Topics in Preservation Science
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When the Whole is Greater than the Parts: A Holistic Approach to Preservation and Exhibition
December 4, 2008, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Pickford Theater, 3rd floor James Madison Building
ABOUT THE LECTURE:
All too often, it appears that the twin goals of preservation and exhibition are in conflict. Is this inevitable? How can all participants work together to avoid or satisfactorily resolve potential conflicts? The answers may be surprising. One can actually improve the qualitative experience for the visitor while maintaining proper conditions for the preservation of the artifacts. In large measure, we can achieve this by asking the correct questions, both conceptually and technically, and by utilizing the most suitable tools to implement an acceptable solution without compromising either goal.
New technologies and ideas can lead to improvements; however, one must review more traditional approaches that have been either neglected or misrepresented over the years. Drawing from actual examples encountered in museum and historic house settings, this presentation will examine a number of environmental issues associated with preservation and exhibition, and will provide guidance on how to analyze and implement possible solutions.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Steven Weintraub is the founder and principal of Art Preservation Services, Inc. in New York City. Prior to this, he was an objects conservator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a conservation researcher at the Getty Conservation Institute. He consults with many museums throughout the country as an environmental preservation specialist, and is the conservation consultant to both the Port Authority of NY & NJ and the National September 11 Memorial Museum for the preservation of their collections of September 11th artifacts. He has developed a number of products that are currently used in museum microclimates throughout the world, and is actively involved in innovative research on color perception and illumination of museum collections.