The National Museum Machado de Castro (MNMC) in Coimbra, Portugal, is advancing an initiative to improve cultural accessibility for visually impaired individuals. In collaboration with the Technological Center for Ceramics and Glass (CTCV), the museum has requested the reproduction of specific artifacts in materials that replicate the properties of the originals, facilitating tactile interaction for visually impaired visitors, according to a joint statement released by both organizations.
This innovative process began with the reproduction of a terracotta model of King D. José I’s equestrian statue—a replica of the original monument by Machado de Castro, situated in Lisbon’s Comércio Square. The project consists of three phases: 3D digital scanning of the artifact, computational modeling of the digital model, and 3D printing using a cement-based stone material.
A protocol has been established to solidify collaboration, aiming to leverage their scientific, technical, and human resources for mutually beneficial activities and projects.
The document, signed by Jorge Marques dos Santos Sousa and António Sousa Lamas from CTCV and Sandra Costa Saldanha, director of MNMC, outlines a commitment to logistical cooperation. This partnership aims to capitalize on each entity’s technological capabilities, particularly in developing educational materials for the visually impaired, such as suitable reproduction technologies for information.
CTCV, as a Center for Technology and Innovation, is responsible for providing technical and technological support to MNMC, focusing on applying research and technology in creating replicas of museum pieces.
The National Museum Machado de Castro is tasked with translating and producing Braille texts, and providing human and technical resources as needed by CTCV projects, and engaging in other relevant research and innovation projects.
