Within “CyArk 500 Challenge” project scanning engineer from the U.S. Ross Davison traveled to Geghard on January 9-10 to create the 3D version of the monastery, along with the students of the Tumo Center for Creative Technologies.

CyArk 500 Challenge aims to collect 500 cultural monuments from around the world and create their 3D models within next five years. Two years have passed since its launch and over this time, 122 architectural monuments have been scanned.

“A pleasant surprise was awaiting me in Armenia – the enthusiasm of Armenian Children”

Ross Davison has been engaged in 3D scanning of architectural marvels in the U.S., Great Britain, Ecuador, Jordan and Somali.

Ross Davison

Photo: Mediamax

In his interview with Mediamax, he spoke about the cooperation between Tumo and CyArk, which started around a year ago.

“We have already implemented the program in various countries. Is should be noted that at the initial stage people display great enthusiasm, but when it comes to the work itself, everything gets a bit complicated. In this regard, a pleasant surprise was awaiting me in Armenia – the enthusiasm of Armenian children. It was quite cold when we left for Geghard, but the children were working with so much vigor that they had lost the feeling of cold”, he said.

The 3D modeled monuments are posted on CyArk’s website. In addition, all the scanned models are preserved on special servers in Pennsylvania, U.S.

Speaking about the selection criteria of the monuments, Ross stated they guide themselves by the request they receive, which presents the cultural value of that particular monument. According to Ross, CyArk focuses on high-risk sites bearing great cultural value.  It is the followed by the fund-seeking process and afterward, 3D modeling works start.

3D modeling of Armenian cultural heritage and passing it on to coming generations

Technology Manager at Tumo Center for Creative Technologies Jirayr Beugekian noted they are happy their program was a success and intend to go on with it.

“We should purchase a USD 50.000-worth scanner, and as a long-term project, perform the 3D scanning of the entire Armenian cultural heritage to pass it on to the generations”, he stated.

Photo: Mediamax

The program costs roughly USD 100 thousand. USD 15.000 has been raised owing to the fundraising held in order to purchase the 3D scanning tool. According to Tumo Managing Director Marie Lou Papazian, the fundraising will continue until they have the sum required for the tool.

Tumo Managing Director Marie Lou Papazian

Photo: Mediamax

“A few years ago, Tumo Board Member Katherine Sarafian applied to us introducing this interesting project. She wanted to have Tumo involved in it by all means. Geghard Monastery is the second 3D modeled monastery in Armenia – Tatev Monastery was the first. We are going to collect around 10-12 monuments in the future to include them in the list of CyArk 500 Challenge”, said Marie Lou Papazian.

“We were so interested in the work that the factor of the cold was driven to the background”

Within the framework of the five-day program, the 12 students of Tumo were divided into three groups – scanning, modeling and photographing.

Photo: Mediamax

“I had been in Geghard for thousand times but I had never taken notice of the peculiarities I saw owing to this program. During the course I realized that Geghard Monastery is not only part of Armenian but also global historic heritage. It was very cold in Geghard but we all were so much interested in the program that the factor of the cold was driven to the background”, said one of participants Zhanna Gevorgyan.

Mane Gabrielyan from the modeling group stressed the importance of the fund of knowledge they acquired from their mentor Ross during those days.

“Before launching a certain piece of the equipment during works in Geghard, he would firstly explain it in details. If we failed in doing anything, he would show it to us and then ask to do the same. I hope in the near future Ross will return to Armenia with a new program”, she said.

By the way, Ross Davison left for Gyumri on January 16 and scanned the Gyumri Theater. Marie Lou Papazian said that precisely this theater will house Tumo in Gyumri.

Narine Daneghyan

Photos by Emin Aristakesyan