from The Boston Globe -
A 'Nativity' revelation
go to article
go to graphics
go to video clip
Yet another discovery of a hidden painting and the artist's frugal re-use of canvases, "uncovered" during x-radiography examination before conservation treatment. This time, it is a painting by Tintoretto.
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from The New York Times -
Pictures That Were Worth a Thousand Calling Cards
go to article
A review in the New York Times, no less, of the current exhibition at the Asian Civilisation Museum - “Neither East Nor West: Asians in Monochrome” until 1st February 2009.
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Pictures That Were Worth a Thousand Calling Cards
go to article
A review in the New York Times, no less, of the current exhibition at the Asian Civilisation Museum - “Neither East Nor West: Asians in Monochrome” until 1st February 2009.
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From Gray Areas to Green Areas:
Developing Sustainable Practices in Preservation Environments
go to symposium web-page
An interesting - and increasingly pertinent - perspective on preservation and sustainability. Arising from a symposium organised by the Kilgarlin Center for Preservation of the Cultural Record at the University of Texas, Austin, papers that were presented are now available online.
From the introduction to the symposium proceedings:
Link from Conservation DistList.
.
Developing Sustainable Practices in Preservation Environments
go to symposium web-page
An interesting - and increasingly pertinent - perspective on preservation and sustainability. Arising from a symposium organised by the Kilgarlin Center for Preservation of the Cultural Record at the University of Texas, Austin, papers that were presented are now available online.
From the introduction to the symposium proceedings:
"A fundamental assumption made in the preservation community is that achieving the right balance of temperature and relative humidity is the best strategy to prolong the life of collection materials. The chemistry behind that statement may be quite accurate, but it requires that we balance more than just degrees and percentages. If our tightly controlled HVAC systems contribute to global warming, do we come out ahead? Does it make sense to apply these standards to every climate and economy? [...]"These are questions which we dismiss at our own peril.
Link from Conservation DistList.
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from Tate Research -
Tate Papers: Issue 10, Autumn 208
go to online issue
The latest issue of Tate Papers is now available. In particular, the following article is of particular interest in terms of research in modern paints:
Tate Papers: Issue 10, Autumn 208
go to online issue
The latest issue of Tate Papers is now available. In particular, the following article is of particular interest in terms of research in modern paints:
"The History and Manufacture of Lithol Red, a Pigment Used by Mark Rothko in his Seagram and Harvard Murals of the 1950s and 1960s"
Harriet A. L. Standeven
go to article
Labels:
museum,
technical art history
from The New York Times -
An Opaque and Lengthy Road to Landmark Status
go to article
Preservationists See Bulldozers Charging Through a Loophole
go to article
Houses of Worship Choosing to Avoid Landmark Status
go to article
Preservation and Development, Engaged in a Delicate Dance
go to article
Looking at Landmarks
go to interactive map
An excellent extended feature looking at the work of the Landmarks Preservation Commission in New York and some learning points to be had.
For one, urban preservation is not merely a technical enterprise, but, perhaps more importantly, also an emotional one - in that it involves persuasion, empathy and sharing responsibilities. Looking at architectural heritage solely from a technical perspective would seem to defeat the very larger purpose of preservation - which is to connect communities across time.
Another important lesson is that heritage preservation work, not matter how noble or essential, is not self-evident given the context of present-day societal preoccupations. Hence, this makes the work of preservation that much more complex and difficult as changing prevailing social paradigms become an important aspect of the groundwork needed before preservation efforts could be understood or supported.
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An Opaque and Lengthy Road to Landmark Status
go to article
Preservationists See Bulldozers Charging Through a Loophole
go to article
Houses of Worship Choosing to Avoid Landmark Status
go to article
Preservation and Development, Engaged in a Delicate Dance
go to article
Looking at Landmarks
go to interactive map
An excellent extended feature looking at the work of the Landmarks Preservation Commission in New York and some learning points to be had.
For one, urban preservation is not merely a technical enterprise, but, perhaps more importantly, also an emotional one - in that it involves persuasion, empathy and sharing responsibilities. Looking at architectural heritage solely from a technical perspective would seem to defeat the very larger purpose of preservation - which is to connect communities across time.
Another important lesson is that heritage preservation work, not matter how noble or essential, is not self-evident given the context of present-day societal preoccupations. Hence, this makes the work of preservation that much more complex and difficult as changing prevailing social paradigms become an important aspect of the groundwork needed before preservation efforts could be understood or supported.
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Labels:
architecture conservation,
heritage,
preservation
from The Miami Herald -
$300,000 sculpture destroyed en route to Art Miami show
go to article
A reminder of the kind of extreme damage that can happen to artworks - probably a combination of gross ignorance and negligence. From the photos, the packing effort looks dismal - bubble-pack and thin foam pieces in a semi-flimsy wooden crate construction. Even as it seems to have been destroyed during moving, if the packing had been robust, the damage might have been contained. What a real shame!
.
$300,000 sculpture destroyed en route to Art Miami show
go to article
A reminder of the kind of extreme damage that can happen to artworks - probably a combination of gross ignorance and negligence. From the photos, the packing effort looks dismal - bubble-pack and thin foam pieces in a semi-flimsy wooden crate construction. Even as it seems to have been destroyed during moving, if the packing had been robust, the damage might have been contained. What a real shame!
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from The New York Times -
Saving That Landscape, in Pictures at Least
go to article
Preservation is often seen in terms of saving artefacts - both large or small - that important non-artefactual and non-site aspects are often missed. This makes for a poorer "record" that is being preserved. Then again, it points to the difficulty, if not the impossibility, of total preservation.
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Saving That Landscape, in Pictures at Least
go to article
Preservation is often seen in terms of saving artefacts - both large or small - that important non-artefactual and non-site aspects are often missed. This makes for a poorer "record" that is being preserved. Then again, it points to the difficulty, if not the impossibility, of total preservation.
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British Museum Techncal Research Bulletin
go to on-line journal
The British Museum has published in printed form their second volume of its Technical Research Bulletin. Articles from the first volume are now available, covering a wide-ranging .
Via ConsDist List.
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go to on-line journal
The British Museum has published in printed form their second volume of its Technical Research Bulletin. Articles from the first volume are now available, covering a wide-ranging .
Via ConsDist List.
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from The Harvard Crimson -
Novelist Funds Scientist Position
go to article
A rare but nonetheless significant gesture which hopefully could see more emulators. Though an esoteric subject ("Does conservation science really exists?"), the impact would certainly be useful in the long-term.
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Novelist Funds Scientist Position
go to article
A rare but nonetheless significant gesture which hopefully could see more emulators. Though an esoteric subject ("Does conservation science really exists?"), the impact would certainly be useful in the long-term.
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from The New York Times -
Cheeseburgers Get Into the Mix in the Italian Debate on Museums
go to article
Following from an earlier post, the appointment of a former businessman as the top-most authority on heritage and cultural matters in Italy has sparked very strong reactions. Now, why is that not surprising?
Bu the more worrying aspect is the appointee's view on cultural heritage:
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Cheeseburgers Get Into the Mix in the Italian Debate on Museums
go to article
Following from an earlier post, the appointment of a former businessman as the top-most authority on heritage and cultural matters in Italy has sparked very strong reactions. Now, why is that not surprising?
Bu the more worrying aspect is the appointee's view on cultural heritage:
"Italy’s cultural patrimony is a 'strategic asset like oil, with zero costs because it’s there,' Mr. Resca said. 'Of course, you have to protect it, and care for it, but it has a value that we can leverage and develop.'"Sure, try telling museums, conervators, heritage professionals and staff that they have "assets" that are "zero-cost" and these should be exploited. Is this a circus or what?
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from The Guardian -
Fear of McMuseums as burger boss gets culture job
go to article
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Fear of McMuseums as burger boss gets culture job
go to article
"Mario Resca, 62, who worked as Italy manager for the fast-food chain for 12 years before moving last year to relaunch a state-run casino, has been appointed to squeeze more revenue out of the country's museums, part of a shake-up at the culture ministry."Enough said - prepare for the demise of human civilisation as we know it...
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from The Guardian -
Google Earth brings ancient Rome to life
go to article
go to web-site
A project that started more than 30 years ago, as actual plaster models of ancient Rome, which was continued into the digital realm a decade ago. Perhaps it is time for UNESCO to consider starting a new category of Digital World Heritage Sites?
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Google Earth brings ancient Rome to life
go to article
go to web-site
A project that started more than 30 years ago, as actual plaster models of ancient Rome, which was continued into the digital realm a decade ago. Perhaps it is time for UNESCO to consider starting a new category of Digital World Heritage Sites?
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from NUS Museum -
Newsletter, Issue 4, 2008
go to newsletter (PDF format)
WARNING: Shameless plug ahead!
I did a recent e-mail interview with NUS Museum - after moving there earlier in the year - which is now published online (on page 12 of the PDF issue). While downloading the issue, do have a look at the various interesting articles and exhibition reviews included in the newsletter - a vast and refreshing improvement over the usual dry and uninspiring corporate communications stuff that one has come to expect from museums.
Link via NUS Museum.
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Newsletter, Issue 4, 2008
go to newsletter (PDF format)
WARNING: Shameless plug ahead!
I did a recent e-mail interview with NUS Museum - after moving there earlier in the year - which is now published online (on page 12 of the PDF issue). While downloading the issue, do have a look at the various interesting articles and exhibition reviews included in the newsletter - a vast and refreshing improvement over the usual dry and uninspiring corporate communications stuff that one has come to expect from museums.
Link via NUS Museum.
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Labels:
conservation,
museum,
Singapore
from BBC News -
Bid to rescue Berlin Wall artwork
go to article
A somewhat unorthodox approach to preservation - by re-creating, from scratch in some instances, mural paintings done in commemoration after a historic event - costing some US$ 3 million. Are we still stuck in that era which must see tangible preservation as the only "authentic" or "valid" approach? And who's paying?
.
Bid to rescue Berlin Wall artwork
go to article
A somewhat unorthodox approach to preservation - by re-creating, from scratch in some instances, mural paintings done in commemoration after a historic event - costing some US$ 3 million. Are we still stuck in that era which must see tangible preservation as the only "authentic" or "valid" approach? And who's paying?
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from i came i saw i come i see -
out of the blue - what's your hallmark
go to post
An interesting account, arising from a visit to the Baba House Museum along Neil Road, on the historic use of architectural colours and also the tradition of hanging clan name insignia.
