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An extraordinary IBM initiative to demonstrate how technology can bring unique works of art to people around the world has produced an award-winning Web site at www.hermitagemuseum.org for the State Hermitage Museum in Russia, where some of the world's most magnificent art treasures are exhibited. Launched with a U.S.$2 million
IBM technology grant, the multiyear partnership between IBM and the Hermitage illustrates the compelling power of leading-edge technology in bringing artistic legacies of the past to life.
The Web site, named the "World's Best Online Museum" by National Geographic Traveler, "Best Overall Internet Site," by the Russian Internet Academy, and one of Forbes Magazine's "Best of the Web" sites, was developed by IBM researchers in Russia, Italy, Israel and the U.S. in collaboration with art historians at the Hermitage, which was once the home of Russian royalty. In 1764, Russian Empress Catherine The Great purchased a considerable collection of Western European paintings, laying the foundation for the modern-day State Hermitage Museum.
The IBM initiative has now positioned the Hermitage as one of the most technologically advanced museums in the world.
IBM has also donated more than 60 kiosk presentations of its partnership with the State Hermitage Museum to museums, galleries, libraries and universities in 35 countries.
IBM creates new museum shop
In addition, IBM has continued its collaboration with the Russian museum by producing shop.hermitagemuseum.org This new online shop is designed to educate visitors about original works of art from the Hermitage collection while they browse products that include museum reproductions made by well-known Russian artisans exclusively for this site.
"We were delighted to work with IBM on another successful project that demonstrates the potential of the Internet to bring unique treasures of the Hermitage to people all over
the world," said Dr. Mikhail Piotrovski, Director of the State Hermitage Museum.
"One of our goals with the new online shop was to maintain the beautiful artistry of the museum site, its educational component, and the kinds of details that make it a distinctly
Hermitage product."
Bringing art to life for millions through new technology
New technologies developed for this project include:
A searchable IBM digital library database:
- Includes more than 4,500 high-resolution images from 12 different categories.
- Enables Internet users to view, study and magnify images using a standard PC.
- Ultimately, the complete Hermitage collection of 3 million works of art will be digitized and added to the library.
IBM HotMedia® feature guide
Takes online visitors through a virtual tour of the splendid halls of the Hermitage, considered works of art in themselves.
Image-creation studio
A unique digital camera and lighting environment delivers color from the art work that surpasses that of most conventional photography. IBM software developed for this project then compresses the scanned image and stores it in the digital library, without changing the color of the original.
Interactive Russian/English education curricula
A computerized Education and Technology Center runs fully interactive educational curricula in both Russian and English.
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