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.