The Hunt Museum's First Scanathon - The Hunt Museum

The Hunt Museum’s First Scanathon

The Hunt Museum hosted its very first Scanathon on the 5th – 7th of November 2021. A primary aim of this Scanathon was to provide 3D models of our medieval collections as part of the Europeana project, The Art of Reading in the Middle Ages (ARMA).

Bronze coin on a transparent stand, set against a backdrop of purple stripes and concentric circles, creating a futuristic and mysterious ambiance.

Laser scanning in progress with an Einscan turntable

Where?

The Hunt Museum, Captains’ Room

Who?

Our participants were led on Friday by Ken Coleman, an Irish visual artist based in Limerick who combines Fine Art with photography, mixed media and digital techniques.

On Saturday and Sunday we were joined by Jon Beck, founder of Scan the World and his colleague Elisa d’Antona. Scan the World is an ambitious initiative aimed at the digital sharing of cultural heritage. By scanning, sharing and 3D printing cultural heritage artifacts and empowering others to do so too, Scan the World are helping to make heritage more accessible for everyone.

What?

Participants got hands-on with the Hunt Museum’s Einscan Pro 2x scanner, creating models of some of our smaller medieval objects and conducting a few experiments! Ken brought along some tricky action figure parts to really test the scanner’s capabilities!

Jon really held everyone’s attention with his top-of-the-range Artec EVA, scanning everything from crucifixes to the Cashel Bell to a bourdaloue (portable toilet!). Then, we travelled downstairs to scan some of our larger sculptures including Sybil Connolly’s Madonna.

“It was very hands-on and interactive, and I found the team very informed and passionate about the work they are doing.”

Scanathon participant
Man in a black hoodie and mask uses a digital drawing tablet at a desk in a well-lit room. A laptop and art equipment are on the wooden table.

Irish Visual Artist Ken Coleman leads participants

Two people examine an artifact using 3D modelling software on a laptop. One holds a small object; the setting is a room with display cabinets and wooden floors.

Participants use Einscan Pro 2X laser scanner

A spacious room with wooden floors and large windows. Three masked people work on computers, two sitting at separate tables, while two others observe. The atmosphere is focused.

Participants at the Hunt Museum's Scanathon Nov 2021 with artist Ken Coleman

A person in a colourful print T-shirt holds a 3D scanner. A laptop displaying software is on a table in a room with wooden floors and artwork on the walls.

Jon Beck, founder of Scan the World with his Artec EVA 3D scanner

Three people, wearing masks, are gathered around a table with a laptop and a small ornate box. One holds a 3D scanner. Two paintings hang on the wall.

Jon Beck works with participants at the Scanathon

Participants get hands-on with the Artec EVA 3D scanner

Two people wearing masks examine a statue in a museum. One holds a scanner, while the other checks a device. The setting is calm and focused.

Jon Beck and Elisa D'Antona from Scan the World scanning Sybil Connolly's Madonna

A group of people in masks examines a museum display. One person holds a 3D scanner toward sculptures and a painting, while another takes a photo with a phone. The mood is focused and engaged.

Participants get hands-on with the Artec EVA 3D scanner

The Results

We’re busy processing our models while continuing to scan and create more! You can view all of our models on Sketchfab.

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