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out of the blue - what's your hallmark
go to post
An interesting account, arising from a visit to the Baba House Museum along Neil Road, on the historic use of architectural colours and also the tradition of hanging clan name insignia.
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Labels:
heritage,
preservation,
Singapore
from The Chronicle of Higher Education -
University Libraries in Google Project to Offer Backup Digital Library
go to article
Though initially driven by commercial interests, the digitisation of books could see social spin-offs if we can wait long enough for copyrights to expire. An interesting aside, the project to share digital version of scanned books is called Hathi - Hindi for "elephant" - as:
Link via Educause Connect.
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University Libraries in Google Project to Offer Backup Digital Library
go to article
Though initially driven by commercial interests, the digitisation of books could see social spin-offs if we can wait long enough for copyrights to expire. An interesting aside, the project to share digital version of scanned books is called Hathi - Hindi for "elephant" - as:
"The name resonated really well because elephants remember, elephants are large, and elephants are strong,"And one might add, they are social creatures, too.
Link via Educause Connect.
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Labels:
digital preservation,
preservation
from CultureGrrl -
Sharon Waxman's "Loot": A Definitive History of the Antiquities Wars
go to review
A new book that chronicles the recent past events that made some of the heavy-weight museums look like petty thieves - through no fault of theirs.
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Sharon Waxman's "Loot": A Definitive History of the Antiquities Wars
go to review
A new book that chronicles the recent past events that made some of the heavy-weight museums look like petty thieves - through no fault of theirs.
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from The Guardian -
Guardians of the past uncover green lessons for the present
go to article
When the preservation of "traditional" knowledge shows modern-day research a thing or two.
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Guardians of the past uncover green lessons for the present
go to article
When the preservation of "traditional" knowledge shows modern-day research a thing or two.
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from The Independent -
Return of the fallen Madonna
go to article
go to photos
This is the stuff that paintings conservators live for. In addition, any residual argument for retaining the "patina" of age on paintings should now be seen as misguided or even erroneous.
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Return of the fallen Madonna
go to article
go to photos
This is the stuff that paintings conservators live for. In addition, any residual argument for retaining the "patina" of age on paintings should now be seen as misguided or even erroneous.
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from Dwell Blog -
Smog-Cutting Concrete
go to article
from 5 Witness News -
35W sculptures aren't just for looks
go to article
Incorporating a photo-catalytic coating (see earlier posts and links here) on a free-standing structure in an attempt to clean up urban pollution. This would be an idea to have near museums and archives so that the necessary indoor air-filtration system is not subjected to overloading.
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Smog-Cutting Concrete
go to article
from 5 Witness News -
35W sculptures aren't just for looks
go to article
Incorporating a photo-catalytic coating (see earlier posts and links here) on a free-standing structure in an attempt to clean up urban pollution. This would be an idea to have near museums and archives so that the necessary indoor air-filtration system is not subjected to overloading.
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from Cebu Daily News -
Heritage training for tunnel workers
go to article
Getting on-site workers clued up on heritage and historic artefacts sounds like a cost-effective idea. However, to think that a lowly-paid construction worker who now recognises artefacts (which might fetch a tidy sum on the black-market) will be more than happy to turn his find in - that's quaint.
Link via SEAArch.
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Heritage training for tunnel workers
go to article
Getting on-site workers clued up on heritage and historic artefacts sounds like a cost-effective idea. However, to think that a lowly-paid construction worker who now recognises artefacts (which might fetch a tidy sum on the black-market) will be more than happy to turn his find in - that's quaint.
Link via SEAArch.
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from SEED Magazine -
In Defense of Difference
go to article
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In Defense of Difference
go to article
"Experts have long recognized the perils of biological and cultural extinctions. But they've only just begun to see them as different facets of the same phenomenon, and to tease out the myriad ways in which social and natural systems interact."The increasing awareness of the inter-related nature of existence adds credence - and even urgency - to heritage and cultural preservation efforts. In essence, the point is not so much on the actual vestiges of culture that are preserved but to have a store of a range and variety of cultural expressions to guard against irreversible and total loss.
"It's the ability of a system — whether a tide pool or township — to withstand environmental flux without collapsing into a qualitatively different state that is formally defined as "resilience." And that is where diversity enters the equation. The more biologically and culturally variegated a system is, the more buffered, or resilient, it is against disturbance. [...] Homogeneous landscapes — whether linguistic, cultural, biological, or genetic — are brittle and prone to failure."This adds yet another reason for heritage preservation to the one mentioned earlier.
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Labels:
heritage,
preservation,
science
from International Conservation News -
Climate change and museum collections
go to web-page
go to PDF document (2.5 MB)
An important discussion - though on somewhat unfamiliar technical territory - which will determined the long-term viability of the profession as a whole.
To paraphrase one pertinent point from the discussion - if our current preservation work contributes to or hasten the depletion of the planet's resources, then for whom and which future generation are we preserving our heritage for?
And this was before the current financial meltdown. Now, there is a compelling reason to slash cost by reviewing energy consumption - issues of preservation vis-a-vis sustainability - within institutional contexts such as museums and archives (also see news story here).
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Climate change and museum collections
go to web-page
go to PDF document (2.5 MB)
An important discussion - though on somewhat unfamiliar technical territory - which will determined the long-term viability of the profession as a whole.
To paraphrase one pertinent point from the discussion - if our current preservation work contributes to or hasten the depletion of the planet's resources, then for whom and which future generation are we preserving our heritage for?
And this was before the current financial meltdown. Now, there is a compelling reason to slash cost by reviewing energy consumption - issues of preservation vis-a-vis sustainability - within institutional contexts such as museums and archives (also see news story here).
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Labels:
heritage,
museum,
preservation
from Technology Review -
Water-Repelling Metals
go to article
Using a specially formulated coating to treat metal surfaces so that water roll off effortlessly. This would be a great idea for outdoor sculptures and also historic building structures - reducing the risks of degradation due to accumulated water.
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Water-Repelling Metals
go to article
Using a specially formulated coating to treat metal surfaces so that water roll off effortlessly. This would be a great idea for outdoor sculptures and also historic building structures - reducing the risks of degradation due to accumulated water.
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from The Guardian -
Solved: mystery of The Ugly Duchess - and the Da Vinci connection
go to article
Syphilis and a frenzied stabbing
go to article
An interesting approach to art historical reading that relies on medical observations. Perhaps pointing to the need for a new category: medical art history.
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Solved: mystery of The Ugly Duchess - and the Da Vinci connection
go to article
Syphilis and a frenzied stabbing
go to article
An interesting approach to art historical reading that relies on medical observations. Perhaps pointing to the need for a new category: medical art history.
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Labels:
heritage,
technical art history
from UNFRAMED - The LACMA Blog -
Photography, Unveiled
go to article
An age-old preservation device - using a curtain to control direct illumination on actual display cases or frames - that somehow has an interesting resonance in today's museum-going context.
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Photography, Unveiled
go to article
An age-old preservation device - using a curtain to control direct illumination on actual display cases or frames - that somehow has an interesting resonance in today's museum-going context.
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from Scientific American -
Sticky Science: Gecko Toes Key to Adhesive That Doesn't Lose Its Tackiness
go to article
from Technology Review -
Sticky Nanotape
go to article
from Discover -
Scientists Make a Super-Strong Nanotech Glue Modeled on Gecko Feet
go to article
A direct practical application - of the result from the study of gecko feet in the "invention" of a sticky tape that resembles closely it's versatile adhesion mechanism - could be in the field of cultural heritage preservation. In particular, in the display of fragile artefacts, such as fabric and textiles, whereby ensuring both the ease of removal and adequate strong support during display is of paramount concern. Looking forward to when this becomes a reality - and you read / heard it here first!
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Sticky Science: Gecko Toes Key to Adhesive That Doesn't Lose Its Tackiness
go to article
from Technology Review -
Sticky Nanotape
go to article
from Discover -
Scientists Make a Super-Strong Nanotech Glue Modeled on Gecko Feet
go to article
A direct practical application - of the result from the study of gecko feet in the "invention" of a sticky tape that resembles closely it's versatile adhesion mechanism - could be in the field of cultural heritage preservation. In particular, in the display of fragile artefacts, such as fabric and textiles, whereby ensuring both the ease of removal and adequate strong support during display is of paramount concern. Looking forward to when this becomes a reality - and you read / heard it here first!
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from The Art Newspaper -
The reassuring rise of the museum curator
go to article
Not to sound self-absorbingly triumphant. But the recent appointment of curatorial heavy-weights for the posts of museum director could be a harbinger of better things ahead - addressing the problem of museum leadership head-on (highlighted earlier here and here) - or just a blip on the horizon in hind-sight.
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The reassuring rise of the museum curator
go to article
Not to sound self-absorbingly triumphant. But the recent appointment of curatorial heavy-weights for the posts of museum director could be a harbinger of better things ahead - addressing the problem of museum leadership head-on (highlighted earlier here and here) - or just a blip on the horizon in hind-sight.
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from NY Times
Cheap Seats - Bad times, good times
go to article
Ironically, Monday's meltdown has not dampened everyone's mood. Maybe it has but there should be always time to lift up spirits! It's good to see everyone still spending (for a good cause) at downtimes. Not a bad way to destress, spring up the economy a little, and perhaps re-build the nation with confidence again through great motion of arts. This is definitely cash in the right pocket.
Now, fly me to NY.
Cheap Seats - Bad times, good times
go to article
Ironically, Monday's meltdown has not dampened everyone's mood. Maybe it has but there should be always time to lift up spirits! It's good to see everyone still spending (for a good cause) at downtimes. Not a bad way to destress, spring up the economy a little, and perhaps re-build the nation with confidence again through great motion of arts. This is definitely cash in the right pocket.
Now, fly me to NY.
from Emerging Technology -
Photo prize for virtual autopsies
go to article
An interesting development in the field of 3-dimensional imaging that first gathers data from a combination of different imaging techniques and then using software to merge and present these data in a composite but coherent image.
Such a technique would be useful in the investigation of enclosures and other inaccessible areas of a cultural artefact that might reveal invaluable information.
.
Photo prize for virtual autopsies
go to article
An interesting development in the field of 3-dimensional imaging that first gathers data from a combination of different imaging techniques and then using software to merge and present these data in a composite but coherent image.
