“Save from oblivion” – 3D technology in protecting the traditions of national and regional dances

Social Responsibility of Science II - Popularization of science

Funding from the Ministry of Education and Science

Project title: “Save from oblivion” – 3D technology in protecting the traditions of national and regional dances

Agreement number: POPUL/SP/0414/2023/01

Project implementation period: 01.01.2024 - 31.03.2025

Principal Investigator: dr Paweł Powroźnik

Project value: 557 000,00 PLN

Funds granted for Lublin University of Technology: 500 000,00 PLN

Abstract: Folk dances rooted in Polish tradition and history are today presented only during certain important celebrations. Notes about them can be found in sheet music, chronicles and diaries from the 15th century. These works are a treasury of ancient customs that shape our national and regional distinctiveness. To "save from oblivion" this wonderful heritage and to pass on knowledge to the young generation about their roots and culture, a modern tool is needed to preserve the intangible cultural heritage world. Due to the digitization of folk dances, especially, 3D technologies, it is possible to show folk dances not only in "flat" film/TV technology, but with the full possibilities of modern computer science - in three dimensions (3D). This method allows you to transfer to computer memory real objects (in the project - dance costumes) or performed movements (in the project - dance sequences). Due to digitization, it is possible to analyze the acquired materials based on high-quality digital copies, which allow to access to information inaccessible to human senses when analyzing, for example, a film shot with a camera. Digitization of dance sequences involves creating a virtual object (3D model) that reproduces the actual steps of the dancers with very high accuracy (up to 1 mm). This allows to recreate the recorded movement and view the model from every side. Access to this type of materials will be a significant help for teachers, who will be able to present students an excellent model of folk costumes and sequences of movements of a given dance during lessons.

The project also involves the creation of a website. The three-dimensional models of dance sequences included in it will be great instruction for dance students who want to practice dancing on their own at home. However, the most important value of the website dedicated to presenting folk dances in 3D technology will be to refer Poles to their roots and strengthen the sense of belonging to a given social and ethnic group. The innovation of the website created in the project will consist in presenting content using the latest 3D scanning technology. In addition to the value of consolidating national heritage, the website will be a place to present the scientific achievements of the Lublin University of Technology regarding movement analysis - the creation of 3D models of dance sequences based on data recorded by the Motion Capture System.

The research project consists of two parts, the main theme of which is folk dance.

The first part involves developing three-dimensional models of six dance sequences selected from folk dances and three-dimensional models of folk costumes. The digitization of 6 folk dances sequences will be made available on the website developed as part of the project. This website will be devoted to folk dances and their digitization, it will constitute a database presenting: 1) selected dances with their history and description;

2) video recordings in dance costumes, 3) 3D models presenting dance sequences, 4) 3D models of dancers' costumes. The website will be implemented in two languages (Polish and English) to reach the widest possible audience. Due to it, the results of research conducted on three-dimensional motion capture and 3D scanning movement analysis on the example of dances using highly specialized equipment will be made public and disseminated. The website will continue to be developed after the project is completed.

The second part of the project involves the open events titled: "Save from oblivion" - A series devoted to the presentation of selected folk dances and learning basic steps and patterns. The meetings are dedicated to the local community and all interested parties, and will be held at the Lublin University of Technology - on campus or in a dance studio/sports hall - depending on the season. This form of the project will facilitate the transfer of slowly disappearing knowledge about the tradition of folk dances to the widest possible group of society, especially children and young people. It will also be an opportunity to disseminate the traditions of the academic community, of which the activities of the "Zespołu Pieśni i Tańca Politechniki Lubelskiej" since 1991 are a significant part.

The realization of the research project will show how the achievements of computer vision are useful for society in line with the social responsibility of science.

The project is implemented within the scientific discipline of Technical Information Technology and Telecommunications.