The Intimate Lives Of Cultural Objects

The author envisions the transmission of heritage and history through the process of digitization of archives and cultural objects. He critically examines the construction of data sheets, and more largely the documentation associated with the digitization of collections. He considers the distinction between big and small data within the humanities, as well as the historical representations it has borne. He concludes by pointing out three issues regarding digitization: reducing the complexity of a cultural object; creating modes of appropriation and transformation for the wider public: and the fact that it must be considered in an all-encompassing and multimedia approach.