Such a technique would be useful in the investigation of enclosures and other inaccessible areas of a cultural artefact that might reveal invaluable information.
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Labels:
science,
technical art history,
technology
from The Washington post -
Babble On, Say Researchers In 'Linguists' Documentary
go to article
Another good reason for keeping record of dying languages, other than just preservation or documentary:
Babble On, Say Researchers In 'Linguists' Documentary
go to article
Another good reason for keeping record of dying languages, other than just preservation or documentary:
" '[S]cience is playing catch-up in many respects to the people who have lived there for thousands of years and know about that ecosystem,' says Anderson. 'So since all of these ecosystems are under collapse now, it would behoove us to not just throw away this knowledge that people have accrued over the millennia.' "
Labels:
intangible heritage,
preservation
from Nanoarchitecture.net -
Finding A Lost Painting
go to article
A video to accompany the story posted earlier here.
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Finding A Lost Painting
go to article
A video to accompany the story posted earlier here.
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Labels:
science,
technical art history
from The New York Times -
Archaeologists Unveil Majestic Roman Ruins That Rival Riches of Pompeii
go to article
go to imges
An unusual find that was kept from public view for more than 4 decades - which may be in some ways good from a preservation angle. Even then:
Archaeologists Unveil Majestic Roman Ruins That Rival Riches of Pompeii
go to article
go to imges
An unusual find that was kept from public view for more than 4 decades - which may be in some ways good from a preservation angle. Even then:
"Humidity has forced conservators to detach many frescoes from walls and transfer them onto panels before returning them to their original locations. 'It’s necessary, but it causes immense sorrow whenever we have to do that,' Mr. Pellegrino said."
from The Getty Conservation Institute -
GCI Bulletin
go to contents
The newly launched GCI Bulletin containing the lastest news on programmes and projects happening at the Getty Conservation Institute. Sign up for an electronic copy here.
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GCI Bulletin
go to contents
The newly launched GCI Bulletin containing the lastest news on programmes and projects happening at the Getty Conservation Institute. Sign up for an electronic copy here.
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from The Guardian -
Industrial vacuum cleaner blamed for Cutty Sark blaze
go to article
This just in ... and the cause of the devastating fire on the historic ship Cutty Sark was an over-heated motor of a vacuum cleaner used in the restoration of the ship itself. Sadly ironic ...
See earlier posts here.
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Industrial vacuum cleaner blamed for Cutty Sark blaze
go to article
This just in ... and the cause of the devastating fire on the historic ship Cutty Sark was an over-heated motor of a vacuum cleaner used in the restoration of the ship itself. Sadly ironic ...
See earlier posts here.
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from Modern Art Notes -
The Future of Spiral Jetty
go to posts
A relook at the threats facing Robert Smithson's "Spiral Jetty" - as a direct result of human folly and its consequences - and comment how we, as an art community, are lacking a framework to evaluate viable course of actions needed.
Part 1: The future of Spiral Jetty.
Part 2: What's happening to the Great Salt Lake?
Part 3: Spiral Jetty, the Great Salt Lake and Dia
Part 4: Dia's 'buffer' approach to preserving Spiral Jetty
Part 5: The next step at GSL: Coalition-building, funding
Postscript: Spiral Jetty: Is federal protection a useful option?
Also see earlier posts here.
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The Future of Spiral Jetty
go to posts
A relook at the threats facing Robert Smithson's "Spiral Jetty" - as a direct result of human folly and its consequences - and comment how we, as an art community, are lacking a framework to evaluate viable course of actions needed.
Part 1: The future of Spiral Jetty.
Part 2: What's happening to the Great Salt Lake?
Part 3: Spiral Jetty, the Great Salt Lake and Dia
Part 4: Dia's 'buffer' approach to preserving Spiral Jetty
Part 5: The next step at GSL: Coalition-building, funding
Postscript: Spiral Jetty: Is federal protection a useful option?
Also see earlier posts here.
.
Labels:
art conservation,
preservation
from The Guardian -
Volunteers restore historic giant of Cerne Abbas to his former glory
go to article
go to audio report
Not exactly the stuff of conservation treatment report:
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Volunteers restore historic giant of Cerne Abbas to his former glory
go to article
go to audio report
Not exactly the stuff of conservation treatment report:
"And a bunch of jolly volunteers took turns to dig and hack at the outline of this most eccentric hill figure, replacing the old, grubby chalk and making sure the figure can be seen from miles around."But who says conservation work has to be somber or even solitary.
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from The New York Times -
Music From the Past — Bringing Back the Epigonion
go to article
Isn't it an oxymoron to reproduce music nobody has heard before in the name of preservation - or is it just showing off some computing prowess? Makes one wonder why these people do not have a better use for such idle bytes - like modeling actual instruments and music in danger of dying right now? And with clever acronyms (ASTRA, DANTE) as substitute for serious work, maybe. No harm adding another - VENUS, or Very Enigmatic (but) Nonetheless Unimportant Study. Jeez...
.
Music From the Past — Bringing Back the Epigonion
go to article
Isn't it an oxymoron to reproduce music nobody has heard before in the name of preservation - or is it just showing off some computing prowess? Makes one wonder why these people do not have a better use for such idle bytes - like modeling actual instruments and music in danger of dying right now? And with clever acronyms (ASTRA, DANTE) as substitute for serious work, maybe. No harm adding another - VENUS, or Very Enigmatic (but) Nonetheless Unimportant Study. Jeez...
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from International Conservation News -
Innovative Lunder Conservation Center Receives Prestigious IIC Keck Award
go to article
go to press release
Conservation as performance, or better still, conservators as living artefacts - and in a museum, no less. Surely there must be a crucial difference between "access" and "showmanship" such that one does not confuse the two.
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Innovative Lunder Conservation Center Receives Prestigious IIC Keck Award
go to article
go to press release
Conservation as performance, or better still, conservators as living artefacts - and in a museum, no less. Surely there must be a crucial difference between "access" and "showmanship" such that one does not confuse the two.
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from The Jakarta Post -
Local restorers have yet to gain credibility
go to article
Museum conservation specialists step up
go to article
A glimpse into the work of regional colleagues. Link via SEAArch
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Local restorers have yet to gain credibility
go to article
Museum conservation specialists step up
go to article
A glimpse into the work of regional colleagues. Link via SEAArch
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from New Scientist -
Textured graphics can be captured in a flash
go to article
A simple and interesting way to capture information about surface texture that can be useful for documentation purposes.
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Textured graphics can be captured in a flash
go to article
A simple and interesting way to capture information about surface texture that can be useful for documentation purposes.
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from The Guardian -
UN threatens to act against Britain for failure to protect heritage sites
go to article
go to audio report
Another lesson in there, surely, on the difficulties in balancing urban development with preservation - especially in areas of high-density population.
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UN threatens to act against Britain for failure to protect heritage sites
go to article
go to audio report
Another lesson in there, surely, on the difficulties in balancing urban development with preservation - especially in areas of high-density population.
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from NIST Tech Beat -
NIST Studies How New Helium Ion Microscope Measures Up
go to article
An up-coming and promising improvement on microscopic (or should that be nano-scopic?) imaging. Cool...
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NIST Studies How New Helium Ion Microscope Measures Up
go to article
An up-coming and promising improvement on microscopic (or should that be nano-scopic?) imaging. Cool...
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from Scientific Blogging -
Will Mona Lisa Smile More When She's Clean? The Science of Art Conservation
go to article
Quotable quote (from Tom Learner at GCI):
Link via Conservation DistList.
.
Will Mona Lisa Smile More When She's Clean? The Science of Art Conservation
go to article
Quotable quote (from Tom Learner at GCI):
"One of the hardest decisions I’m having to make at the moment is, do we recommend that a lot of people pour a lot of resources into something like sausage casing or bread, which is never going to last as long as a marble sculpture?"Which is the crux of the difficulty in efforts in preserving contemporary art - not so much the range and diversity of materials but the diversion of professional resources to research and care for something which deteriorates faster than one can understand it properly. At some point, tolerance of artistic freedom crosses over to become over-indulgence. No?
Link via Conservation DistList.
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Labels:
art conservation,
science
from Discovery News -
Nuclear Physicists Fight Wine Fraud
go to article
Using high-end nuclear physics to characterise and compare glass used as wine bottles with known historic samples. And just a warning for would-be fraudsters, the wine itself will also be analysed using a method to detect and calculate radioactive decay (see earlier post).
.
Nuclear Physicists Fight Wine Fraud
go to article
Using high-end nuclear physics to characterise and compare glass used as wine bottles with known historic samples. And just a warning for would-be fraudsters, the wine itself will also be analysed using a method to detect and calculate radioactive decay (see earlier post).
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from The Guardian -
Italy: From drawing room to ad showroom: the changing face of St Mark's Square
go to article
In a world that values capital accumulation above all else, it is no surprise then to term the alteration and appropriation of a heritage icon for crass commercial use as a "lesser evil". Which may imply - wrongly, in my view - that the the "greater evil" would be the demolition or destruction of the same heritage icon.
The "greater evil", in fact, would be to equate such ad-hoc commercial sponsorship and short-term thinking as shining examples of civic necessity. And to pretend that this is the only solution at hand - betraying an utter lack of public imagination and concern.
.
Italy: From drawing room to ad showroom: the changing face of St Mark's Square
go to article
In a world that values capital accumulation above all else, it is no surprise then to term the alteration and appropriation of a heritage icon for crass commercial use as a "lesser evil". Which may imply - wrongly, in my view - that the the "greater evil" would be the demolition or destruction of the same heritage icon.
The "greater evil", in fact, would be to equate such ad-hoc commercial sponsorship and short-term thinking as shining examples of civic necessity. And to pretend that this is the only solution at hand - betraying an utter lack of public imagination and concern.
.
from Wired -
Aug. 19, 1839: Photography Goes Open Source
go to article
go to slideshow
An interesting summary of that historic (though not the first photographic process) but short-lived photographic technique that could be said to have prompted later developments leading to the ubiquitous image-making culture that we often take for granted today.
Also see article on Wikipedia
.
Aug. 19, 1839: Photography Goes Open Source
go to article
go to slideshow
An interesting summary of that historic (though not the first photographic process) but short-lived photographic technique that could be said to have prompted later developments leading to the ubiquitous image-making culture that we often take for granted today.
