A virtual classroom
Interview with Guiscardo Pin, CEO of T-Systems Italy
It took two years to get Artgate up and running – how come?
The project was challenging for the whole team. Artgate is a comprehensive database that required a great deal of attention to detail, particularly when it came to cataloguing the masterpieces and compiling information about the works and their artists. The Cariplo Foundation needed a tool that could fulfill two requirements: first, a portal showcasing the masterpieces and artists that have shaped the artistic heritage of the Foundation, and second, an archiving tool enabling the Foundation to manage and preserve its artistic heritage. Our technology experts at T-Systems worked hand in hand with the customer’s team from the very beginning, jointly defining the portal’s structure. Collaboration continued into the development phase and throughout the implementation of the solutions.
The project was challenging for the whole team. Artgate is a comprehensive database that required a great deal of attention to detail, particularly when it came to cataloguing the masterpieces and compiling information about the works and their artists. The Cariplo Foundation needed a tool that could fulfill two requirements: first, a portal showcasing the masterpieces and artists that have shaped the artistic heritage of the Foundation, and second, an archiving tool enabling the Foundation to manage and preserve its artistic heritage. Our technology experts at T-Systems worked hand in hand with the customer’s team from the very beginning, jointly defining the portal’s structure. Collaboration continued into the development phase and throughout the implementation of the solutions.
Was there an art historian or other expert advisor on board?
The Artgate portal is the result of collaboration between specialists from a wide range of fields. We worked with art historians, graphic designers, translators and art photographers. Together they formed the Scientific Committee. This was established especially for the initiative and played a crucial role. It gathered information on the Foundation’s collection, created data sheets and defined search-engine criteria – turning the site into a virtual classroom for scholars and students. Artgate offers access to old masterpieces in a virtual environment. Can we get any numbers? For example, data volume, etc. Let me explain the background to the project to help you understand how the portal works. Artgate provides a gateway to the Foundation’s collection. There are two points of access: a virtual gallery, which provides a quick tour of the most prestigious works, and an online collection where all the masterpieces are presented with detailed data sheets. Artgate also contains 150 artist biographies.
The Artgate portal is the result of collaboration between specialists from a wide range of fields. We worked with art historians, graphic designers, translators and art photographers. Together they formed the Scientific Committee. This was established especially for the initiative and played a crucial role. It gathered information on the Foundation’s collection, created data sheets and defined search-engine criteria – turning the site into a virtual classroom for scholars and students. Artgate offers access to old masterpieces in a virtual environment. Can we get any numbers? For example, data volume, etc. Let me explain the background to the project to help you understand how the portal works. Artgate provides a gateway to the Foundation’s collection. There are two points of access: a virtual gallery, which provides a quick tour of the most prestigious works, and an online collection where all the masterpieces are presented with detailed data sheets. Artgate also contains 150 artist biographies.
Will other projects of this kind follow?
This was the first project of its kind for T-Systems in Italy, and we are very pleased with the results. After the international bestpractice projects at the Guggenheim exhibition in Bonn and in Vienna, T-Systems is proud to contribute to the cultural
development of Italian art. The project with the Cariplo Foundation confirms that state-of-the-art ICT solutions can support cultural diffusion. And we would be honored to extend this experience to other Foundations and museums in the future.
This was the first project of its kind for T-Systems in Italy, and we are very pleased with the results. After the international bestpractice projects at the Guggenheim exhibition in Bonn and in Vienna, T-Systems is proud to contribute to the cultural
development of Italian art. The project with the Cariplo Foundation confirms that state-of-the-art ICT solutions can support cultural diffusion. And we would be honored to extend this experience to other Foundations and museums in the future.
What is your favorite piece from the collection ?
I have two: “La Giustizia” (Justice) by Canova (bas-relief) and “La danza delle ore” (The dance of the hours) by Previati (painting).
I have two: “La Giustizia” (Justice) by Canova (bas-relief) and “La danza delle ore” (The dance of the hours) by Previati (painting).
