The Veronica Scanner: Live 3D Portraiture

Throughout October half-term, Waddesdon Manor will present an exhibition and live experiment in 3D portraiture showcasing a bespoke scanner, the latest photogrammetry techniques, digital 3D modelling, robot carving and 3D printing technologies. Visitors will find the Veronica Scanner displayed alongside sculptures created by the scanner with interpretation tracing the development and possibilities of photography as a tool for sculpture, in the Coach House Gallery between 22–30 October 2016. During this experiment, visitors will not only be able to watch as members of the public are scanned, processed, printed and carved into three-dimensional portrait busts in real time, but they will also have the opportunity to book a place to have their own digital portrait scan taken by the innovative Veronica Scanner. This ultimate snapshot will take just four seconds and visitors will be sent a digital file of their head within a few days. With this data, visitors can 3D print their busts or rematerialize them in wax, plaster, alabaster, lead glass or even gilded bronze. Visitors to the exhibition and experiment will be able to watch as the scanner’s eight cameras capture 96 high-resolution photographs mapping the fine surface detail of a human head from every angle. These 2D images will then be processed into 3D digital models, uploaded to an online virtual gallery in the exhibition and re-materialised as a physical busts. Wooden busts will be carved in front of visitors’ eyes by a highly specialised robot and a group of 3D printers will also print busts in real time. Waddesdon is celebrating the art of 3D photogrammetry in creating a true likeness in this project with the Royal Academy of Arts, Factum Foundation for Digital Technology in Conservation and the Rothschild Foundation. From Pygmalion falling for his own sculpture in Greek mythology to the rise of photography in the nineteenth century as a new way to record facial features, visual art has always sought to reproduce a true likeness between image and form. This new interactive project celebrates the next stage in this story, the art of 3D photogrammetry in the twenty-first century. The Veronica Chorographic Scanner is designed by contemporary artist Manuel Franquelo Giner, and built by Factum Arte in Madrid. It showcases the emerging technologies behind high-resolution composite photography and photogrammetry. The name ‘Veronica’ derives from Vera in Latin meaning ‘true’, and Eikon meaning ‘icon’ or ‘image’, from Greek. Please note a limited number of tickets are available for visitors to be scanned by The Veronica Scanner and must be pre-booked in advance. To be scanned, tickets are £5 (plus standard Waddesdon grounds admission, free for National Trust and Art Fund members). Call 01296 820414 to book a scan. The Veronica Scanner: Live 3D Portraiture will also be presented at the Royal Academy of Arts 2–11 September 2016.

Suitable for
Any age

Admission
Free entry to exhibition with normal grounds admission. National Trust members and Art Fund members go free. Please note a limited number of tickets are available for visitors to be scanned by The Veronica Scanner and must be pre-booked in advance. To be scanned, tickets are £5 (plus standard Waddesdon grounds admission, free for National Trust and Art Fund members). Call 01296 820414 to book a scan.

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/mw795?id=EVENT560653