Also see article on Wikipedia
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Labels:
technical art history,
technology
from The New York Times -
Cinnamon Is Key Ingredient in Anti-Mold Wrapper
go to article
Maybe this technology (derived from ancient knowledge) could be made to work for a larger capacity - such as cupboards and display cases within museums and collections - if the downside of an "aroma transfer" could be solved.
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Cinnamon Is Key Ingredient in Anti-Mold Wrapper
go to article
Maybe this technology (derived from ancient knowledge) could be made to work for a larger capacity - such as cupboards and display cases within museums and collections - if the downside of an "aroma transfer" could be solved.
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from The Guardian -
Street art: Scribbles behind the wardrobe
go to article
from Bloomberg -
Scrub Sao Paulo's Graffiti? Not So Fast, London's Tate Says
go to article
Yet another indication the graffiti art is moving main-stream, thus worthy of all the worries and concerns associated with its preservation - and even restoration.
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Street art: Scribbles behind the wardrobe
go to article
from Bloomberg -
Scrub Sao Paulo's Graffiti? Not So Fast, London's Tate Says
go to article
Yet another indication the graffiti art is moving main-stream, thus worthy of all the worries and concerns associated with its preservation - and even restoration.
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from BLDG BLOG -
Library of Dust
go to article
A heady mix of ideas related to art, photography, chemistry and a dash of history and preservation. Not the usual post about heritage but definitely worth a ponder - and the disturbingly beautiful photos are to be enjoyed.
.
Library of Dust
go to article
A heady mix of ideas related to art, photography, chemistry and a dash of history and preservation. Not the usual post about heritage but definitely worth a ponder - and the disturbingly beautiful photos are to be enjoyed.
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from The Wall Street Journal -
Big Artists, Big Camera: Not a Typical Polaroid
go to article
An interesting development following the intention of Polaroid to cease production of its instantmatic film. Perhaps, it takes the exclusivity of art-making (and a soaring price-tag does help in the process) to stir interest in the continuation and preservation of the technology, albeit with private funding.
Separately, taking issue with the concluding paragraph:
Big Artists, Big Camera: Not a Typical Polaroid
go to article
An interesting development following the intention of Polaroid to cease production of its instantmatic film. Perhaps, it takes the exclusivity of art-making (and a soaring price-tag does help in the process) to stir interest in the continuation and preservation of the technology, albeit with private funding.
Separately, taking issue with the concluding paragraph:
"Only the Polaroid process can guarantee that the picture you see is identical to the subject that stood before the camera. The 20x24, a lovely, archaic piece of technology, preserves the one form of photography you can trust."This must stem from a philosophical misunderstanding - which is that even if there is extreme fidelity in the transfer of image, the very act of cropping or framing renders the representation, at best, a proxy for but never identical to "reality".
from Culture Grrl -
LA MOCA's Vuitton-Murakami Morass (and Brooklyn's non-response)
go to article
When a museum become a mere (pretentious) shopfront - that's when everyone should go to a real shopping mall and stop wasting time immersing in a "life-style hub".
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LA MOCA's Vuitton-Murakami Morass (and Brooklyn's non-response)
go to article
When a museum become a mere (pretentious) shopfront - that's when everyone should go to a real shopping mall and stop wasting time immersing in a "life-style hub".
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from Inside Higher Ed -
At Libraries, Taking the (Really) Long View
go to article
A succinct account of current challenges facing the preservation of digital records - and some tentative solutions ahead. Of interest is the trend towards an "open-source" approach, in which the inner workings of a project is freely communicated and with it the advance permission to "tinker" and improve upon by someone else. Such an "open-source" approach would also be a long-term viable solution for preservation work as a whole.
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At Libraries, Taking the (Really) Long View
go to article
A succinct account of current challenges facing the preservation of digital records - and some tentative solutions ahead. Of interest is the trend towards an "open-source" approach, in which the inner workings of a project is freely communicated and with it the advance permission to "tinker" and improve upon by someone else. Such an "open-source" approach would also be a long-term viable solution for preservation work as a whole.
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from Museum -
Rethinking the Rembrandt Rule
go to article
When museums have monopoly on preservation standards, then the "tyranny of collections" can and does arise to the detriment of preservation in general:
.
Rethinking the Rembrandt Rule
go to article
When museums have monopoly on preservation standards, then the "tyranny of collections" can and does arise to the detriment of preservation in general:
"Noting that historic sites have borrowed many standards and practices from the broader museum community, many attendees argued that strict adherence to these practices often undermines creativity and sustainability. They suggested that new standards of stewardship for historic sites should be modeled to reflect their distinct nature."This note of caution should also be applied to contemporary collections when materials and techniques do not fall within the same paradigm as Old Masters paintings.
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from The New York Times -
Tall, Dark and Fragile
go to article
go to slide-show
The culmination of 8 years of research in an exhibition and perhaps a bit more technical information to go by, in so far as art conservation decisions are concern. However, to borrow a phrase from Einstein, the "perfection of means" does not necessarily bring us closer to the goal:
Tall, Dark and Fragile
go to article
go to slide-show
The culmination of 8 years of research in an exhibition and perhaps a bit more technical information to go by, in so far as art conservation decisions are concern. However, to borrow a phrase from Einstein, the "perfection of means" does not necessarily bring us closer to the goal:
"[...] Reinhardt made himself readily available to repair paintings, or substitute fresh ones if necessary. When he offered to replace a damaged black painting in the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, curators balked. But we want our painting, they said. So battles over authenticity — over what constituted an original Reinhardt, or a particular Reinhardt, or an imperfect-but-acceptable Reinhardt — began during his lifetime and have grown knottier since."
from BBC News -
X-rays reveal Van Gogh portrait
go to article
go to scientific paper
An interesting (but terribly expensive, surely) technique to use x-ray fluorescence mapping to create an image overlay.
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X-rays reveal Van Gogh portrait
go to article
go to scientific paper
An interesting (but terribly expensive, surely) technique to use x-ray fluorescence mapping to create an image overlay.
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Labels:
science,
technical art history
from The Bostn Globe -
Monet? Gauguin? Using art to make better doctors
go to article
If the trend is to use art to sharpen observational skills of doctors and diagnosticians, then what should art conservators be looking at to sharpen theirs?
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Monet? Gauguin? Using art to make better doctors
go to article
If the trend is to use art to sharpen observational skills of doctors and diagnosticians, then what should art conservators be looking at to sharpen theirs?
.
from The Guardian -
Global touring takes its toll on Picasso picture
go to article
Oops! There goes another Warhol - the art that can't be moved
go to article
from CultureGrrl -
Guernica's Condition: Robust or Fragile?
go to article
The limits placed on the protection of artwork during travel and transfer have always been issues of resources and contestation of wills. Using scientific methods and studies to justify the refusal of a loan may in turn engender the use of advances and innovation in technology to counter objections to the loan. This cycle of ever-increasing elaborate technical solutions does nothing to address the imbalance and complexity of power relations between institutions whenever a loan is initiated.
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Global touring takes its toll on Picasso picture
go to article
Oops! There goes another Warhol - the art that can't be moved
go to article
from CultureGrrl -
Guernica's Condition: Robust or Fragile?
go to article
The limits placed on the protection of artwork during travel and transfer have always been issues of resources and contestation of wills. Using scientific methods and studies to justify the refusal of a loan may in turn engender the use of advances and innovation in technology to counter objections to the loan. This cycle of ever-increasing elaborate technical solutions does nothing to address the imbalance and complexity of power relations between institutions whenever a loan is initiated.
.
from The New York Times -
In Ancient Alleys, Modern Comforts
go to article
Lost in the New Beijing: The Old Neighborhood
go to article
Preservation of the historic urban fabric has a new "threat" - gentrification. This new problem points to the necessity (or dilemma) of integrating the preservation of both the tangible and intangible aspects of heritage.
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In Ancient Alleys, Modern Comforts
go to article
Lost in the New Beijing: The Old Neighborhood
go to article
Preservation of the historic urban fabric has a new "threat" - gentrification. This new problem points to the necessity (or dilemma) of integrating the preservation of both the tangible and intangible aspects of heritage.
"As more and more money is poured into elaborate renovations, the phenomenon is not only draining these neighborhoods of their character but also threatening to erase an entire way of life. "Is preserving something better than loosing everything?
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from The Guardian -
Cherish our museums. They see the bigger, civic picture
go to article
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Cherish our museums. They see the bigger, civic picture
go to article
"[I]nstitutions' identities go deeper even than their collections, their buildings and their directors - they encompass the very principles on which the museums were founded."The difference may come down to public funding versus private money. Nevertheless, the larger issue is that patronage determines outcome - regardless of the age we live in.
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from The New York Times -
Behind Walls of Warehouses, a Trove of Artwork
go to article
This could be the future of techncial museum services ...
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Behind Walls of Warehouses, a Trove of Artwork
go to article
This could be the future of techncial museum services ...
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from Bloomberg -
Berlin's Weimar-Era Housing Joins Pyramids as UN Heritage Site
go to article
go to images
Perhaps serious heritage preservation has its limits in terms of accommodating day-to-day living:
Berlin's Weimar-Era Housing Joins Pyramids as UN Heritage Site
go to article
go to images
Perhaps serious heritage preservation has its limits in terms of accommodating day-to-day living:
"Living in a monument has its disadvantages, Walter said. He is skeptical that UNESCO world-heritage status will be a boon for residents. And he'd love to exchange his heritage-protected wooden windows for synthetic ones less liable to rot."Then, again:
"'On the positive side, the value of the house might rise,' he said.".
from The Independent -
'Six months to save Lascaux'
go to article
An extreme situation calls for extreme measure - and though the loss of a "World Heritage Site" status may be a blow of sorts in tourism terms, but it pales in comparison to the actual loss of the historic site due to uncontrolled environmental conditions - both natural and man-made.
Also see earlier post here.
.
'Six months to save Lascaux'
go to article
An extreme situation calls for extreme measure - and though the loss of a "World Heritage Site" status may be a blow of sorts in tourism terms, but it pales in comparison to the actual loss of the historic site due to uncontrolled environmental conditions - both natural and man-made.
Also see earlier post here.
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from The Art Newspaper -
Archaeological sites in south Iraq have not been looted, say experts
go to article
from The New Scientist -
Archaeologists to refuse help over possible Iran strike
go to article
Two contrasting perspectives - but the larger issue may be that in all conflicts, heritage preservation takes a beating.
