According to an article in the December 20, 2015 issue of The New York Times (“Monuments’ Removal Challenged”), a plan to remove four Confederate monuments, two of which are on the National Register of Historic Places, from New Orleans has been challenged by three preservation organizations and the New Orleans chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Although the suit is based on the issue of whether the land beneath the monuments is publically or privately owned, it contends that the monuments are part of the city’s history and should be protected. Many who pushed for their removal see the monuments as representatives of an offensive ideology. If we are being honest we must acknowledge that many much older monuments that we look at and judge primarily on aesthetic terms are representatives of different offensive ideologies. Perhaps what is needed is to send them all to a museum of offensive monuments.
Month: December 2015
It may be legal, but is it wise?
On December 24th, Hyperallergic, a forum on art and culture, reported on an experiment that is being conducted by “Cards Against Humanity” in which 150,000 people who paid $15 apiece for the privilege of receiving eight mystery gifts during the month of December have, as one gift, been given the opportunity to vote on whether they wish to receive a sliver of a Picasso print–the linocut “Tete de Faune, edition of 50– or to have the work donated to The Art Institute of Chicago (http://hyperallergic.com/263915/150000-people-will-vote-to-preserve-or-pulverize-a-picasso/). If the majority wish to say that they own something by Picasso, then the print will be divided into 150,000 pieces using a laser. While this experiment may be legal, is it wise?
Job Posting: Paintings Conservator – Union League Club of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
UNION LEAGUE CLUB OF CHICAGO
Position Title: Paintings Conservator
Reports to: Art Curator
Position Summary: Responsible for all examination, maintenance, preventative conservation measures and conservation treatments of the art collection of the Union League Club of Chicago. Provides support to the Art Department in exhibition, loan, acquisition, and collection management initiatives.
Essential Functions:
- Conducts annual collection survey. In consultation with Curator, creates, maintains, and updates conservation priority list.
- Responsible for all painting conservation treatments, and consults with Curator on an ongoing basis during course of treatment. Responsible for all written documentation as well as photographic documentation of conservation projects. Researches and advises on care of all other objects in collection.
- In charge of regular maintenance (such as dusting and cleaning glass, etc.) and preventive conservation measures for all works in the collection to protect art and keep safe from hazards (attach painting backing boards, new hardware, examine and advise on environmental/lighting issues and room setups).
- Alerts curator to environmental conditions and lighting conditions that may be hazardous to art work and suggests ways to improve these conditions.
- Interacts with Art Committee, as appropriate, advising of progress on specific treatments and on the priority list as a whole.
- Maintains and updates conservation and collection data in the collection management database (TMS).
- Examines artwork requested for loan (outgoing and incoming) and prepares objects for travel (including treatment). Prepares outgoing and incoming condition reports (written and visual documentation). Alerts curator to any changes that may be the result of travel and/or improper handling and care.
- Advises and assists with safe handling, storage, and installation of paintings, as needed by curator.
- Alerts staff to proper method of handling and moving art work and to potential hazards to art work (such as easels too close to paintings, steam tables directly underneath artwork). Apprises curator of all such hazards.
- Occasionally gives lectures about various conservation topics to membership and writes articles for State of the Union ULC member magazine) or website.
- Keeps informed on new conservation techniques, technology, and theory through membership in professional organizations, reading, workshops, and interaction with other conservators.
- In conjunction with the curator, monitors conservation budget and makes recommendation for equipment for future planning.
- Performs all other duties as assigned by the employer.
Qualifications and Skills:
Education: Graduate Degree from recognized conservation institution w/specialization in paintings conservation.
Experience: Minimum 3 years work experience (post-graduate work).
Additional Skills: Proven experience using different conservation methods, strong research, superior organizational skills, strong communication and public speaking skills. Working knowledge of TMS collection database system a plus. Digital photography proficiency. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Professional and friendly demeanor, sense of humor, along with a strong work ethic is required.
