Initiated by Sergey Nechaev, head of Moscow rep office of French National Centre for Scientific Research, the meeting join together French specialists who shared the experience in cultural heritage conservation and Russian inventors who presented pioneering high-tech projects.

Roche Payé, preservation expert and researcher of French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research, shared the experience of France, the first state, which started to solve the problem of cultural heritage saving at the country level. He also explained the difference between preservation, restoration and reconstruction. Preservation is the most “gentle” but at the same time effective technique. Usually one ignores it because it is easier to make complete renovation.

Jacques Rebière, director of the Laboratory of Conservation, Restoration and Research (LC2R), shared how to apply technologies of virtual reality for cultural heritage saving. One of the most effective modern devices is a 3D scanner, which can copy relief and dimension of an object. This technology provides clear-cut images. Moreover, it doesn`t require physical contact between an exhibit and the device.

ITMO University’s experts also took part in the meeting. Its` Center of Design and Multimedia of the Department of Technological Management and Innovations fused together lots of researchers who developed various projects. Thus Denis Stolyarov, one of “Video360 Production`s” inventors, talked about how Russian engineers shot interactive videos with so called participation effect. Artem Smolin, head of Chair of Engineering and Computer Graphics, also presented such projects provided by the Center as virtual museums and excursions, high-tech performances and others. International guests also visited Usability Lab of ITMO University.

French experts appreciated research activities of Russian colleagues and noted that they could be applied for cultural heritage protection. According to Mr. Payé, these videos should be upgraded by adding such services as monitoring of buildings` condition, prediction option and so forth. International experts underlined that they were interested in collaboration. They offered to use these technologies for educational needs as well as assist in involving various experts in these activities.

“Taking into account such modern problem as increasing of terrorists` attacks, development of a objects of cultural heritage`s base becomes more and more essential. Having created a high-grade 3D copy of an architectural masterpiece we save it for future generations. Back in the day crashed monuments were considered as lost forever. Currently full-color sharp images make these objects everlasting,” said Mr. Rebière.

Russian and French experts came to the point that they would collaborate in the field of virtual reconstruction.