In the report from Art Newspaper, although no evidence of further looting was found since the Iraq invasion, the report did note that damage did occur as a direct result of the invasion (carried out by the armed forces of both sides of the conflict). The seeming "callousness" of the archaeologists cited in the second report in New Scientist is perhaps more understandable in light of this.
In any case, the problem is not with the archaeologists but with politicians behaving as tyrants.
.
Archaeological sites in south Iraq have not been looted, say experts
go to article
from The New Scientist -
Archaeologists to refuse help over possible Iran strike
go to article
Two contrasting perspectives - but the larger issue may be that in all conflicts, heritage preservation takes a beating.
In the report from Art Newspaper, although no evidence of further looting was found since the Iraq invasion, the report did note that damage did occur as a direct result of the invasion (carried out by the armed forces of both sides of the conflict). The seeming "callousness" of the archaeologists cited in the second report in New Scientist is perhaps more understandable in light of this.
In any case, the problem is not with the archaeologists but with politicians behaving as tyrants.
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from Yahoo! News -
Music lovers rediscover the timbre of turntable
go to article
When there is such a group as "Vinyl Preservation Society of Idaho", it must be a sure sign that vinyl discs are on their way back for sure! Also see earlier post here.
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Music lovers rediscover the timbre of turntable
go to article
When there is such a group as "Vinyl Preservation Society of Idaho", it must be a sure sign that vinyl discs are on their way back for sure! Also see earlier post here.
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from The New York Times -
Buddha’s Caves
go to article
Over the years, progress on the preservation of the once sacred caves can only be termed as patient - thanks in part to the largess of the Getty Foundation, the work of the Getty Conservation Institute and commitment of the Chinese government. But the singular, and in no way unique, problem persists:
Buddha’s Caves
go to article
Over the years, progress on the preservation of the once sacred caves can only be termed as patient - thanks in part to the largess of the Getty Foundation, the work of the Getty Conservation Institute and commitment of the Chinese government. But the singular, and in no way unique, problem persists:
"The question of access versus preservation is a poignant one and is by no means confined to Mogaoku. It applies to many fragile monuments."and
"The impact has been significant. The risk of direct contact with art is somewhat reduced by the installation of transparent screens, but the physical degradation caused by fluctuating atmospheric conditions — humid to dry to humid again — is acute. Although no one is saying so, it is possible that without major change, all the caves will eventually have to be closed to the public.".
from The Art Newspaper -
Can past nuclear explosions help detect forgeries?
go to article
It seems like a poetic inversion to determine present-day forgeries using an indelible historic mistake of the modern era - that of the nuclear mushroom cloud. Picking up minute radioactive traces could indicate a post Second World War provenance. However, would the reverse be true - i.e. the absence of such radioactive traces be deterministic of a provenance that predates World War Two?
.
Can past nuclear explosions help detect forgeries?
go to article
It seems like a poetic inversion to determine present-day forgeries using an indelible historic mistake of the modern era - that of the nuclear mushroom cloud. Picking up minute radioactive traces could indicate a post Second World War provenance. However, would the reverse be true - i.e. the absence of such radioactive traces be deterministic of a provenance that predates World War Two?
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from The Guardian -
Greenaway's hi-tech gadgetry highlights da Vinci for the laptop generation
go to article
go to images
go to interview
go to blog post
In a surprising but triumphant reversal of an earlier decision to stop the show (see earlier post), this must surely go down in (art) history as a definitive moment of our times.
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Greenaway's hi-tech gadgetry highlights da Vinci for the laptop generation
go to article
go to images
go to interview
go to blog post
In a surprising but triumphant reversal of an earlier decision to stop the show (see earlier post), this must surely go down in (art) history as a definitive moment of our times.
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from The Guardian -
Radio-carbon tests reveal true age of Rome's she-wolf - and she's a relative youngster
go to article
Perhaps an embarrassment for the discipline of art history - but it took the combined eye and mind of an art historian and restorer, Anna Maria Carruba, to make a case against the attribution of such an iconic statue which is now proven by scientific means.
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Radio-carbon tests reveal true age of Rome's she-wolf - and she's a relative youngster
go to article
Perhaps an embarrassment for the discipline of art history - but it took the combined eye and mind of an art historian and restorer, Anna Maria Carruba, to make a case against the attribution of such an iconic statue which is now proven by scientific means.
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Labels:
science,
technical art history
from CultureGrrl -
Towards a Ceasefire in the Antiquities Wars: The Next Step
go to part 1
go to part 2
A clear-headed set of suggestions to mitigate the issue of repatriation of illicitly obtained cultural artefacts - even for those that fall outside of recent guidelines. This is in contrast to proclamations of universal history and responsible custodianship, often proffered as a "right" to hold onto cultural artefacts indefinitely.
.
Towards a Ceasefire in the Antiquities Wars: The Next Step
go to part 1
go to part 2
A clear-headed set of suggestions to mitigate the issue of repatriation of illicitly obtained cultural artefacts - even for those that fall outside of recent guidelines. This is in contrast to proclamations of universal history and responsible custodianship, often proffered as a "right" to hold onto cultural artefacts indefinitely.
.
from The New York Times -
Microbes Eating Away at Pieces of History
go to article
Although not a new phenomena, the biodeterioration of stones is made worse in recent times:
.
Microbes Eating Away at Pieces of History
go to article
Although not a new phenomena, the biodeterioration of stones is made worse in recent times:
" 'One of the recent discoveries that is of concern is that increased air pollution can sometimes increase biodeterioration,' said Eric Doehne, a scientist at the Getty Conservation Institute."And sometimes, conservation treatment efforts unwittingly make things worse:
"Biodegradable polymers used to consolidate the stones of Mayan ruins in Mexico, for example, created conditions ripe for damaging microbes."Control measures that were mentioned, included specially formulated biocides, anoxic treatment using Argon gas and goof old-fashion regular maintenance.
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from The Guardian -
Run-down heritage sites embarrass the Greeks
go to article
Interesting take on the tussle between tourism and heritage preservtion - and in this instance, what could well be a strategy of limiting excessive exposure to human traffic is being cast as negligence and incompetence, rightly or wrongly, together with other short-comings.
.
Run-down heritage sites embarrass the Greeks
go to article
Interesting take on the tussle between tourism and heritage preservtion - and in this instance, what could well be a strategy of limiting excessive exposure to human traffic is being cast as negligence and incompetence, rightly or wrongly, together with other short-comings.
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from The Independent -
Rock concerts 'add years' to artworks
go to article
It is unfortunate that the limitations of newspaper reporting is such that the lay-person would probably think that only rock concerts are detrimental to the physical stability and preservation of fragile historic artefacts. There must be thousand of other equally hazardous, if not more frequent, threats that generate excessive vibrations.
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Rock concerts 'add years' to artworks
go to article
It is unfortunate that the limitations of newspaper reporting is such that the lay-person would probably think that only rock concerts are detrimental to the physical stability and preservation of fragile historic artefacts. There must be thousand of other equally hazardous, if not more frequent, threats that generate excessive vibrations.
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from National Public Radio -
How to Make a Painting Last Forever
go to web-page (to listen to recorded programme, 23 min 15 sec)
The exaggeration is probably the handiwork of a copy editor, but still a reasonably good programme in raising awareness of preservation issues amongst the general listener.
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How to Make a Painting Last Forever
go to web-page (to listen to recorded programme, 23 min 15 sec)
The exaggeration is probably the handiwork of a copy editor, but still a reasonably good programme in raising awareness of preservation issues amongst the general listener.
.
from Technology Review -
Paper Gets a Nano Makeover
go to article
An improvement on a natural material by way of nanotechnology and material engineering. With such improved strength and durability:
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Paper Gets a Nano Makeover
go to article
An improvement on a natural material by way of nanotechnology and material engineering. With such improved strength and durability:
"The nanopaper is seven times stronger and two to three times as stretchy as conventional paper."Would a paper conservator's job be different in time to come?
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from The Getty Conservation institute -
Emergency Management
go to contents
go to newsletter (PDF, 4.3 Mb)
A timely look at the role of conservation in the larger context of ensuring adequate preparations for handling disasters - man-made or otherwise.
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Emergency Management
go to contents
go to newsletter (PDF, 4.3 Mb)
A timely look at the role of conservation in the larger context of ensuring adequate preparations for handling disasters - man-made or otherwise.
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from The Art Newspaper -
Cypriot wall paintings get HIV test
go to article
A cost-effective method of using a widely available diagnostic tool to determine the presence and composition of protein-based materials. For more details, see PDF article here and also the project web-site at the Getty Conservation Institute.
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Cypriot wall paintings get HIV test
go to article
A cost-effective method of using a widely available diagnostic tool to determine the presence and composition of protein-based materials. For more details, see PDF article here and also the project web-site at the Getty Conservation Institute.
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from The New York Times -
Antiquities, the World Is Your Homeland
go to article
from Culture Grrl -
The Debate Over "Context": From Elgin to Eakins
go to article
from The Art Newspaper -
Do we really want the freer circulation of cultural goods?
go to article
Three slightly different perspectives on the repatriation of cultural materials to supposed (modern) countries of origin - steming, directly or indrectly, from James Cuno's latest polemical book, Who Owns Antiquity? Museums and the Battle Over Our Ancient Heritage.
As much as the issue is seen as in ideological and political terms, the one dimension that somehow escaped critical examination is the economical aspect - of property, ownership and exploitation rights.
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Antiquities, the World Is Your Homeland
go to article
from Culture Grrl -
The Debate Over "Context": From Elgin to Eakins
go to article
from The Art Newspaper -
Do we really want the freer circulation of cultural goods?
go to article
Three slightly different perspectives on the repatriation of cultural materials to supposed (modern) countries of origin - steming, directly or indrectly, from James Cuno's latest polemical book, Who Owns Antiquity? Museums and the Battle Over Our Ancient Heritage.
As much as the issue is seen as in ideological and political terms, the one dimension that somehow escaped critical examination is the economical aspect - of property, ownership and exploitation rights.
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from The Guardian -
Last Supper light show faces axe by Milan mayor
go to article
A decision that is obviously politically motivated rather than scientifically grounded - then again, which cultural or heritage decision at the macro-level isn't.
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Last Supper light show faces axe by Milan mayor
go to article
A decision that is obviously politically motivated rather than scientifically grounded - then again, which cultural or heritage decision at the macro-level isn't.
