SCULPTEUR

The Semantic Grid is emerging as a key concept. It is the intersection of the Semantic Web and the Grid.

The Semantic Web is an extension of the current Web in which information is given well-defined meaning, better enabling computers and people to work in cooperation. Data is defined and linked in a way that enables it to be used for more effective discovery, automation, integration and reuse across various applications. The Web can reach its full potential if it becomes a place where data can be processed by automated tools as well as people.

SCULPTEUR was a pioneering Semantic Grid project. The objectives were to extend an existing image digital library system for searching and retrieval of more diverse multimedia types, with significant support for 3D objects; develop a sophisticated semantic layer for distributed multimedia information management, using classifying agents and search agents for structured and unstructured information; and build an example semantic knowledge base.

Improved searching and sharing of diverse multimedia collections was of great interest to the museums in the project. SCULPTEUR enabled co-operation amongst teams of researchers, historians and conservationists. Applications included classification of cracks in paintings and their correlation with wooden supports on the back; analysing engravings with regard to surface degradation; and matching copies of sculptures with their originals in other collections. SCULPTEUR used high-performance database systems to store and manipulate the multimedia collections.

Access and retrieval of images as externally accessible services also allowed collection content to be easily used in the products of publishing and editing organisations, or for educational and public services within museums or on web sites.

IT Innovation was responsible for designing and integrating the SCULPTEUR system which was deployed at several partner sites.

See the SCULPTEUR project website for more details.

Some of the work we began in this project continues in our current digital media and service-oriented systems projects.

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SCULPTEUR received research funding from the European Community’s IST Programme.