Discovering secrets of cultural objects through advanced technology
- 4 years ago
빛으로 문화재 보니 비밀 숨어있네... 국립중앙박물관 ‘빛의과학’전
The National Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition on 'the science of light' where visitors can see Korea's National Treasures in ways they've never been able to before.
Kim Bo-kyoung reports.
Light is a key source of energy for humans,... but it is also proving essential for analyzing and preserving cultural objects - such as Korea's national treasures.
A special exhibition at the National Museum of Korea, 'The Science of Light, Revealing the Secrets of Cultural Properties' has recently reopened its doors after closing due to COVID-19.
Light helps researchers analyze cultural objects in various ways.
Firstly, by using optical lenses,... visitors to the exhibition are able to see some of the finer details...like seven gold dragons with an ornamental pattern on 'Gold Belt Buckle' Korean national treasure number 89.
Invisible light such as infrared, ultraviolet and X-rays is used for analysis.
For instance, through infrared radiation, conservators can find inscriptions which had been erased. One wooden strip was discovered to have had sayings and ideas by Confucius written on it.
This Horse and Rider-shaped piece of pottery is national treasure number 91...and one of the ancient Kingdom of Silla's most precious cultural assets.
From the exterior it looks like an ornament, yet when viewed through an X-ray, you can see that is actually a kettle.
“At the table in the middle of the exhibition, people can see how different the royal paintings of the Joseon Dynasty look through different lights, infrared and X-rays.”
Through XRF technology, a non-destructive analytical technique, certain elemental research can be carried out as well. Pictures can be seen in great detail using infrared light,... and X-rays shows how thick the paint is.
"We can see how our ancestors used cultural assets such as water droppers or porcelain Pythagorean cups,... and kids will be interested in the digitalized table in the middle."
The exhibition, which can be seen in person until November 15th, serves as an opportunity to discover the hidden secrets of cultural artifacts with the help of advanced technology.
Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.
The National Museum of Korea is holding a special exhibition on 'the science of light' where visitors can see Korea's National Treasures in ways they've never been able to before.
Kim Bo-kyoung reports.
Light is a key source of energy for humans,... but it is also proving essential for analyzing and preserving cultural objects - such as Korea's national treasures.
A special exhibition at the National Museum of Korea, 'The Science of Light, Revealing the Secrets of Cultural Properties' has recently reopened its doors after closing due to COVID-19.
Light helps researchers analyze cultural objects in various ways.
Firstly, by using optical lenses,... visitors to the exhibition are able to see some of the finer details...like seven gold dragons with an ornamental pattern on 'Gold Belt Buckle' Korean national treasure number 89.
Invisible light such as infrared, ultraviolet and X-rays is used for analysis.
For instance, through infrared radiation, conservators can find inscriptions which had been erased. One wooden strip was discovered to have had sayings and ideas by Confucius written on it.
This Horse and Rider-shaped piece of pottery is national treasure number 91...and one of the ancient Kingdom of Silla's most precious cultural assets.
From the exterior it looks like an ornament, yet when viewed through an X-ray, you can see that is actually a kettle.
“At the table in the middle of the exhibition, people can see how different the royal paintings of the Joseon Dynasty look through different lights, infrared and X-rays.”
Through XRF technology, a non-destructive analytical technique, certain elemental research can be carried out as well. Pictures can be seen in great detail using infrared light,... and X-rays shows how thick the paint is.
"We can see how our ancestors used cultural assets such as water droppers or porcelain Pythagorean cups,... and kids will be interested in the digitalized table in the middle."
The exhibition, which can be seen in person until November 15th, serves as an opportunity to discover the hidden secrets of cultural artifacts with the help of advanced technology.
Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.