With I Gusti Putu Surya Angga Buana
- What are the key technical and methodological challenges in digitising both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, particularly in ensuring accuracy, context, and long-term preservation?
The main challenge in the digitisation of tangible cultural heritage is ensuring that every detail of the object is properly, accurately, and comprehensively documented. Meanwhile, for intangible cultural heritage, the challenge lies in ensuring that documentation does not diminish the meaning and experiential value of the heritage itself. Adequate tools are required, along with an understanding of the philosophy behind the cultural heritage being documented.
For example, the digitisation of lontar (palm-leaf manuscripts) carries the risk of misreading and ambiguous interpretation if the photography process and lighting conditions are not properly managed. Therefore, the tools and supporting media used in digitisation must be adequate, and human resources should at least understand the context in order to minimise errors in image capture. - How does the digital representation of cultural heritage reshape collective memory and identity, especially for younger generations who primarily engage with heritage online?
Digital representations of cultural heritage are indeed easily accessed and consumed by younger generations, as they are highly familiar with the online ecosystem. However, it should be noted that such digital representations may also dilute meaning if they are regarded solely from a visual perspective. - What are the key legal and structural challenges related to copyright and ownership when cultural heritage—both tangible and intangible—is digitised, particularly in balancing protection, access, and the rights of source communities?
Cultural heritage owned by communities often does not have copyright protection, as it has existed for a long time without a single identifiable creator. As a result, documentation that has been uploaded may be used and commercialised unilaterally by third parties. Strong government regulation is required to balance the protection of such cultural heritage. In addition, community consent is essential prior to documenting any form of cultural heritage. - What role should governments and cultural institutions play in regulating and supporting digitisation, particularly in ensuring ethical standards, data sovereignty, and equitable access?
Governments and cultural institutions need to establish regulations, documentation standards, and provide secure digital storage systems. In addition, governments and cultural institutions should also provide funding and policies to support the documentation of cultural heritage by the communities that own it. - How can local communities—especially young people—be meaningfully involved in the digital preservation of their cultural heritage without losing authenticity or agency?
Young people are the heirs and successors of their cultural heritage. They are also familiar with online and digital environments. This forms a strong combination for long-term preservation efforts. Young people are appropriately positioned to act as documenters and contributors on open platforms, while still involving customary elders. They require only training and capacity-building to document their cultural heritage properly and accurately.
