Art finds place on computer
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.(First Edition)
TECHNOLOGY that allows a computer to store 20,000 images of works of art on a disc the size of a music compact disc has been launched at the European Fine Art Fair in Maastricht, the Netherlands.
State of the Art, a visual information system designed for dealers and curators, allows any work of art that can be photographed to be stored in a computerised filing system. Within seconds an entire disc can be scanned and the image of a painting or sculpture retrieved, complete with accompanying text.
State of the Art took its lead from the National Gallery's interactive computer system available to the public. What made the commercial use possible was the development by Kodak of Photo CD, to which 35mm film or slides can be converted in high street photography shops. That has allowed images to be put on computer screens with a quality acceptable to art specialists. The technology is programmed for use on an ordinary Apple Macintosh computer, and is, says the company, so user-friendly that it does not need an instruction manual.
The driving force behind the technology is Edwin Miller, a former dealer in Chinese paintings who had long been frustrated finding ways to keep track of his stock, and the MultiMedia Corporation, an associated company of the BBC.
Mr Miller said he expected the system to be used by both public and private galleries for keeping a record of stock and collections. Also, in the event of loss or damage, a photograph could be distributed to the police and to insurance companies.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments