Modern methods used to study ancient art

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In order to study the intricacies of a 19th century bracelet handcrafted by a Northwest Coast artist, one would have to travel to a museum or have the piece transported at significant expense, or perhaps make arrangements with a private collector.

But Bill McLennan, projects manager and curator at the Museum of Anthropology, has discovered another, less intrusive way to study the gold and silver bracelets-digitization.

McLennan translates the bracelets into a flattened, electronic format, which can then be printed out and studied by contemporary artists, students and anthropologists.

That means that bracelets created by the late artist Charles Edenshaw, who crafted incredible works of gold and silver in the 1800s and early 1900s, are rendered flat.

McLennan came up with the concept when he noticed a clerk in the museum's gift shop photocopying a broach to send to a client. His method is far more involved, but along the same lines.

"This is a method of visually repatriating information so it's accessible to contemporary artists and communities," he said.

McLennan rolls up a flat piece of foam into a tube shape and inserts it into the bracelet. He then prepares the scanner, which is hooked up to his laptop, by covering all the areas except the path of the bracelet. Once the scanning begins, McLennan turns the foam tube, thus turning the bracelet, at the same speed as the scanner, while viewing his actions on the computer monitor.

He explained that the scanner's light causes reflections from gold and silver, with some areas coming out darker than others. That's why, said McLennan, "I scan the bracelet 10 or 12 times." He analyzes each scan and chooses the optimum parts of each one to use for the finished product. Opening the images in Photoshop and using a layering tool, he works with the image until it most resembles the actual bracelet.

With his mobile system, Bill McLennan is able to take his laptop and scanner on the road, scanning valuable pieces in other parts of the country, a means that is less disruptive than transporting the bracelets.

"It's very valuable because it allows us to show contemporary artists while being non-destructive to the bracelet."

He has scanned the bracelets of private collectors, as well as those at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull.

While the digitizing process is remarkable, the history of the bracelets is certainly worthy of note. McLennan explained that in the 1800s, European settlers traded with Aboriginal people using gold and silver coins. The Aboriginal people would then hammer the coins into bracelets and engrave them. Another format saw them melting the coins down into bars. In those days, the bracelets would be shaped and then carved, as opposed to today's method of carving while flat and then shaping.

McLennan explained that early anthropologists saw the bracelets as trade wear, not as traditional pieces, since they were made by materials brought over by European settlers. "Early Victorian tourists recognized the beauty in the bracelets and bought them," said McLennan. "They liked the broad bands and elegant designs."

But today, the bracelets are more than just striking jewellery-they are pieces of the past, and both artists and anthropologists are keen to study them.

McLennan said he's fortunate to share his office at the museum with Haisla artist Lyle Wilson.

"He's really helped in looking at details," he said. "He makes absolutely fabulous bracelets ... and because he's more proficient in that he can see more into the bracelets."

McLennan noted that each Aboriginal group had its own stylistic art form, which is seen in the bracelets.

"It's helpful in characterizing the artwork for that time," he said.

McLennan said the digitization project has been ongoing over the last two years, and he has digitized about 24 bracelets.

Located at the University of British Columbia, the museum is undergoing renovatins, which will see the building expand by 50 per cent.

Because of this, said McLennan, the digitization project has been put on the back burner, but he is anxious to get it going again, as there is much interest among the students.