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from The Christian Science Monitor -
Iraq's antiquities garner international attention
go to article
The worsening situation in Iraq as widespread plundering of historical and archaeological sites continues and protection measures become increasingly ineffective.
Also see earlier posts on the Iraq situation.
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Iraq's antiquities garner international attention
go to article
The worsening situation in Iraq as widespread plundering of historical and archaeological sites continues and protection measures become increasingly ineffective.
Also see earlier posts on the Iraq situation.
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from The Plain Dealer -
Cleveland war memorial statue's true colors in crosshairs of controversy
go to article
It must be a (sad) sign of the times when conservators, who are suppose to be all working towards the good of cultural and historical preservation, go for each other's throats.
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Cleveland war memorial statue's true colors in crosshairs of controversy
go to article
It must be a (sad) sign of the times when conservators, who are suppose to be all working towards the good of cultural and historical preservation, go for each other's throats.
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from The New York Times -
Project Digitizes Works From the Golden Age of Timbuktu
go to article
Owing to the predominantly dry conditions of the desert, manuscripts were largely intact even as time takes its effect on the historic materials. With the latest digitisation project, hopefully these important texts can withstand future ravages of time.
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Project Digitizes Works From the Golden Age of Timbuktu
go to article
Owing to the predominantly dry conditions of the desert, manuscripts were largely intact even as time takes its effect on the historic materials. With the latest digitisation project, hopefully these important texts can withstand future ravages of time.
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from CultureGrrl -
Lascaux Walls Being Scraped, Watchdog Group Alleges
go to blog post
A disheartening update on the state of preservation at the Lascaux caves, which holds the earliest known "prehistoric artwork". The sorry affair seems to stem from the result a combination of unfavourable environment conditions, sluggish bureaucracy and misguided advice.
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Lascaux Walls Being Scraped, Watchdog Group Alleges
go to blog post
A disheartening update on the state of preservation at the Lascaux caves, which holds the earliest known "prehistoric artwork". The sorry affair seems to stem from the result a combination of unfavourable environment conditions, sluggish bureaucracy and misguided advice.
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from The Evening Standard -
Canterbury Cathedral is falling down
go to article
An interesting juxtaposition of the cost of preservation and the rising fortunes of contemporary art. Arguing that some of the money circulated in the art market should be channelled to the preservation of historic sites, which undoubtedly will outlast the artworks being collected and traded.
Also see earier post on the dire need of urgent preservation work on the Canterbury Cathedral.
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Canterbury Cathedral is falling down
go to article
An interesting juxtaposition of the cost of preservation and the rising fortunes of contemporary art. Arguing that some of the money circulated in the art market should be channelled to the preservation of historic sites, which undoubtedly will outlast the artworks being collected and traded.
Also see earier post on the dire need of urgent preservation work on the Canterbury Cathedral.
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from Arts Management -
The US Art Museum Management Leadership Gap
go to article
download article as PDF (90.7 kb)
A short but insightful article on the looming crises in museum leadership in the US, which is also a larger world-wide phenomena in this day of global and cultural connectedness.
Of particular note would be the 2 consequences highlighted that are a direct result of this leadership crunch - high turnover of museum directors - playing out a version of leadership "musical chairs" - and high compensation packages as financial lure - and we known where that can lead, if we remember painful lessons from the Getty and the Smithsonian.
Also see earlier post here.
.
The US Art Museum Management Leadership Gap
go to article
download article as PDF (90.7 kb)
A short but insightful article on the looming crises in museum leadership in the US, which is also a larger world-wide phenomena in this day of global and cultural connectedness.
Of particular note would be the 2 consequences highlighted that are a direct result of this leadership crunch - high turnover of museum directors - playing out a version of leadership "musical chairs" - and high compensation packages as financial lure - and we known where that can lead, if we remember painful lessons from the Getty and the Smithsonian.
Also see earlier post here.
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from The Los Angeles Times -
Conservators face issues in preserving video
go to article
Another update on the issue of preserving time-based media art. Mention is also made of the earlier conference held at the Getty Conservation Institute.
Also see earlier recent post here.
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Conservators face issues in preserving video
go to article
Another update on the issue of preserving time-based media art. Mention is also made of the earlier conference held at the Getty Conservation Institute.
Also see earlier recent post here.
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from The New York Times -
An Auction of New Chinese Art Leaves Disjointed Noses in Its Wake
go to article
This is an extended article on the earlier news, as reported in The Art Newspaper, in which a "collection" of contemporary Chinese art were toured and then sold via auction.
All this took place seemingly without the knowledge of the participating artists, who believed that they were selling their works to a single collector who wished to "donate" his collection to several museums afterwards, and the museums which agreed to act as venues for what can only be termed as an outright and cynical marketing ploy.
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An Auction of New Chinese Art Leaves Disjointed Noses in Its Wake
go to article
This is an extended article on the earlier news, as reported in The Art Newspaper, in which a "collection" of contemporary Chinese art were toured and then sold via auction.
All this took place seemingly without the knowledge of the participating artists, who believed that they were selling their works to a single collector who wished to "donate" his collection to several museums afterwards, and the museums which agreed to act as venues for what can only be termed as an outright and cynical marketing ploy.
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from Time -
Graffiti 2.0: Gone by Morning
go to article
go to video
A new way of doing "graffiti" that leaves no traces - physically. And if this is accepted as art, its preservation - or not - would be an interesting issue.
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Graffiti 2.0: Gone by Morning
go to article
go to video
A new way of doing "graffiti" that leaves no traces - physically. And if this is accepted as art, its preservation - or not - would be an interesting issue.
.
from Times Online -
Why is the Imperial War Museum celebrating James Bond?
go to article
A cutting commentary on lazy thinking that museums risk in the pursuit of populist sentiments, often mistaken for democratic access. Being popular and being intellectually rigorous are not mutually exclusive domains. However the temptation is to focus on one aspect and ignore the other in most museum programming exercises due to one (lame) excuse or another - and free admission being one such excuse.
.
Why is the Imperial War Museum celebrating James Bond?
go to article
A cutting commentary on lazy thinking that museums risk in the pursuit of populist sentiments, often mistaken for democratic access. Being popular and being intellectually rigorous are not mutually exclusive domains. However the temptation is to focus on one aspect and ignore the other in most museum programming exercises due to one (lame) excuse or another - and free admission being one such excuse.
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from The New York Times -
A Gigantic Job for Window Fixers
go to article
go to slideshow
A nice account of the daunting task of restoring stained glass windows that are exposed to the weather. The list of problems to overcome mentioned:
.
A Gigantic Job for Window Fixers
go to article
go to slideshow
A nice account of the daunting task of restoring stained glass windows that are exposed to the weather. The list of problems to overcome mentioned:
"The lead has deteriorated from thermal expansion, corroding in whitish, fuzzy patches that are to lead as rust is to iron. The glass is cracking as well, causing dirty-water leaks that have congealed into a hard crust through the years.Yet after the restoration work is completed, the stained glass windows are: "expected to last 100 years. Then it’ll be time for the next restoration.”
Not to mention sagging: Some windows have bowed out after years of expanding and contracting in the sun.
What is more, in 1982 a protective exterior glazing believed at the time to be useful for energy conservation was installed at St. Thomas, as in hundreds of other churches. But the glazing trapped interior condensation and heat, which accelerated the deterioration of the lead."
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from The Art Newspaper -
Time-based art needs plenty of tender, loving care
go to article
A timely reminder article on the complex issues encountered in the preservation of media art. Also see previous papers by Pip Laurenson published online by Tate:
"Developing Strategies for the Conservation of Installations Incorporating Time-based Media: Gary Hill's Between Cinema and a Hard Place"
go to paper
"The Management of Display Equipment in Time-based Media Installations"
go to paper
"Authenticity, Change and Loss in the Conservation of Time-Based Media Installations"
go to paper
.
Time-based art needs plenty of tender, loving care
go to article
A timely reminder article on the complex issues encountered in the preservation of media art. Also see previous papers by Pip Laurenson published online by Tate:
"Developing Strategies for the Conservation of Installations Incorporating Time-based Media: Gary Hill's Between Cinema and a Hard Place"
go to paper
"The Management of Display Equipment in Time-based Media Installations"
go to paper
"Authenticity, Change and Loss in the Conservation of Time-Based Media Installations"
go to paper
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from e-conservation -
Issue 4
browse content
download issue (PDF format, 10.8 Mb)
Just published online. A wide-ranging selection of articles, from conference review to technical case studies to broad issues in preventive conservation and preservation ethics.
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Issue 4
browse content
download issue (PDF format, 10.8 Mb)
Just published online. A wide-ranging selection of articles, from conference review to technical case studies to broad issues in preventive conservation and preservation ethics.
.
Labels:
conservation,
heritage,
preservation
from San Francisco Chronicle -
Saving the soul of art
go to article
A strong stomach for art conservation
go to article
go to slideshow
2 related reviews on the recently concluded conference at the Getty Conservation Institute (see earlier post).
(Thanks to Modern Art Notes for the prior post.)
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Saving the soul of art
go to article
A strong stomach for art conservation
go to article
go to slideshow
2 related reviews on the recently concluded conference at the Getty Conservation Institute (see earlier post).
(Thanks to Modern Art Notes for the prior post.)
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from The Guardian -
Exhibition exposes modern tragedy of Babylon
go to article
A principled and courageous call which rises above politics. The unsaid tragedy here would be that such an act of ethical leadership shown by the British Museum would see few fellow travellers, if any at all - by choice or due to cowardice.
See also earlier posts.
.
Exhibition exposes modern tragedy of Babylon
go to article
A principled and courageous call which rises above politics. The unsaid tragedy here would be that such an act of ethical leadership shown by the British Museum would see few fellow travellers, if any at all - by choice or due to cowardice.
See also earlier posts.
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Labels:
heritage,
museum,
preservation
from The New York Times -
Past Catches Up With the Queen of Roads
go to article
A sad account of culminated neglect and bureaucratic conflict that now threatens the preservation of a uniquely ancient Roman site.
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Past Catches Up With the Queen of Roads
go to article
A sad account of culminated neglect and bureaucratic conflict that now threatens the preservation of a uniquely ancient Roman site.
