Multifunctional Encoding System for Assessment of Movable Cultural Heritage (MultiEncode)

Multifunctional Encoding System for Assessment of Movable Cultural
    Heritage (MultiEncode)
Symposium and Demonstration at Tate
February 25, 2009

On Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at Tate Modern, the results of the
EU-funded MultiEncode project will be presented to a wide audience,
including conservation scientists, conservators, and other museum
professionals. The MultiEncode instrument comprises three
complementary detection systems, all of which use a common laser
source, share optical components, and are operated using a single
software package: photorefractive dynamic holography, developed by
Centre Spatial de Liege (CSL); digital speckle holographic
interferometry, developed by Institute of Electronic Structure and
Laser (IESL-FORTH); and shearography, developed by Institut fur
Technische Optik (ITO).  The remaining members of the MultiEncode
consortium are Optrion s.a., who has been responsible for prototype
development, and two museum end-users, the National Gallery of
Athens and Tate.

The optical methods employed by MultiEncode allow conservators to
identify defects and characteristic features-cracks, delaminations,
and voids-in works of art.  Taken together, these three techniques
provide an object's "defect signature", which can then be used to
verify its authenticity in cases of fraud or theft.  In addition, by
monitoring changes in the holograms and/or shearograms of objects as
a function of time, Tate hopes to glean information regarding
deterioration as a result of handling and transport.  The response
of objects to temperature and/or relative humidity changes can also
be tracked in this manner.

The meeting will consist of two sessions.  In the morning session,
developers from each partner institution will discuss the scientific
basis of the three detection systems employed and their potential
applications in the museum environment.  In the afternoon session,
the instrument prototype will be demonstrated using a range of
paintings. Registration is free and lunch will be provided. If you
wish to attend, please contact

    Nicola Heald <nicola.heald<-at->tate<.>org<.>uk>

by 18 February, 2009 to provide us with a contact email address and
confirmation of attendance. The Programme and any further details
will be emailed closer to the event.

The MultiEncode project has been funded by the European Commission
6th Framework Programme.  For more information, please visit the
project website at

    <URL:http://www.iesl.forth.gr/projects/multiencode/index.html>

For more information regarding Tate's role in the project, please
visit

    <URL:http://www.tate.org.uk/
        research/tateresearch/majorprojects/multiencode.htm>

    **** Moderator's comments: The above URL has been wrapped for
    email. There should be no newline.

If there are any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Nicola Heald
Conservation Administrator
Tate
Millbank
London SW1P 4RG
+44 20 7887 8075


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 22:46
                 Distributed: Friday, February 13, 2009
                       Message Id: cdl-22-46-013
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