Life Beyond The Physical Object

 

This poster explains the meaning of value-led conservation, breaking this term into easy-to-understand sections. Featuring a case study by the Pitt Rivers Museum that outlines the conservation process of Sacred Blackfoot Shirts. I have highlighted why the value-led conservation process is important to follow in the field of conservation.  

Issues in the conservation of performance art

This poster explores two key issues in the conservation of performance art: the idea of material authenticity and the notion of liminal space within the works of art. It investigates the effect of both problems, conveying how modern and contemporary performance art pieces subvert traditional modes of conservation.

 

Armed conflict poses a potentially devastating threat to precious human lives, but it destroys the cultural heritage of those human civilizations. Here we will consider 3 periods in which conservation professionals play a role in prevention, mitigation and rectification of these hazards to this heritage: Anticipation of Conflict, During Conflict and Post-Conflict.

 

Contemporary Art - Common Obstacles and Issues

This poster explores common obstacles present in conservation of contemporary artwork, by highlighting some of the techniques used, and how these can cause issues with conservation. It is important to understand these problems, to allow the field of conservation to continue to adapt and evolve alongside the ever-changing art world.

Conflict Conservation: An Ongoing Struggle, What More Can We Do?

 

Conserve From Disaster

 

This poster explores the work of heritage conservator in the aftermath of an unpredictable and uncontrollable natural disaster by selecting the Wenchuan earthquake, one of the worst earthquakes to have occurred in China's heritage concentrated lands. Post-disaster heritage conservation and reconstruction is not just the restoration and conservation of heritage buildings but a systemic project that involves the cooperation of many parties. In the midst of this, heritage conservator, as one of the parties, are bound to face multiple challenges.We will discuss three of the main challenges in this process.

Conservation through collaboration: Adding and preserving value by sharing decision-making with indigenous communities.

Participatory conservation is a methodology that seeks to involve non museum stakeholders in conservation decision making. Conservation professionals can collaborate directly with indigenous communities when looking to preserve objects originating from their cultures. This poster explores the benefits and challenges of this approach as well as two case studies. 

The Myth of Objectivity in Authenticity

 

This poster aims to illustrate the subjective nature of the idea of authenticity within the wider framework of 'classical conservation' and its focus on neutrality. By understanding that the notion of objective authenticity is an inherently flawed concept, conservators can evaluate objects and their values more truthfully and creatively. 

Minimal Intervention in Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Art Conservation

Minimal intervention is a common ethical core of conservation practice. Using case studies of a Māori Waka Taua and a Damien Hirst work, we can explore a reinterpretation of minimal intervention in two conservation disciplines.

This poster discusses how climate change affects cultural heritage. It briefly examines the new considerations conservators need to take into account, and how to mitigate the constant climate changes and possible threats they are posing to cultural heritage.  Conservators need to assess risk, prepare and coordinate communities, battle these changes and preserve heritage. 

Different Layers, Different Values and Meanings

By presenting a case study, the poster explores the values and meanings that a public monument may convey for multiple stakeholders within a particular context. It discusses how these diverse perspectives affect the decision-making process, stressing that conservation is never neutral but may favour certain views while undermining others.

In recent decades, street art has begun to occupy both public and traditional art spheres, like galleries and museums. Its dualities - illegal and legal, transient and permanent, free to be viewed or sold at art auction - challenge conservators and conservation decision-making.

With some assumptions about the ‘social good’ of heritage interventions under question, heritage professionals are adopting and adapting conflict-sensitive approaches commonly used by humanitarian/development actors. Such resources can help conservators better realise ethical and conflict-sensitive approaches to heritage interventions in fragile contexts and situate their actions within broader development interventions.

 

The Shiwan Shouxing Pottery Scuplture: Statement of Significance

This sculpture represents the deity from Daoism: Shouxing, which is a wedding gift to the owner in 1992 (the front and side view refer to figure. 1). Considering both the friend and the married couple are Cantonese, the friend chooses the pottery sculpture set that produces locally, which is the Sanxing pottery figurine set: Fuxing (fortune), Luxing (prosperity), and this sculpture, Shouxing (longevity). The sculpture was being placed on the top of the cupboard for more than a decade, and it has been placed on the cupboard for almost 20 years even after the owner has moved the house. 

Figure.1 front and side view of Shouxing

The identifiable marks from the bottom of the sculpture state the name of the maker and the name of the kiln, Shiwan (refer to Figure. 2) . This kiln was famous for lively figurine since the 6th century (Lin, 2017), and the renowned skill is also demonstrated in the Shouxing sculpture. When China met her heyday during maritime trading, Shiwan kiln has counted a part in this history, by the early Canton immigrates brought the sculpture as they brought their memory, culture with home to a new place, also their long for staying connected with the immigrant’s subcultural group (Liu, 2017). 

