La furia di Prometeo. Dalla rappresentazione digitale alla rappresentazione teatrale

The 2020 health crisis accelerated the digitalization and transformation of Italian museums, highlighting the fragility of the cultural access system and the need for inclusive and innovative strategies. This paper presents a multidisciplinary research experience carried out at the Parco Archeologico delle Isole Eolie e Museo Archeologico Eoliano “Luigi Bernabò Brea”, within the framework of the PRIN 2022 and PNRR projects, aimed at enhancing and promoting access to archaeological heritage, with particular reference to terracotta miniature masks of Greek theatre (4th–3rd century BC). The research integrates historiographical and philological studies, image-based digital surveys, and 3D modelling of artefacts, alongside the development of a digital library, interactive applications, haptic prototypes, and 3D printing for the production of wearable masks. These masks, adapted to human scale, were employed in the staging of Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus, thus establishing a tangible link between material heritage and theatrical performance. The experience demonstrates the effectiveness of an integrated approach that combines digital preservation, inclusive access, multisensory education, and edutainment, fostering cultural and emotional connections between audiences and archaeological heritage. The project proposes a replicable model for the enhancement of cultural heritage, capable of transforming knowledge and research into experiential and artistic practices, while strengthening the attractiveness of heritage sites and engaging diverse audiences.