a lot of international visitors and attention. This attention includes Scan the World, who has worked in collaboration with the museum to help in their mission to liberate their collection into the public domain.
Interior from Nationalmuseum by Anna Danielssom/NationalmuseumScan The World
Cultural institutions aren’t always easily accessed in the physical. This can be because of a range of external circumstances, whether it be geographical, political, temporary exhibitions or others matters which limit admission to cultural heritage institutions. By digitising museum artefacts in 3D we are able to liberate them by bringing collections beyond the limits of a museum’s walls and into your hands.
So how can we make global heritage more accessible to everybody? The internet is a good place to start. Scan The World’s collaborations with museums and constant support from its community has helped pave the way to grant the public access to objects from across the globe in a tangible way, from the comfort of your own home.
Interior from Nationalmuseum by Linn Ahlgren/NationalmuseumScan The World
Access to The Nationalmuseum
The Nationalmuseum and Scan the World work to the values of the OpenGLAM movement. OpenGLAM is an initiative that carries an ultimate goal of liberating accessibility to cultural heritage sites for everybody. These heritage sites are comprised of galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM). Through the liberation and digitalization of culture, we are able to enjoy artefacts from the Nationalmuseum and beyond.
The Sculpture Courtyard by Anna Danielsson/NationalmuseumScan The World
Over the course of two weeks, we worked closely with the museum's photographers, conservators and directors to ensure every accessible object was digitised to an appropriate quality. The objects were selected to give a broad range of context to the museum's collection, as well as providing the community access to artefacts that break from a typical sculptural mold. Internal staff were invited to learn about the 3D imaging technology we use to scan the objects, and external visitors were allowed to see how new technologies are being used in harmony with the museum's workings.
“Nationalmuseum is a government authority with a mandate to preserve cultural heritage and promote art, interest in art and knowledge of art.”
Nationalmuseum
Interior from Nationalmuseum by Anna Danielssom/NationalmuseumScan The World
“Nationalmuseum’s mandate has three pillars: to preserve, make accessible and help build knowledge. Our activities are also intended to put social development in perspective and make us a player in contemporary society.”
Nationalmuseum
With many museums researching their focus to develop their online collections, the Nationalmuseum is a pioneer in featuring a user-friendly online-tour of certain exhibitions. This contemporary tool is a fantastic method to access sculptures and paintings more interactively. For even further interactive engagement with the cultural artefacts of the Nationalmuseum, you can visit their profile on MyMiniFactory to download STL files (for free) and 3D print them to enjoy in your own home.
How Does OpenGLAM Liberate Culture?
The Nationalmuseum and Scan the World work to the values of the OpenGLAM movement. OpenGLAM is an initiative that carries an ultimate goal of liberating accessibility to cultural heritage sites for everybody. These heritage sites are comprised of galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM). Through the liberation and digitalization of culture, we are able to enjoy artefacts from the Nationalmuseum and beyond.
Visit the Nationalmuseum’s Scan The World profile on MyMiniFactory to see and print 3D scans of some of the artefacts that the museum has to offer!
Models used, download for free below:
Juno with the Infant Hercules (CC0)
Neapolitan Fisherman (CC0)
Bacchus (CC0)
Neptune (CC0)
Apollo Kitharoidos (CC0)
Visit The Nationalmuseum on MyMiniFactory