Digital restoration and virtual enjoyment of the works of Giovanni Todisco from Abriola in museum communication projects

This paper describes the results obtained in two different projects for museum communication aimed at digital restoration and enjoyment at a distance of some artworks of Giovanni Todisco form Abriola. The first project was promoted in the year 2005 by the Municipality of Abriola (Potenza, Italy) and the Basento Camastra Local Action Group as part of the "Cammini d'Europa" project (Asse II Cooperazione transnazionale). It was conducted in collaboration with Officina Rambaldi, an international team of professionals headed by Carlo Rambaldi,Oscar winner for special effects. The objective of this study is basically museographical, i.e. to promote knowledge andvirtual exhibition of the works of two great artists of the 16th and 17th centuries, Giovanni and Girolamo Todisco daAbriola. The starting point of this knowledge itinerary is the Sanctuary of Monteforte, in Abriola, virtuallyreconstructed in 3D using image-based technologies with particular reference to photo-modelling which were integratedinto a navigation engine for Real Time 3D content. The overall management of the data on a web-based platformenables the distance viewing of works and places, including the Sanctuary and its geographical context. It also gives access to a pool of heterogeneous information (interactive spherical panoramas, texts, videos, Flash and Shockwaveanimation, etc.). The use of accurate 3D models enables highly realistic three-dimensional navigation, which is made even more convincing and engaging by the adoption of stereoscopic viewing systems. The project was officially presented to the public only in February 2011, demonstrating the continuing validity and communicative effectiveness of this by-now consolidated technology in terms of both communication and distance viewing of contexts of historicaland archaeological interest. The second project regarding the virtual reconstruction of the pictorial cycles located in the monastery of Santa Maria diOrsoleo in Sant'Arcangelo (Potenza) detached from their original context in 1973 for protection purpose. The extraordinary frescoes that were found along the walls of the cloister depict stories the life of the Virgin and Christ, allegorical scenes, episodes from the life of St. Francis and greatest triumphs of life and death. The virtual developmentis part of the project for conversion of the monastery in Scenographic Museum of the spirituality. The reconstruction process is aimed at re-contextualization of the frescoes through a three-dimensional restitution of cloister using image- based techniques and camera mapping texture mapping. The result has allowed us to view the complete cycles in theoriginal context, and the visitors to understand all the extraordinary expressive force of this artist, symbol of the Lucan Renaissance.