Figure. 2 Identifiable marks at the base of sculpture

Besides the social value from Shiwan kiln, the appearances of Shouxing also include cultural significance. The earliest description of Shouxing in Chinese literature is from Hanyue Poem (汉乐府), a poetry collection that could date back to BC 200. The feature of Shouxing has become an elderly who is “big protruded forehead”, “long ear”, “riding a deer”, “holding long wand and peach” 

(refer to following website due to copyright: 

• https://digicol.dpm.org.cn/cultural/detail?id=5a2261795a414c3dba1bf6f1802a86d9
• https://digicol.dpm.org.cn/cultural/detail?id=96b836f79f1e47e3a4582ce6c225e72f). 

The last feature particularly represents healthy and longevity, therefore the disjoin on the wand holds necessary to receive treatment in the current situation (refer to Figure.4 ). 

Figure.4 Disjoin on wand on object's proper left side

The whole sculpture remains in a safe and stable condition in the assessment of 2021. However there are crackles and bubbles found on the glaze, and some insect frass are found on the object surface that needs to be cleaned.

Reference:

Cheng, B. & Sun, L.., 2020. 南极老人星崇拜下的寿星图像传播及其民俗意蕴 [Dissemination of the Image of the Longevity Star under the Worship of the Antarctic Old Man Star and Its Folk Implication]. Journal of Guangzhou University (Social Science Edition). 19-1, 12-18 

Liu, M., 2017. 中国传统工艺技术-石湾陶卷 [Chinese traditional craftsmanship - Shiwan Pottery]. Beijing: China Science Publishing & Media.

Liu, D., 2013. 石湾陶塑技艺 [Shiwan Pottery Sculpture Skill]. Guangzhou: Guangdong World Books Publishing Company.

故宫博物院数字文物库网站. https://digicol.dpm.org.cn/.

 

Verner’s Pattern VII compass and Case: Significance

 

This compass was issued and used during the first world war by a soldier in the 13^th battalion of the Rifle Brigade, which was stationed in France and Belgium (Rowlands, 1932). It is thought to have been used from 1916 as part of the soldier’s kit issued by the British War office. The battalion was a part of the battle of the Somme, and the battle of Arras, although it is unknown if the compass or its owner were present for these battles (Rowlands, 1932). The compass has remained within the family, passing to the son and grandson of the original owner.

The compass and case demonstrate a distinctive style synonymous with Verner’s pattern compasses, as well as displaying craftsmanship and precision engineering associated with a precision navigation instrument (Figure1) (Hutchinson, 1915). The craftsmanship and manufacture of the compass and case convey the style and value of the past and the regional variations to design (Combs, 2003).

Figure 1: Verner's Pattern VII compass issued during the First World War, and demonstrating the Verner's style of compass

The social significance of the compass derives from the personal emotional connections that derive from it remaining within the family and providing a tangible link to a family member and significant events within the family history.

Research significance is diminished by the condition of the compass, with parts of the compass missing (figure 2). Additionally, its future value is impacted by a stability and safety assessment conducted on the possible radium paint identified. The safety of the compass and case will significantly impact the value as a large part of the associated value comes from its useability, sentimental and aesthetic values, which would be compromised if safety concerns made the compass unable to be displayed or handled (Appelbaum, 2007).

Figure 2: The previous location of the finger ring can be identified by the holes which would have secured it to the compass. 

The condition also impacts the values associated with an object. The repair of the dial with household tape reduced the authenticity of the object by the inclusion of new materials (figure 3) (Appelbaum, 2007).

Figure 3: The fractured mother-of-pearl dial. The tape keeping the dial in place has yellowed.

The leather case also displays scratches associated with age-related wear. Of note, however, is the cracking of the leather on the strap, likely from the movement of the leather through the buckle (figure 4). Cracking is also appearing on the side of the case, likely occurring from the case's opening. This wear, however, also demonstrates how the compass case was being used in the past.

Figure 4: The cracking of the leather likely from the movement of the leather through the buckle.

  

References:

Appelbaum, B., 2007. Conservation Treatment Methodology. Oxford: Elsevier.

Combs, J. H., 2003. The Antiques Trade: The Diffusion of America's Cultural Patrimony. Material Culture, 35(1), pp. 42-54.

Hutchinson, H. D., 1915. MILITARY SKETCHING MADE EASY, AND MILITARY MAPS EXPLAINED. 7th ed. London: Gale & Polden LTD..

Rowlands, D. H., 1932. For the Duration: The Story of the Thirteenth Battalion the Rifle Brigade. London: Simpkin Marshall Limited.