USO DA FABRICAÇÃO DIGITAL NOS PROCESSOS DE RESTAURAÇÃO

O RETÁBULO DO ALTAR DA IGREJA MATRIZ DE NOSSA SENHORA DO ROSÁRIO DE RUSSAS-CE

Abstract

Documentation plays a fundamental role in mitigating the risks arising from the degradation of the built cultural heritage. In the case of ornate architectural styles, the geometric complexity of the decorative elements makes this task difficult, since traditional representations are not very reliable in recomposition processes. We will present a possible strategy for dealing with this issue through the use of digital technologies for both recording and fabrication. Starting from a brief theoretical introduction, a documentation process is structured with the purpose of encoding the geometric information present in the ornaments in high fidelity three-dimensional digital models, in a format that can be used in digital fabrication. As a case study, we describe the restoration process of the altarpiece of the main altar of the Mother Church of Russas - CE. The original structure, a wood carving, presented a significant loss of support due to xylophagous attacks. The restoration used photogrammetry techniques to obtain digital models of the damaged parts and of identical elements still intact, making possible the production of "digital prostheses" that, after being manufactured by digitally-controlled machining, could be inserted into the original pieces to restore their integrity. At the end, the implications of the use of such techniques are discussed as to their applicability in similar situations or their usefulness in preventive actions.