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from BLDGBLOG -
The mathematics of preservation and the future of urban ruins
go to blog post
An interesting summary which ranged from the preservation of infrastructure - specifically elevated highway junctions - to the idea of stabilised ruin as a preservation strategy to the deliberate design, or fossil-value, of the urban-scape to look good even when derelict. Hence, the idea that preservation is integrated into urban design right from the start and could require minimal human intervention in the long-run.
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The mathematics of preservation and the future of urban ruins
go to blog post
An interesting summary which ranged from the preservation of infrastructure - specifically elevated highway junctions - to the idea of stabilised ruin as a preservation strategy to the deliberate design, or fossil-value, of the urban-scape to look good even when derelict. Hence, the idea that preservation is integrated into urban design right from the start and could require minimal human intervention in the long-run.
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from The Art Newspaper -
Museums should beware of being used as marketing tools
go to article
Show and sell: Sotheby’s announces auction of Chinese art just two days after museum display
go to article
With the art market hotting up, the art gallery ecosystem becomes increasingly commonplace - and in order to secure a higher premium, (publicly-funded) art museums are cleverly utilised as showcase venues, albeit tacitly or unwittingly (on the part of the museum).
As the first article admonish: "museums need, axiomatically, to be able to make decisions about acquisitions, whether bought or donated, and about the choice of works to borrow and display, free from pressure from third parties who may stand to gain from any increase in their value or the value of related works."
And this needs to be so ont he principle that public monies should not be used for private gains. Further along: "museums, in protecting the public interest and their long term reputations, have a responsibility to seek and secure firmer assurances about intentions than they currently do—and not to be (or appear to be) suckered by lenders."
Walking straight into a minefield of conflict-of-interests and appearing stupid, to top it off - how far down the road of professional incompetency can museums afford to go?
.
Museums should beware of being used as marketing tools
go to article
Show and sell: Sotheby’s announces auction of Chinese art just two days after museum display
go to article
With the art market hotting up, the art gallery ecosystem becomes increasingly commonplace - and in order to secure a higher premium, (publicly-funded) art museums are cleverly utilised as showcase venues, albeit tacitly or unwittingly (on the part of the museum).
As the first article admonish: "museums need, axiomatically, to be able to make decisions about acquisitions, whether bought or donated, and about the choice of works to borrow and display, free from pressure from third parties who may stand to gain from any increase in their value or the value of related works."
And this needs to be so ont he principle that public monies should not be used for private gains. Further along: "museums, in protecting the public interest and their long term reputations, have a responsibility to seek and secure firmer assurances about intentions than they currently do—and not to be (or appear to be) suckered by lenders."
Walking straight into a minefield of conflict-of-interests and appearing stupid, to top it off - how far down the road of professional incompetency can museums afford to go?
.
from The Christian Science Monitor -
Museums sprout 'green' architecture
go to article
Early signs of a growing trend - which can only be a natural progression for those intimately involved in educating the future by conserving (in all sense of the word) the past.
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Museums sprout 'green' architecture
go to article
Early signs of a growing trend - which can only be a natural progression for those intimately involved in educating the future by conserving (in all sense of the word) the past.
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from CultureGrrl -
New Acropolis Museum: Marring the Marbles
go to article
When aesthetics of display and the pragmatics of moral force clash, either one must inevitably give. It is perhaps indicative of the larger context that aesthetics prevail - perhaps a symptom of the museum having become detached from its social moorings and is striving instead to please rather than to raise uncomfortable questions.
Also see previous posts here.
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New Acropolis Museum: Marring the Marbles
go to article
When aesthetics of display and the pragmatics of moral force clash, either one must inevitably give. It is perhaps indicative of the larger context that aesthetics prevail - perhaps a symptom of the museum having become detached from its social moorings and is striving instead to please rather than to raise uncomfortable questions.
Also see previous posts here.
.
from The Art Newspaper -
Over $1m needed to keep developers away from the Lightning Field
go to article
With some of these iconic land art pieces becoming historical, would it not make better sense to see them as (art) historical sites and accord them the necessary protection (from a national or international perspective) as one would do for other older cultural and natural sites?
Also see earlier post on the threats facing Smithson's Spiral Jetty.
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Over $1m needed to keep developers away from the Lightning Field
go to article
With some of these iconic land art pieces becoming historical, would it not make better sense to see them as (art) historical sites and accord them the necessary protection (from a national or international perspective) as one would do for other older cultural and natural sites?
Also see earlier post on the threats facing Smithson's Spiral Jetty.
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from The Guardian -
Agent provocateur
go to article
An interesting feature on the new director at the National Gallery in London. It is always nice to read about a museum director with guts and backbone in equal measure:
.
Agent provocateur
go to article
An interesting feature on the new director at the National Gallery in London. It is always nice to read about a museum director with guts and backbone in equal measure:
"We won't put on exhibitions just because they will be popular, and we'll do them with consideration of the needs of the permanent collection."Hear, hear ...!
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from The New York Times -
Plans to Mix Oil Drilling and Art Clash in Utah
go to article
An extended article on the earlier news of plans to allow oil drilling within the immediate vicinity of Robert Smithson's "Spiral Jetty". See earlier post here.
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Plans to Mix Oil Drilling and Art Clash in Utah
go to article
An extended article on the earlier news of plans to allow oil drilling within the immediate vicinity of Robert Smithson's "Spiral Jetty". See earlier post here.
.
from Archaeology -
Why do Virtual Heritage?
go to article
Computer rendering of archaeological sites and finds have great potential as an effective educational tool in facilitating the understanding and appreciation of remote and often inaccessible physical sites.
However, the article bemoans the slow adoption of such a technology within the archaeology field by the professionals themselves, citing the long-standing preference for archaeologists to draw or photograph their finds in a flat 2-dimensional manner.
Perhaps the reason that archaeologists still prefer the pencil and paper method of recording is that the actual act of sketching out the details somehow forces the brain to observe intensely the crucial details of an artefact and hence allowing for a more vivid recollection. This is surely something that cannot be replicated by all the amount of virtual reality wizardry combined.
.
Why do Virtual Heritage?
go to article
Computer rendering of archaeological sites and finds have great potential as an effective educational tool in facilitating the understanding and appreciation of remote and often inaccessible physical sites.
However, the article bemoans the slow adoption of such a technology within the archaeology field by the professionals themselves, citing the long-standing preference for archaeologists to draw or photograph their finds in a flat 2-dimensional manner.
Perhaps the reason that archaeologists still prefer the pencil and paper method of recording is that the actual act of sketching out the details somehow forces the brain to observe intensely the crucial details of an artefact and hence allowing for a more vivid recollection. This is surely something that cannot be replicated by all the amount of virtual reality wizardry combined.
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Labels:
digital preservation,
heritage
from Museum of Modern Art -
Color Chart: The Reinvention of Color, 1950 to Today
go to online exhibition
An interesting snippet found in the midst of an audio clip on Sherrie Levine's recent work, in which she got a paintings conservator to execute a series of her colour-paintings. The reason given was that she thought the conservator would know more about painting her work in a proper manner than she did. Too bad that the conservator was not identified nor properly credited.
Go to audio clip here.
In any case, the exhibition is an extremely interesting one with some surprises and unexpected finds. Find out more about the exhibition here.
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Color Chart: The Reinvention of Color, 1950 to Today
go to online exhibition
An interesting snippet found in the midst of an audio clip on Sherrie Levine's recent work, in which she got a paintings conservator to execute a series of her colour-paintings. The reason given was that she thought the conservator would know more about painting her work in a proper manner than she did. Too bad that the conservator was not identified nor properly credited.
Go to audio clip here.
In any case, the exhibition is an extremely interesting one with some surprises and unexpected finds. Find out more about the exhibition here.
.
from The National Museum of Denmark -
Museum Microclimates
go to conference web-page
An important development in the field of preventive conservation is the control and use of enclosures to modify ambient temperature, relative humidity and pollution, so as to reduce exposure of sensitive materials to damage.
The conference papers and posters of the above conference, held late last year, are now available for downloading. The introduction summarising the conference presentations is well worth a read here. The full papers are available here (PDF format, 15 MB) while the posters are available here (PDF format, 1.7 MB).
Also thanks to Conservation DistList for the prior announcement.
.
Museum Microclimates
go to conference web-page
An important development in the field of preventive conservation is the control and use of enclosures to modify ambient temperature, relative humidity and pollution, so as to reduce exposure of sensitive materials to damage.
The conference papers and posters of the above conference, held late last year, are now available for downloading. The introduction summarising the conference presentations is well worth a read here. The full papers are available here (PDF format, 15 MB) while the posters are available here (PDF format, 1.7 MB).
Also thanks to Conservation DistList for the prior announcement.
.
Labels:
conservation,
museum,
preservation,
science
from The Wired Blog -
New CO2 Capturing Material Could Make Plants Cleaner
go to blog post
go to gallery of images
Using precisely engineered molecules with a definite structure to act as a chemical sieve so that only the target molecule (in this case, carbon dioxide) will be trapped. This principle of a chemical sieve had been used in filtration processes in the form of zeolites
However, this latest development comes from the pharmaceutical field utilising the automated and high-speed chemical screening process in the testing and selection of very specific properties of chemical products. Now, we just need a few more specific chemical sieves for the indoor pollutants that we get in museums.
.
New CO2 Capturing Material Could Make Plants Cleaner
go to blog post
go to gallery of images
Using precisely engineered molecules with a definite structure to act as a chemical sieve so that only the target molecule (in this case, carbon dioxide) will be trapped. This principle of a chemical sieve had been used in filtration processes in the form of zeolites
However, this latest development comes from the pharmaceutical field utilising the automated and high-speed chemical screening process in the testing and selection of very specific properties of chemical products. Now, we just need a few more specific chemical sieves for the indoor pollutants that we get in museums.
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from The Guardian -
Building plans give U2 hometown blues
go to article
I was digging around my backlog of e-mails and found the above rather dated news snippet, and it kind of made me sad to learn that one of my early favourite bands has got absolute no credibility in so far as heritage preservation is concerned. Maybe I have been listening to the "wrong" kind of music ... or that great music and preservation don't mix ... or that U2 is no longer great ... or all (or none) of the above.
.
Building plans give U2 hometown blues
go to article
I was digging around my backlog of e-mails and found the above rather dated news snippet, and it kind of made me sad to learn that one of my early favourite bands has got absolute no credibility in so far as heritage preservation is concerned. Maybe I have been listening to the "wrong" kind of music ... or that great music and preservation don't mix ... or that U2 is no longer great ... or all (or none) of the above.
