from The San Francisco Examiner
Public art debate
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A classic case of how a good idea can easily spiral down the path of apathy - becoming more of a burden than anything else - when there is a lack of community support. When publicly sited art is mandated rather than springing forth from a deep-seated desire of the larger community, then its negligence is all the more likely. Indeed, preservation work must begin with the community, rather than with materials.

from The Times of Malta
Heritage Malta defends language museum project
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An interesting idea to have a language museum, which exemplifies how cultural identity can be forged through a concerted effort in preserving the intangible heritage of a community. It would also be helpful to bear in mind that tangible materials and resources are needed in showcasing and recording the otherwise intangible aspects of heritage. Hence, to draw a rigid distinction between tangible and intangible heritage might not be terribly helpful in the larger picture of preservation.

from PhysicsWeb
Spiders get a grip
go to press releases here and here
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An intriguing adaptation of the natural ability of the spider to "stick" to walls and ceilings without dropping off for use in the design of adhesives. If such an adhesive is eventually developed, it might see uses in conservation treatments, such as the application of temporary facings, adhesives or supports, which would be totally reversible.

from EurekaAlert!
From top quarks to the blues
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This must surely qualify as a worthy and ingenious use of imaging research which normally is employed in the study of sub-atomic physics. By using a non-contact method of mapping the surface typography of a mechanically recorded surface - such as a vinyl record or even those very early sound cylinders - no damage will be done to these fragile objects in the process of extracting sound from these old recording media. Subsequently, software algorithms are then applied to these surface mappings to digitally decode and translate them into actual sounds, which can then be recorded digitally in order to be preserved.

from Slate
Reversing Vandalism
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A remarkable effort in transforming vandalised books that were damaged beyond reasonable repair into captivating works of art. It is one example of how meaning and significance can transcend material form and evolve with subsequent interventions.

Keynote address by Dr Pisit Charoenwongsa, Director, SEAMEO SPAFA
Conservation and its Aftermath - The Wise Use of Heritage Resources
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link to SEAMEO-SPAFA web-site

As the flow of financial and economic resources into heritage conservation efforts become restricted or erratic, the need to examine the issue of long-term sustainbility in the field of heritage conservation becomes all the more pressing. One viable solution, proposed by Dr Pisit, is to build community relevance and engagement:

"Community-based management, which involves a wide range of stakeholders, is perhaps the only key to achieve success in the hardly-popular effort of "conservation," which to most people denotes unfortunately something that is static or resistant to change. It is imperative to expand the stage of conservation that now seemed to have assumed a specific timeframe of commencement-action-cessation. To do this, the practice of conservation must be sustained beyond the 'project' to become entrenched as a philosophy, a cultural habit and a way of life."

This shift in outlook and mindset is also necessary in moderating the sometime over-zealous tendency of heritage conservation work to over-emphasise issues of "ethics" and "what-should-be-done" -- resulting in the mistaken view of such efforts as being moralising and somewhat parochial. Seeking an in-depth understanding of the wider societal context and community needs will surely translate heritage conservation efforts into real benefits for all concern.

from The Scientist
Biohistory guidelines urged
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When the examination of historical evidence involves exhuming and removing human remains, it becomes all the more pertinent that a strong code of ethics must be put in place and closely observed by all - much more so than for inanimate material objects.

from BBC News
Paper DVDs on the horizon
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A curious convergence in the preservation of data - no longer will it solely be analogue (paper) versus digital, but a heady combination of both!

from The New York Times
Titanic Scientist Begins Effort to Save 'Museum of the Deep'
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An incredible effort to try and preserve the actively disintegrating segments of shipwrecks, and of the Titanic in particular.

"The world's oceans are the museums of the deep," said the team's leader, Dr. Robert D. Ballard. "It is in the interest of all peoples to protect and conserve both wrecks of recent history as well as submerged sites of antiquity."

