Digital Inheritance of Ponytail Craftsmanship: How Technology Empowers Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection
With the rapid development of digital technology, the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) have encountered new opportunities. Ponytail craftsmanship, as a unique traditional skill, is rejuvenating through digital means. Here are several key ways in which technology empowers the protection and inheritance of ponytail craftsmanship:
1. Digital Collection and Documentation
Digital technology provides strong support for the recording and preservation of ponytail craftsmanship. Through photography, videography, audio recording, and 3D scanning, the entire process of ponytail craftsmanship, including its detailed techniques and cultural background, can be comprehensively documented. For example, in Sandu Water Autonomous County, Guizhou Province, funds have been invested to digitally document the national-level inheritors of the Shui族 horsehair embroidery, establishing a database management system. This kind of digital collection not only preserves the entirety of the craft but also provides rich data resources for future inheritance and research.
2. Application of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies offer new ways to display and educate about ponytail craftsmanship. Through VR technology, users can immerse themselves in the process of making ponytail crafts, as if they were in a real production scene. For example, the intangible cultural heritage VR project on woodblock printing developed by Zhejiang University City College in collaboration with relevant institutions allows users to learn traditional skills in a virtual environment through realistic interactive effects. This immersive experience not only enhances the fun of learning but also improves the efficiency of skill inheritance.
3. Intelligent Teaching Systems
Using artificial intelligence (AI) and motion capture technology, interactive teaching tools can be developed. For example, AI-driven virtual tutors can correct learners’ movements in real-time through holographic projections, improving learning efficiency. This “digital master-apprentice” model not only accelerates the inheritance of skills but also enables more people to participate in the learning of intangible cultural heritage.
4. Digital Dissemination and Promotion
The Internet and social media provide a broad platform for the dissemination of ponytail craftsmanship. Through platforms such as Douyin, Kuaishou, and Xiaohongshu, videos and tutorials on ponytail craftsmanship can be quickly spread and attract a large amount of attention. In addition, through AI algorithms’ intelligent recommendations, ICH-related content can be accurately pushed to interested users, further expanding the influence of ponytail craftsmanship.
5. Innovation and Cross-Boundary Integration
Digital technology also provides possibilities for the innovation and cross-boundary cooperation of ponytail craftsmanship. For example, through AI-assisted design, traditional ponytail craftsmanship can be combined with modern fashion and art to create works that are more in line with contemporary aesthetics. This kind of innovation not only attracts more young people to pay attention to ponytail craftsmanship but also injects new vitality into it.
6. Data Security and Cultural Protection
While digital protection is being implemented, data security and cultural authenticity are also crucial. Through blockchain technology, a non-replicable “cultural fingerprint” can be established for the digital records of ponytail craftsmanship, preventing cultural resources from being misused or pirated. This technology not only protects the authenticity of ICH but also provides a guarantee for its dissemination worldwide.
Conclusion
Technology empowerment has brought unprecedented opportunities for the protection and inheritance of ponytail craftsmanship. Through digital collection, virtual reality, intelligent teaching, innovative integration, and other means, ponytail craftsmanship is not only better preserved and inherited but also widely disseminated worldwide. In the future, with the continuous progress of technology, there will be more possibilities for the digital inheritance of ponytail craftsmanship, injecting new strength into the protection and development of traditional culture.