Contact information:
Kathy Mirek, HR Generalist
kmirek@ulcc.org
(312) 435-4816
Options for applying are:
-Faxing your resume to (312) 435-5971 with a cover page specifying your position of interest
-Emailing resume to kmirek@ulcc.org
-Filling out an application at our security entrance: 312 Federal St. Chicago, IL 60604
Fellowship Opportunity: 2016 – 2017 Sherman Fairchild Post Graduate Fellowship in Conservation – Morgan Library & Museum (New York, NY)
2016 – 2017 Sherman Fairchild Post Graduate-Fellowship in Conservation*
(Full-time)
Job Responsibilities
The Morgan Library & Museum announces a one-year renewable post-graduate fellowship in the Thaw Conservation Center. The Sherman Fairchild Post-Graduate Fellowship in Conservation provides a junior professional with the opportunity to apply the principles of paper and book conservation acquired through an accredited graduate program in museum/library conservation or equivalent work/life experience. The Fellow will carry out examination, documentation, analysis, treatment, and research on the Morgan’s magnificent collections of drawings, rare books, and literary, historical, and music manuscripts, and will contribute significantly to the institution’s program of exhibitions. Participating in all Center activities, the Fellow will gain professional experience in paper and/or book conservation while commencing a conservation career.
The Thaw Conservation Center is a major resource in New York City for the conservation and technical study of works on paper and bound materials (themorgan.org).
The Fellowship term will begin in September 2016. It is renewable for one additional year.
Deadline for applications: February 1, 2016
Qualifications
- Applicants should be graduates of a recognized graduate-level program in conservation or be able to demonstrate the acquisition of equivalent skills and knowledge through work/life experience. A portfolio of treatments and research projects is required of all applicants.
- Candidates should possess strong public speaking and written communications skills.
- The Fellow should have a demonstrated commitment to the profession of conservation and scholarly advancement.
Compensation: Annual compensation is $38,125.00 plus benefits. Details on compensation and the hiring process will be provided to those selected for interviews.
To apply: Applicants should submit electronically a cover letter addressing their interest in the Fellowship, including a statement of career goals and areas of particular interest; curricula vitae; and three letters of recommendation to Margaret Holben Ellis, Director, Thaw Conservation Center at tcc@themorgan.org.
*Generously underwritten by the Sherman Fairchild Foundation, Inc.
Internship: Summer Cataloging Project – Boston Furniture Archive (Boston, MA)
Boston Furniture Archive – Summer Internships in Massachusetts
The Boston Furniture Archive, a project of the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, seeks interns for its third annual summer field cataloging project, scheduled for June 1-August 23, 2016. Up to four interns will receive training and work as a team to document furniture at a number of museums and heritage sites in the Boston area. The internship is an exciting opportunity to build knowledge of material culture and decorative arts, museum and non-profit collections management, and database creation.
The Boston Furniture Archive is free, online database that provides catalog information and photographs of furniture produced in Boston between 1630 and 1930. Visit http://bostonfurniture.winterthur.org/ to access the database and learn more about the project.
Interns will receive a stipend of $5,000 plus $1,000 for travel over the twelve weeks. Housing is not provided.
Please visit http://www.winterthur.org/pdfs/boston_furniture_internship.pdf for more information and application instructions. Applications are due February 1, 2016.
Contact:
Sarah Parks
Project Manager, Boston Furniture Archive
Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library
sparks (at) winterthur.org
302-888-4639
Job Posting: Conservator – National Archives and Records Administration (Washington, DC)
The National Archives and Records Administration (Washington DC area) will be announcing opening for two GS-11/12 Conservators. These are permanent full time positions with areas of focus in book and paper records of archival significance. Duties include the assessment and treatment of paper-based and bound records to permit access, digitization, and exhibition; preventive conservation; and training other conservators, conservation technicians, and interns in conservation techniques. The postings will open January 4 and close Friday, January 15, 2016. Please check USAJOBS on January 4 for more information about the positions and the application process, or let us know if you would like us to send you a link when the positions are posted.
We are also projecting postings for two additional GS 13 positions with areas of specialty focused on conservation support of digitization or exhibition.