However, it presuppose that actual preservation of the physical material and evidence of the shipwreck would serve as the best means of preservation. Putting aside the question of cost-effectiveness, would having the entire shipwreck in a well-preserved state be the most appropriate way of "keeping" the memory of its history? We may have a visual and physical imprint of the actual artefact, but without active and sustained scholarship, that imprint may well end up serving as mere eye-candy - and a very expensive one at that.

from Wired News
Old Stones Reveal Their Age
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A new technology for use in dating of archaeological objects. It uses the method of measuring the amount of moisture that has diffused into the surface layer of quartz - normally found in inorganic stones. It is also a very expensive test to run - costing up to US$ 1,000 per object - due to the use of particle accelerator, which is more commonly used in the study of sub-atomic physics.

from The New York Times
Brooklyn Museum, Newly Refurbished, Seeks an Audience
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The re-opening - and re-positioning - of the Brooklyn Museum (formerly the Brooklyn Museum of Art) in New York has raised concerns that it might become: "a palace of popular culture rather than a place to see art." It is indeed a thin line to thread between being relevant and being low-brow. The former is increasingly being recognised as an essential component of a museum's function within a community. The latter is surely downright patronising and can be considered as a wanton waste of public resources. But who is to say?

from The Boston Globe
Needham firm offers security in a tiny package
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An interesting use of wireless sensor technology - not only to secure artefacts, but also to track environmental conditions. But knowing that such a sensor uses wireless communication, wouldn't any thief or vandal worth his (or her salt) be using a jamming device to disable the wireless network before swinging into action? Maybe, nothing really beats walking around the galleries in the good old-fashion way.

from Daily Record (UK)
Anger at Threat to Heritage
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A cursory glance at the news item may evoke a sense of alarm at the mention of about 800 sites that will be accorded less protection under the law in Scotland. However, placing this "loss" in the context of the other 7,000 (or more) sites that will still be protected, the original sense of alarm does seem to be misplaced. It is, perhaps, a clear example of how differing priorities on the use of natural and cultural resources can often run counter to each other.

from The Times of India
New duty for the neo-rich: Bring back old riches
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With the economic ascendancy of countries with deep historical roots, such as India and China, "cultural property rights" become synonymous with national pride. (New) money can expedite the return of cultural treasures to their original national and geographical context. However, a general but deep-seated sense of long-term cultural preservation will take a much longer time to realise - even with stupendous amount of cash.

from The Guardian
Arrow in eye for English Heritage conservators
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It is indeed a saddening affair when preservation efforts are not matched by fiscal sustainability. It also points to a larger need to tie the ideals (and work) of heritage preservation to being able to maintain meaningful employment and achieving social objectives. The danger begins when preservation efforts are seen as an end in themselves (hence, to be managed as an expenditure item) - rather than as a means to achieve a greater social good.

from The New Straits Times
Preserving the family home
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When the lure of money (whether from government subsidies or from tourist dollars) becomes one of the primary motive for heritage preservation, it could be a harbinger for a loss in the sustainability of conservation and preservation efforts in the long run.

from The New York Times
Halting Rust From Devouring What 9/11 Couldn't
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An interesting take on how objects that were used and accumulated in an impromptu manner can acquire a near other-worldly significance almost overnight. The sensitive approach to stabilising the artefacts without impinging upon future display decisions is exemplar.

from The Guardian
Making an exhibition of themselves
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This article follows an earlier one, in which James Fenton lamented how sculptures are visually mutilated when they are not properly lit. Display choices and decisions often hinge on interpretation. As such, technical requirement and specifications cannot be a panacea for what is essentially a subjective exercise.

from The Art Newspaper.com
Getty Trust and World Monuments Fund team up for Iraq conservation
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This is the latest in a string of laudable international efforts to help address and restore the rich cultural heritage legacy in Iraq - which at times has been seen as rightfully belonging to the entire human race. However, it also brings to mind the rather troublesome implication that, unless a country is dramatically propelled into the international news arena (whether due to war or other man-made or natural disasters), such commendable efforts can often languish at the sidelines for want of financial resources and expertise.