.
Labels:
architecture conservation,
preservation
from The Guardian -
Can you do me a quick cow's head?
go to article
With more "brand-name" artists increasing their reliance on fabricators and assistants, it is important to recognise that accurate (and crucial) information about the actual making of artworks must be sought from people other than the "author" of the work - no matter what the "author" claims to know about his or her work.
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Can you do me a quick cow's head?
go to article
With more "brand-name" artists increasing their reliance on fabricators and assistants, it is important to recognise that accurate (and crucial) information about the actual making of artworks must be sought from people other than the "author" of the work - no matter what the "author" claims to know about his or her work.
.
from The New York Times -
Boot Camp for Curators Who Want the Top Job
go to article
In the increasingly complex and competitive sphere of the "museum industry", the struggle to balance core mission and necessary changes is a real one - and may be a frightening one, too. Both in the US and UK, there are already institutions and programmes which are put in place to address such a need within the profession. And let's not deceive ourselves to think that this is only a particular and unique problem of the Europeans or Americans. So when will we start addressing the problem here in Singapore?
Boot Camp for Curators Who Want the Top Job
go to article
In the increasingly complex and competitive sphere of the "museum industry", the struggle to balance core mission and necessary changes is a real one - and may be a frightening one, too. Both in the US and UK, there are already institutions and programmes which are put in place to address such a need within the profession. And let's not deceive ourselves to think that this is only a particular and unique problem of the Europeans or Americans. So when will we start addressing the problem here in Singapore?
from Emerging Technology Trends -
Free software tools for archivists
go to article
An affordable way of getting smaller collections in order (and accessible via the Internet) without being locked-down by inflexible and expensive license fees. Kudos also for getting the priorities right - long-term preservation instead of short-term commercial gains. More of such efforts would certainly be helpful overall.
.
Free software tools for archivists
go to article
An affordable way of getting smaller collections in order (and accessible via the Internet) without being locked-down by inflexible and expensive license fees. Kudos also for getting the priorities right - long-term preservation instead of short-term commercial gains. More of such efforts would certainly be helpful overall.
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from The Guardian -
The curse of the blockbuster
go to article
Can't live with them, and can't live without them. Or is it?
.
The curse of the blockbuster
go to article
Can't live with them, and can't live without them. Or is it?
"The problem is not blockbusters. It's that in London we get too many exhibitions that sound big, but in reality are very small."Substitute your favourite global city for "London" and it probably still holds true. "Primary Colours", anyone?
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from Emerging Technology Trends -
Nanotechnology-based self-cleaning fabrics
go to article
Another application of the self-cleaning technology that is based on the application of a thin coating of titanium dioxide, which breaks down organic materials in the presence of ultra-violet radiation.
Also see earlier posts:
"Self-Cleaning Tiles"
"Cleaning walls? No sweat - just add sunlight and rain"
"Eco glass cleans itself with Sun"
.
Nanotechnology-based self-cleaning fabrics
go to article
Another application of the self-cleaning technology that is based on the application of a thin coating of titanium dioxide, which breaks down organic materials in the presence of ultra-violet radiation.
Also see earlier posts:
"Self-Cleaning Tiles"
"Cleaning walls? No sweat - just add sunlight and rain"
"Eco glass cleans itself with Sun"
.
from The Guardian -
British Museum and army team up in move to rescue Iraq's heritage
go to article
As the Chinese saying goes:"Mending the fence after loosing all the sheep." Too little, too late, one might add.
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British Museum and army team up in move to rescue Iraq's heritage
go to article
As the Chinese saying goes:"Mending the fence after loosing all the sheep." Too little, too late, one might add.
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Labels:
heritage,
museum,
preservation
from Emerging Technology Trends -
Lensless camera for nanoscale imaging
go to webblog post
Taking images of individual atoms in color
go to webblog post
3-D imaging with FINCH
go to webblog post
T-rays used to reveal old hidden art
go to webblog post
Yet more updates and information on new and improved imaging technologies that have potential use in the technical exmamination and analysis of cultural heritage materials.
.
Lensless camera for nanoscale imaging
go to webblog post
Taking images of individual atoms in color
go to webblog post
3-D imaging with FINCH
go to webblog post
T-rays used to reveal old hidden art
go to webblog post
Yet more updates and information on new and improved imaging technologies that have potential use in the technical exmamination and analysis of cultural heritage materials.
.
from The Artful Manager -
Allocating that complex asset, the museum collection
go to article
A thought-provoking argument that since most museums' collections do not see the day-light of things, the conventional wisdom that museums must be predicated upon an ever-expanding collection and acquisition policy has to be considered as suspect. Alternative models of shared acquisitions and loans must be seriously explored for museums to be sustainable and viable institutions.
In a related article in the Art Newspaper, the (inevitable) trend towards private museums, at least in the US context, will eventually entail the need for reassessment and rethinking on the museum front:
And the re-thinking might already be underway in the UK, or not. See:
Allocating that complex asset, the museum collection
go to article
A thought-provoking argument that since most museums' collections do not see the day-light of things, the conventional wisdom that museums must be predicated upon an ever-expanding collection and acquisition policy has to be considered as suspect. Alternative models of shared acquisitions and loans must be seriously explored for museums to be sustainable and viable institutions.
In a related article in the Art Newspaper, the (inevitable) trend towards private museums, at least in the US context, will eventually entail the need for reassessment and rethinking on the museum front:
"As the scale and number of private art museums increases, their influence on museum practice will too, and codes of practice and policies around such issues as de-accessioning, conflict of interest policy and reciprocity in loans will come under pressure as these new institutions explore and test received wisdom and standard practices."Which may be contentious but not necessarily entirely bad.
And the re-thinking might already be underway in the UK, or not. See:
BBC News
Museums to offload unwanted items
The New York Times
British Museums Told to Clean House
The Guardian Art & Architecture Blog
What happened to civic duty?
sp!ked
Why museums should dump the ‘Disposal Toolkit’
from Materials Today -
Dark-field X-rays shed new light on structure
go to article
Another new technique in x-ray imaging which offers better contrast in detecting minute cracks and micro-structures, which otherwise do not show up on conventional x-rays. Using x-ray as an imaging tool would be useful in the technical examination of heritage artefacts. Furthermore, this new improvement could be easily adapted to existing x-ray equipment.
.
Dark-field X-rays shed new light on structure
go to article
Another new technique in x-ray imaging which offers better contrast in detecting minute cracks and micro-structures, which otherwise do not show up on conventional x-rays. Using x-ray as an imaging tool would be useful in the technical examination of heritage artefacts. Furthermore, this new improvement could be easily adapted to existing x-ray equipment.
.
from Institute for Conservation, UK -
20:20 Vision - The Conservation Workforce of the Future
go to symposium web-page
go to presentations
A brief but wide-ranging look at conservation education, training, and professional accreditation within the UK context. This holds pertinent lessons and learning points for all, if we wish to resolve the problem of long-term sustainability of the profession.
.
20:20 Vision - The Conservation Workforce of the Future
go to symposium web-page
go to presentations
A brief but wide-ranging look at conservation education, training, and professional accreditation within the UK context. This holds pertinent lessons and learning points for all, if we wish to resolve the problem of long-term sustainability of the profession.
.
from Metropolis Magazine -
Self-Cleaning Tiles
go to article
from Materials Today -
Nanoparticles help paint resist germs
go to article
The first, a self-cleaning coating on ceramics which both absorbs pollutants and breaks down organic dirt by the action of ultra-violet radiation.
Also see previous posts here and here on the same technology but applied to clear glass panels.
While the second uses the antiseptic properties of metal particles to combat the growth of disfiguring micro-organisms on painted surfaces.
Still eagerly waiting for such technologies to be transferred to outdoor sculptures or even as a protective coating on historic monuments.
.
Self-Cleaning Tiles
go to article
from Materials Today -
Nanoparticles help paint resist germs
go to article
The first, a self-cleaning coating on ceramics which both absorbs pollutants and breaks down organic dirt by the action of ultra-violet radiation.
Also see previous posts here and here on the same technology but applied to clear glass panels.
While the second uses the antiseptic properties of metal particles to combat the growth of disfiguring micro-organisms on painted surfaces.
Still eagerly waiting for such technologies to be transferred to outdoor sculptures or even as a protective coating on historic monuments.
.
from Hanging Together -
Virtual Museum Collections, 19th Century Style
go to article
An intriguing comparison of the similarities between 21st-century digital preservation strategies and 19th-century museum practices.
.
Virtual Museum Collections, 19th Century Style
go to article
An intriguing comparison of the similarities between 21st-century digital preservation strategies and 19th-century museum practices.
.
Labels:
intangible heritage,
museum,
preservation
from The Boston Globe -
Finders, keepers
go to article
A highly contentious issue for those who love and breathe museums - to return or not to return artefacts of contested provenance. One particular point made in the article by James Cuno, the current director of the Art Institute of Chicago, sets up the core assumption of this debate:
.
Finders, keepers
go to article
A highly contentious issue for those who love and breathe museums - to return or not to return artefacts of contested provenance. One particular point made in the article by James Cuno, the current director of the Art Institute of Chicago, sets up the core assumption of this debate:
"The problem with these seemingly laudable efforts, according to Cuno, is that they're not really about the artifacts, but about politics."So it comes down to "artifacts" - and by that Cuno must had meant culture, heritage and all associated lofty ideals - and "politics". Then again, is culture or heritage really void of political underpinnings and vice versa?
.
from Getty Conservation Institute -
Objects In Transition: A Cross-Disciplinary Conference on the Preservation and Study of Modern an Contemporary Art
go to conference web-page
Conservation Matters: Objects In Transition, Contemporary Voices
go to conference web-page
The GCI has put up the videos from their recent conference, which is the latest in a line of discussions around the unique and specific problems of conserving modern and contemporary artworks.
See also previous posts.
.
Objects In Transition: A Cross-Disciplinary Conference on the Preservation and Study of Modern an Contemporary Art
go to conference web-page
Conservation Matters: Objects In Transition, Contemporary Voices
go to conference web-page
The GCI has put up the videos from their recent conference, which is the latest in a line of discussions around the unique and specific problems of conserving modern and contemporary artworks.
See also previous posts.
.
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