For additional information, please contact either Terry.Boone@nara.gov or Amy.Lubick@nara.gov.
Conference Announcement: Archiving 2016 – National Archives (Washington, DC)
Archiving 2016
April 19-22, 2016
National Archives
Washington, DC
The IS&T Archiving Conference brings together an international community of imaging experts and technicians as well as curators, managers, and researchers from libraries, archives, museums, records management repositories, information technology institutions, and commercial enterprises to explore and discuss the field of digitization of cultural heritage and archiving. The conference presents the latest research results on digitization and curation, provides a forum to explore new strategies and policies, and reports on successful projects that can serve as benchmarks in the field. Archiving 2016 is a blend of short courses, invited focal papers, keynote talks, and peer-reviewed oral and interactive display presentations, offering attendees a unique opportunity for gaining and exchanging knowledge and building networks among professionals.
For preliminary program & registration, click here.
This could open up amazing possibilities
I only read The New Yorker on the subway. Since I haven’t spent much time on the subway recently, I’ve been behind on my New Yorker reading and only just saw John Seabrook’s article, “The Invisible Library” from the November 16th issue. In it, Seabrook discusses how digital technologies like computerized tomography, x-ray fluorescence imaging, and x-ray phase contrast XRPC) imaging are being applied to the reconstruction of the texts of badly damaged manuscripts, focusing on attempts to have a carbonized papyrus scroll excavated at Herculaneum (in the collection of the library of the Institut de France) brought to the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble for XRPC examination. The scroll has not yet been “virtually unwrapped”, but if this is accomplished one day, imagine what amazing possibilities could open up.
Getty Workshop Series – Current Issues in Photograph Conservation
collage. © 2007 Tim Hawkinson. Commissioned by JPGM.
The nature of photography is evolving. Rapid and transformative innovations are both exciting and challenging for conservators. The profession needs to find ways to effectively share current knowledge and research to reach caretakers of these changing and growing collections. The Getty Conservation Institute is pleased to announce a new series of workshops that focus on topics relating to the contemporary conservation treatment of photographic materials.
Current Issues in Photograph Conservation is designed primarily for mid-career conservators who work with photographic materials. Instructors in the series are preeminent experts in the field. Through lectures, discussions, and practical work, they will elucidate the various aspects of a given topic throughout each intensive workshop.
The first workshop in the series – The Digital Print: Contemporary Practice, Identification, and Preservation— will be offered from July 25 – 29, 2016 at the Getty Villa in Malibu, California.
For additional information and to complete an online application, go to: http://www.getty.edu/conservation/our_projects/education/cons_photo/digital_print.html
RE-ORG Crowdsourcing Project Launch
Collection Storage Tips and Tricks – “#reorgtips”
RE-ORG International is an initiative to assist small museums, libraries and archives reorganize their collections in storage for better access and long-term conservation. RE-ORG encourages the reuse and re-purposing of existing equipment and space. Ideas are out there; sometimes all you need is a little inspiration.
If you work with collections show us your tips and tricks!
Storing collections is not a simple task, and you know first-hand the challenge of having to strike a balance between conservation, institutional and financial concerns. Storage solutions must adapt to the needs of the object but at the same time optimize space usage and costs.
The good news is that it is often possible to repurpose or adapt already-existing equipment or materials, making sensible use of resources.
Many museums – through the years and at present – have found many inventive solutions:
ICCROM and the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) want to hear about all of them. Be part of a global solution!
Send us one or two photos of your storage solution with a short descriptive sentence that tells us:
- The type of object
- The materials used or re-used to create your storage solution
- Why this system is better than before
There are several options for sharing your photos:
- On the RE-ORG International Facebook page
- On Twitter, Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #reorgtips
- By email : reorgstorage (at) gmail (dot) com
You have until 31 January 2016 to send us your submission. The results will be posted on a Tumblr blog and hosted on the ICCROM website.
Important notice: By sending your images, you acknowledge that they are yours and that you have the permission to send them, but that you’re willing share them under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International licence.