In conjunction with the exhibition “Giacomo Boni. The Dawn of Modernity” the Parco archeologico del Colosseo hosts in the Curia Iulia at the Roman Forum on Thursday, 24 February 2022 the presentation of the volume From Pen to Pixel. Studies of the Roman Forum and the Digital Future of World Heritage, edited by Patrizia Fortini and Krupali Krusche, published by L’Erma di Bretschneider.

The volume collects the long experience of scientific collaboration with the University of Notre Dame (Indiana, USA), in particular with the institute DHARMA – Digital Historic Architectural Research and Material Analysis Lab of the University of Notre Dame directed by Prof. Ing. Krupali Krusche, to carry out the architectural survey of the monumental realities of the Roman Forum, through the use of laser scanner technology and ultra-high resolution photography.
The work was a training opportunity for the architecture students of the University of Notre Dame, supervised by Dr. Patrizia Fortini of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo, who were able to view the documentation of the complex topographical layout of the Roman Forum with plans, photos, sections and drawings dating back to the excavations and pioneering explorations of Giacomo Boni. Part of this important graphic documentation, never previously published, constitutes the illustrative apparatus accompanying the scientific essays and consists of a complete series of plans, elevations and panoramic views in 3D point cloud format, Gigapan photographs, line drawings and watercolours.
The work benefits from the introduction by Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO during the years of the project, to underline the commitment of the international organisation to the conservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, also through digital tools, since 1992 with the launch of the Memory of the World programme. The partnership between the Parco archeologico del Colosseo and the University of Notre Dame is fully in line with UNESCO’s long-term objectives as a new synergy for research, experimentation and the use of non-destructive techniques for the documentation and evaluation of the state of conservation of monuments.

Presenting
Irina Bokova has been Director General of UNESCO since 2009, and was subsequently re-elected in 2013, the first woman to lead the international organization. She has received institutional recognition from countries around the world and has been awarded the title of Doctor honoris causa by numerous universities. She has been actively engaged at the international level for the promotion of uniform levels of quality education for all, gender equality, cultural dialogue and scientific cooperation with a view to sustainable development. She has also advocated globally for policies for the safety of journalists and for freedom of expression.

Daniele Manacorda has taught archaeology at the Universities of Siena and Roma Tre. He has worked on the archaeology and history of the urban landscape of Rome, on the economic and cultural history of the ancient world, on the valorization of the cultural heritage and on the relationship between archaeology and society. Member of the Scientific Commission of the Scuderie del Quirinale, he is a member of the board of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo and of the Soprintendenza ABAP of Rome. 

Introducting 
Alfonsina Russo – Director of the Parco archeologico del Colosseo