Project Context / Objective:
The Swiss Art Research Infrastructure (SARI) at the University of Zurich sought to modernise and extend its Semantic Reference Data Models (SRDMs) to ensure alignment with the latest CIDOC CRM standard (v7.1.2) and broader community best practices, including Linked.Art. The ORDEA project aimed to create a harmonised and enriched SRDM framework to support complex analyses in art and architectural history — including creative processes, argumentation, and event workflows. Existing models covering Persons, Artworks, Events, Places, Digital Objects, and more required both reanalysis and extension to fully exploit the capabilities of CIDOC CRM, AAAo, and CPRo.
Takin.Solutions’ Role / Contributions:
Takin.Solutions partnered with SARI to redevelop and extend the SRDMs across two phases, providing comprehensive semantic modelling services that strengthened alignment with international standards and improved usability for researchers.
Key Activities:
Phase 1 — SRDM Remodelling:
- Analysed existing SRDMs and modelling patterns.
- Updated all models to align with CIDOC CRM v7.1.2 and, where appropriate, Linked.Art standards.
- Enriched documentation with metadata, examples, and version change notes to support users of the original SRDMs.
- Delivered remodelled models in the Zellij semantic pattern database as SRDM version 2.0.
Phase 2 — SRDM Extension:
- Developed new models and modelling patterns to cover additional semantic spaces.
- Provided alternate deployment patterns leveraging CRMaaa to enrich social and historical data representation.
- Documented all new models and patterns in Zellij for integration into the SARI system.
Deliverables / Outputs:
- Complete SRDM v2.0 for all existing models, fully documented in Zellij.
- Extended SRDMs with new models and patterns, including enriched representations of historical and creative processes.
- Version change notes highlighting differences between SRDM v1 and v2.
- Comprehensive documentation enabling researchers to apply and interpret models consistently.
Outcome / Impact:
The project provided SARI with a harmonised, fully modernised SRDM framework supporting sophisticated analyses of art and architectural history. The upgraded SRDMs allow researchers to capture and represent creative processes, institutional facts, and historical argumentation with precision and semantic consistency. The work established a robust foundation for future modelling and interoperability, enabling SARI to maintain alignment with CIDOC CRM, Linked.Art, and related community best practices.
