Crowdsourced heritage preservation scheme Project Mosul goes global
Project Mosul – a heritage preservation and restoration project that initially focused on the Mosul Museum in Iraq – has been rechristened Rekrei after the team behind the crowdsourcing scheme took their efforts to a global level.
The former Project Mosul, co-founded by Matthew Vincent, Chance Coughenour and Marinos Ioannides of the Initial Training Network for Digital Cultural Heritage (ITN-DCH), was created in February 2015 as a response to the destruction of cultural heritage by ISIS – specifically Mosul Museum.
Employing a web platform and masking software that allows for a 3D virtual reconstruction of destroyed artefacts and sites, the project uses crowd-sourced images to virtually recreate artefacts as 3D objects using the latest in photogrammetry techniques. These 3D representations are then presented in an online museum freely accessible to the public, though more recently the technology has been used more practically, creating a virtual map to aid in reconstruction of destroyed sites.
“Destruction of cultural heritage is nothing new,” said Matthew Vincent speaking at CyArk’s annual summit. “We have the burning of Mayan sites back in the 16th century as an example and before that there were all kinds of destruction of heritage aimed at trying to remove certain ideologies.
“When we started this we were thinking only of the Mosul Museum and focusing strictly on that site. But then the earthquake in Nepal and the loss of many that we saw made us think ‘what we’ve created for Mosul will also work here’. With the help of one of our partners we created a massive reconstruction of Kathmandu Durbar Square both before and after the destruction.”
Using crowdsourcing as the main tool to help gather images needed for digital reconstructions, Vincent said that the media plays a crucial role in the project and is directly tied to its success.
“Whenever a site is mentioned we find that people come to it, the media reaches out to us and then people get excited, which gives us more photos and that helps the reconstruction,” he said. “It’s a cycle that is dependant on having that connection with the public, which helps us to thrive.”
Now known as Rekrei, Vincent explained the meaning behind the new name.
“Project Mosul has very specific connotations,” he said. “When people hear about it they assume it’s focused only in the area of Mosul. But now our project has gone global it’s not just Mosul, it’s not just Iraq, it’s not just Syria, not just Nepal, it really could be anywhere. We’re excited to introduce this new name for our project and from here we’ll be known as Rekrei – an esperanto word that means ‘to recreate’.”
CyArk summit brings heritage minds together to combat destruction
Microsoft HoloLens will have 'major implications' for architecture and design
Former UNESCO director calls on governments to prevent heritage desolation by ISIS
Heritage professionals gather in Berlin for CyArk summit
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
The Isola delle Rose has a rich history and an enviable location. Matteo Thun knew he had to capitalise on both with the design of the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa