This document discusses data modeling for performing arts metadata. It proposes using the Europeana Data Model (EDM) to model performing arts entities and relationships. EDM classes like ProvidedCHO, Event, Person and Place would be used to represent objects, performances, individuals and locations. Events would link related entities like photographs, productions and plays. Examples show how a source table could be modeled in EDM to separate different entity types and clarify relationships. Open issues include modeling abstract plays/productions and participation roles. The goal is to aggregate German cultural data in a standardized, linked format for the Performing Arts search portal.

1. Exploring Performing Arts
Data Modelling in the
Specialised Information Service Performing Arts
Julia Beck | j.beck@ub.uni-frankfurt.de
Marko Knepper | m.knepper@ub.uni-mainz.de
Europeana Tech Conference 15.-16.05.2018, Rotterdam
16.05.2018

2. Specialised Information Service
Performing Arts
– The Search Portal –

3. The Search Portal
Specialised Information Service Performing Arts
• Aggregates metadata from German-speaking cultural heritage
institutions within the performing arts domain
• Funded by the German Research Foundation
• Presents information in a VuFind-based search portal
• What we are working with at a glance:
• And of course here: http://www.performing-arts.eu

4. The Challenge
– How to model performing arts metadata? –

5. Production
Leonce and Lena
(1911/12)
Person
Georg Büchner
related to
Photography
Ilse Wehrmann
in Leonce and Lena
Person
Gustav Lindemann
Work/Play
Leonce and Lena
Director
based on
Author
Production
Comedy of Love
(1912/13)
Director
Photography
Comedy of Love
(1913)
related to
Performance
Leonce and Lena
(1912-01-25) Theater bill
Leonce and Lena
(1912-01-25)
related to
Person
Ilse WehrmannActress
related to
Subject
Subject
The Challenge (Vision)

6. MARC21MARC21PICA Individual Standard
(CSV / MDB / SQL /
FM / FAUST / Allegro / …)
METS/
MODS
EAD LIDO …
…
Libraries, Archives, Museums
OpenBib
JSON
The Challenge (Real-Life Data)
Typical challenges and differences
• Different data formats and standards
• Unstructured data / “hidden information“ (esp. performances)
• Missing separation of entities („1 row for all“ (objects, agents, events, …))
• Little use of authority data
• Missing links between related informtation
• Missing documentation

7. „Behind the scenes“
– Modelling with edm:Event –

8. edm:ProvidedCHO
• For objects like playbills, costumes, photos
• Abstract versions for plays and productions?
foaf:Person / foaf:Organization
• For related persons and organizations
edm:Place / edm:Timespan / skos:Concept
• For related places, dates and concepts
edm:Event
• For performances, festivals, …
Modelling with edm:Event

9. <edm:ProvidedCHO rdf:about=“O1“>
<dc:title>Ilse Wehrmann in Leonce
und Lena</dc:title>
<dc:type>Photography</dc:type>
<edm:wasPresentAt rdf:resource=“E1“/>
<dc:subject rdf:resource=“P1“>
</edm:ProvidedCHO>
<edm:Event rdf:about=“E1“>
<edm:hasType>Premiere</edm:hasType>
<edm:occuredAt>1912-01-25</edm:occuredAt>
<edm:isRelatedTo rdf:resource=“O2“/>
</edm:Event>
<foaf:Person rdf:about=“P1“>
<skos:prefLabel>Wehrmann, Ilse</skos:prefLabel>
</foaf:Person>
Modelling with edm:Event (Example)
Title Ilse Wehrmann in
Leonce und Lena
Type Photography
Author Georg Büchner
Season 1911/1912
Premiere 1912-01-25
Subject Ilse Wehrmann
EDM Original Table (Example)

10. <edm:ProvidedCHO rdf:about=“O2“>
<dc:type>Production</dc:type>
<edm:isRelatedTo rdf:resource=“O3“/>
</edm:ProvidedCHO>
<edm:ProvidedCHO rdf:about=“O3“>
<dc:title>Leonce und Lena</dc:title>
<dc:type>Work</dc:type>
<pro:author rdf:resource=“P2“/>
</edm:ProvidedCHO>
<foaf:Person rdf:about=“P2“>
<skos:prefLabel>Büchner, Georg</skos:prefLabel>
</foaf:Person>
Modelling with edm:Event (Example)
Title Ilse Wehrmann in
Leonce und Lena
Type Photography
Author Georg Büchner
Season 1911/1912
Premiere 1912-01-25
Subject Ilse Wehrmann
EDM (continued) Original Table (Example)

11. Production
edm:ProvidedCHO?
Person
foaf:Person
edm:wasPresentAt
Photography
edm:ProvidedCHO
Person
foaf:Person
Work/Play
edm:ProvidedCHO?
eclap:director
based on?
pro:author
Production
edm:ProvidedCHO?
eclap:director
Photography
edm:ProvidedCHO
edm:isRelatedTo
Performance
edm:Event
Theater bill
edm:ProvidedCHO
edm:isRelatedTo
Person
foaf:Personeclap:actor
edm:isRelatedTo
dc:subject
dc:subject
Modelling with edm:Event

12. Modelling with edm:Event
Open questions / challenges
• Modelling plays and productions with abstract edm:ProvidedCHO?
• A basedOn property for the relation between production and play
• Modelling participation roles of persons within edm:Event
• Modelling of theatre venues (stages)

13. „WikiProject Performing Arts“

14. Questions?
Contact: Julia Beck | j.beck@ub.uni-frankfurt.de
Marko Knepper | m.knepper@ub.uni-mainz.de
Thanks to our data providers!