Speaker: Kathryn Haigh, BA, President & CEO, Eiteljorg Museum of Native and Western Arts
Introduced By: Helmi Banta
Attendance: NESC: 87, Zoom: 37
Guest(s): Larry Elstro, Valerie Jackson, Robert Sharpe
Scribe: Terry Ihnat
Editor: Carl Warner
View a recording of today’s Zoom presentation at:
Today's Program 031824
Museology is the study of museums and includes exploration of the collections’ history and activities such as curating, preserving, and education.
The curator’s job is to acquire objects for exhibitions. Years may go into the planning before an exhibition is unveiled. Objects are acquired by gifts, bequests, long and short-term loans, and museums acquire objects to fill in gaps in their present collections. In the Eiteljorg’s case, 10% are purchased and 90% are acquired by gifts and bequests.
In collection acquisition and authentication, some of the processes used include artists’ letters, dealers’ papers, publishing, and exhibition history.
Provenance (chain of custody) is explored in the authentication process. Physical examination of the objects including looking at signatures, labels, and other marks, which are usually on the back of the article and may talk of previous exhibitions etc.
Crating and packing for protection during transport is complex, and transport could be by semi, plane, boat, and courier. Dealing with customs is part of the process.
Storage materials are scientifically prepared to ensure physical protection from movement and protection from acids and gases in the storage materials themselves. Storage mechanisms differ between 2-D and 3-D objects, and items are rotated at intervals specific to the type of object to help preserve them.
In order to protect exhibits from damage, displays are carefully designed with requirements such as the use of sturdy but unobtrusive mounts, no VOC paint, and the possible use of desiccants. Light levels are controlled as is the climate with the goal of having 50% humidity at 70º Fahrenheit. Barriers and risers are needed in exhibits to help protect the displayed objects from the public.
Conservation includes things such as dusting, climate control, light level, and rotation. Conservation treatment could include cleaning, varnish removal and application, inpainting, repair of cleaving paint, pigment loss, structural and canvas damage. Methods are chosen such that they can be reversed to return the object to its original form. Scientific methods are employed as is specialized equipment like spectrometers to help detect things such as heavy metal concentrations.
NAZI Germany’s caches of stolen artifacts were stored salt mines which had the ideal humidity and temperature for preservation.
Kathryn Haigh
