Empowering Training Participants to Become Cultural Producers

Overview

This strand of the project focused on providing training and co-creation opportunities to autistic adults through the museum’s Collections Digitisation programme, which was established in 2018.

It equipped participants with new digital skills but also empowered them to become cultural producers of cultural heritage content which the Museum will harness in a variety of ways to enhance multisensory learning and participation in the Collection.

A group of three people sit with their backs to the camera. The are facing a man who is giving a demonstration. He us using a laser scanner which is projecting a blue light onto a Hunt Museum object which is sitting on an electric turn table. The 3D digital model of them object created is visible on a large tv screen
An inital 3D digitisation taster session which enabled learners to learn about the process

Why offer 3D training?

The 3D digitisation process, which involves the operation of a laser scanner and associated software, links well with many of the skills and aptitudes shared by autistic and neurodivergent people. Some of these include being detail and task focused, possessing excellent alternative and creative problem skills and working systematically and logically to complete projects.

The 3D training was led by Dermot Keane and 3D printing was facilitated by Ger Walsh, at Fablab, Limerick.

Who participated?

Participants included learners from National Learning Network (based in Raheen, Limerick), a third year LSAD game art and design student (who completed his college work placement through the project) and two members of the Inclusive Museum Autistic Persons Working Group. All shared an interest in technology, gaming and in the Hunt Museum Collection.

There are three male participants. One holds a hand held 3D scanner and digitally records a Hunt Museum object which is a small ivory casket. The other two males look on
participants use a handheld scanner to digitally record an object during a taster session

Results

  • 13 autistic young people ages all in their early twenties participated in the training
  • 17 x 3D digitisation training sessions were facilitated deliver 9 new 3D digital models of collection objects
  • 5 x 3D printing training sessions were facilitated by Fablab delivering test-prints for the planned multisensory trail in the Permanent Collection.

The skills I developed were how to scan items into 3d models and how to upload and publish them. – Pierce Byrne

Pierce creates a 3D digital model of one of the museum’s momento mori objects
Participants operating a 3D printer at Fablab

Examples of 3D digital object models produced

Pomander Or Memento Mori Skull by The Hunt Museum on Sketchfab

CG077 Pineapple Jar by The Hunt Museum on Sketchfab

Examples of 3D printed objects produced

A a 3D momento mori object, printed in wood based filament, which makes it look like wood. It is roughly the size of a golf ball. the object has four sides but in the one facing the viewer, a skull head with deep hollow eyes and large teeth can be seen.
A white hexagon shaped 3D print with six sides. Its surface is covered in raised spines resembling those found on a pineapple. This exact texture is to be found on the Hunt Museum's Pineapple Jar
Above images: 3D print of a momento mori, hexagonal shaped print experimenting with texture from the Museum’s Pineapple
A miniature printof the Hunt Museum's Pineapple Jar. This print is approximately 10cm in height. It has a wide circular mouth which cinches in at the neck. Below this, the body is round like a small football. It's body is covered in raised spines. The print is a dark grey colour.
miniature 10cm in height 3D print of the pineapple Jar

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