On behalf of the Openlucht Museum Arnhem, we have explored the possibilities of digitizing clogs. During times of restrictions, it can be difficult to access artifacts, such as clogs, which are carefully preserved in depots. We experienced this during Klompenlab #2, where we had access to an archive of photos of clogs, but could not view them in person.
We started the project with questions: What do clogs look like in the digital world? How are digital clogs worn and by whom? Soon we realized that there were important underlying questions. We understood that cultural heritage goes beyond mere preservation and exhibition. How can we easily access these rich sources inherited from our ancestors? In turn, we bear the responsibility to pass on this cultural heritage to future generations.
Can digitization play a role in making our cultural heritage more accessible? Can we create a Digital Twin of clogs by 3D scanning them? Where are the opportunities to elevate cultural heritage to public digital material that can be enlarged, reduced, edited, and combined? Is a clog a clog because it is made of wood, or can it also be 3D printed? What is the role of the craftsman in digitizing clogs? Is there a role for digitization in preserving intangible cultural heritage, such as the craft of making clogs? In short, how do we make heritage usable for the future? All designers have created their own interpretations of the 3D scanned clogs.
