Embroidered tales: hidden histories and silent voices of the New Forest
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Xavier Aure, Fabio D’Agnano, and Michael White will be working in collaboration with the New Forest Heritage Centre and Mnemoscene on the project “Embroidered Tales: Hidden Histories and Silent Voices of the New Forest.”
Commissioned by the New Forest Association in 1979 to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the creation of Nova Foresta by William the Conqueror, the New Forest Embroidery (NFE) is a remarkable artifact measuring over 6m in length and 70cm in height. The piece is divided into four panelled sections, each telling a narrative history of the New Forest and its changing seasons, from its designation as a Forest in 1079 to the anniversary tree planting by the Queen in 1979. The embroidery depicts key local and national events, characters associated with the history of the New Forest, and features other significant objects from the collections of the New Forest Heritage Centre.
The team from CFPR will employ a custom 3D scanning system onsite for digital capture, a system that combines photogrammetry and Reflectance Transformation Imaging techniques. This technology allows for the recording of the finest details of the surface of the embroidery. Post capture processing will then be conducted offsite to generate 3D digital models and high-resolution images.
Mnemoscene, an organization with experience assisting cultural heritage organizations in creating engaging stories with their digital collections, will use this data to create an interactive online project that shares stories from the local community.
In addition, the CFPR will produce tactile panels for each section of the four-panelled embroidery. These panels will be reproduced using different techniques and finishes to facilitate engagement and tactile exploration. The models will accurately replicate the texture, design, and structure of the embroidery. They are intended to be accessible for all audiences but are particularly designed to allow people with visual impairments to learn about, feel, and engage with the embroidery. The panels will also incorporate built-in sensors activated by touch, triggering audio information.
Funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund, the purpose of this public-facing project is to enhance engagement with and foster an environment where local communities can discover, develop, and share new understandings and meanings of the heritage of the New Forest. This will be achieved through exploration, investigation, and research into the collections of the New Forest Heritage Centre.
