Dovetailing: safeguarding traditional craftsmanship using Virtual Reality

This article focuses on the dialogue between Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) and technology, specifically within the domain of traditional craftsmanship. We begin by establishing the current methods of safeguarding traditional crafts, as described in previous issues of this journal, and the benefits and limitations of these. This is followed by an introduction to the concept of digitisation and the Tripartite Digitisation Model (TDM) for capturing, representing and disseminating ICH through digital means. Through a case study of digitising a traditional joinery technique, we explore different methods for capturing data about ICH and reflect on their use for digitisation. The ICH is represented through 3D models, video clips and audio voice-over, and disseminated in an interactive VR simulation. After evaluating the simulation with the people whose ICH we were trying to safeguard, we discuss the benefits and limitations of moving the ICH from its original context into a digital one.