ICOM-CC Conference Session 2007 
 
Managing a Finite Resource - Balancing Conservation and Use of Collections
 
20th to 22nd August 2007 in Vienna, Austria
 
During the ICOM General Conference in Vienna ICOM-CC invites all Conference delegates to a 
special session addressing the following topics: 
 
- Is it short-term political agendas or the long-term specialist's view that governs what we preserve and how? 
- How do we value and understand the process of preservation compared to the 'value' of the object?
- What parameters do we utilise when balancing the costs and benefits of conservation both today and in the long term? 
- How do we assess and manage the huge pressures put on objects and conservators to meet the 
   growing demands of visitors, travelling exhibitions and the long term preservation collections? 
- Collections should be used - not consumed? 
- Do the levels of funding for collections care reflect the economic value of those collections to society? 
 
Programme:
 
10.00 - 17.00 on Monday 20 August 2007 
(Each presentation 25-30 min)
 
JAN WOUTERS, Chair of ICOM-CC: Word of welcome 
 
JEANNE E. INCH, Director General and Chief Operating Officer, Canadian Conservation Institute, Ottawa, Canada 
"Applying risk management to decisions about use and preservation of heritage collections"
Abstract: 
Making decisions about use and preservation of heritage collections requires balancing many different risks and both immediate and long-term interests. Risk means everything that reduces the value of a collection over time, not just disasters and continual slow damage, but also the loss of access and meaning. A risk management (RM) approach provides a conceptual framework to 
address difficult questions of use and preservation, and more importantly, an institutional process. Studies of the determinants of successful RM in environment and health applications show that engagement of the stakeholders, transparency of technical advice, consideration of multiple and diverse values, and clear communication are key.
 
SIMON CANE, Head of Collections Care, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham, and 
MARY M. BROOKS, Reader and Programme Leader MA Museum Studies, University of Southampton, England
"What's it worth? - Politics and value of cultural heritage in the UK"
Abstract:
In this session Simon and Mary will explore past and prevailing attitudes towards the care and use of the cultural heritage by the UK government.  Through this process they will raise questions about how material culture is valued and what impact this has upon the cultural material and those responsible for its care and use.  This presentation will use the UK model to explore the issue if 'public value' and how this may used as a vehicle to promote wider understanding by the public and government of the benefits of a culture of preservation.  
 
GAËL DE GUICHEN, former Assistant to the Director of ICCROM, Rome, Italy.
"Collections must be used, not consumed"
Abstract:
Any presentation and use of collections necessarily lead to damage. In theory, the best conservation strategy would be to keep all collections in storage! This is not the scope of museums but this is not always fully understood by conservators-restorers. The talk will present examples and suggest ways in which conservators-restorers can better contribute to the challenge of museums: Managing a finite resource.
 
ANA LABRADOR, Memory of the World National Committee Philippines and vice chair of the International 
Committee for Training (ICTOP), The Philippines.
"Implications of Intangible Heritage in Preservation: Valuing community action in valuing objects"
Abstract:
The constraints of managing a finite resource is felt more acutely in countries like the Philippines wherein culture and arts programmes are last in priorities of developing economies. In this paper I would like to focus on intangible heritage in relation to preventive conservation practices, exploring processes of preservation practiced locally and traditionally.  Lore, oral history and 
storytelling are some of the devices to gather information on materials that may give us clues for making conservation decisions. This could further our understanding of other methods of preventive conservation beyond those that we have learned through conventional means. 
 
NICOLE GESCHÉ, former chair of International Committee for Education and Cultural Action (CECA) and 
editor of ICOM Education, Belgium.
"Five minutes for "eternity""
Abstract:
The impact of education on conservation has not often been surveyed. Yet, some European programmes show that guides are not sufficiently trained in conservation issues, would be willing to know more about them and moreover that the public who visits the museums and exhibitions they are in charge of would also appreciate being more informed. If each museum educator would dedicate 5 minutes of his/her educational activity towards raising conservation awareness the costs of conservation would 
today definitely drop and the benefits raise leading in the long term to an increase in benefits and an even bigger drop in costs.
 
KAPILA VATSAYAN, Vice Chair Indian National Cultural Council, Ministry of Human Resource Development 
of India (pending)
 
JØRGEN WADUM, former chair of ICOM-CC, Keeper of Conservation, Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, 
Denmark
"Crossing Boarders - Museum Collections on the Move"
Abstract:
Since 2004 the countries hosting the EU-presidency have initiated conferences to explore the policies behind collection mobility in a European context. The discussions facilitate the exchange of ideas and information about innovative forms of mobility of museum objects. Special consideration is given to insurance issues and the development of European guidelines for museum practices and standards in relation to loan contracts and facility reports. The question arises whether common standards 
in paperwork and logistics is the main issue or whether education and accreditation of the various museum professionals involved in the processes is not the first step towards 'building institutional trust' in sharing our cultural heritage.
 
CATHERINE ANTOMARCHI, Director Collections Unit ICCROM, Rome, Italy.
Moderator for the final Round Table discussion
------------------------------
Evening reception at the Liechtenstein Museum Vienna (www.liechtensteinmuseum.at)
(in collaboration with DEMHIST, ICDAD and ICFA) 
 
18.00 Welcome Reception
18.30 Guided museum tour (in English) Conservation Department of the LIECHTENSTEIN MUSEUM
20.00 Reception 
 
For the guided tour and the reception please register bindingly under 
[log in to unmask] 
Dead line for registration: July 28th 2007
 
------------------------------
 
Special visits for ICOM-CC members and invitees:
The local committee (Martina Griesser-Stermscheg, Manfred Koller - University of Applied Arts Vienna - Conservation Department) is organising tours and studio visits in Vienna. The discussion from the lectures on Monday will be continued as well as insights into current projects from the Viennese conservation-landscape will be offered. 
 
Tuesday 21 August 2007
 
09.30 Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien (www.khm.at <http://www.khm.at> ), 
Painting Conservation Department (Elke Oberthaler)
Chemical Lab (Martina Grießer)
Burgring 5, 1010 Vienna
 
11.00 Collection of Ancient Musical Instruments (Alfons Huber)
Neue Burg, Heldenplatz, 1010 Vienna
 
12.00 Lunch 
 
14.00 Museum of Carriages and Department of Court Uniforms 
Packing solutions for collections and museums (Martina Grießer, Ernst Gregor)
Schloß Schönbrunn, 1130 Vienna
 
15.00 Schönbrunn Castle (www.schoenbrunn.at)
Collection Management in Schönbrunn Castle (Wolfgang Kippes, pending)
Schloß Schönbrunn, 1130 Vienna
 
17.00 end
 
Wednesday 22 August 2007
 
09.30 Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art Vienna MAK (www.mak.at)
Depot of Contemporary Art. Gefechtsturm Arenbergpark (Manfred Trummer)
Dannebergplatz 6/ Barmherzigengasse, 1030 Vienna
 
11.30 Museum of the Institute for the History of Medicine - Josephinum. 
 (www.univie.ac.at/medizingeschichte/medhistmus_uebersicht.htm)
 Collection of anatomical wax models (Manfred Skopec, Sandra Kokarnig)
 Währinger Strasse 25, 1090 Vienna
 
13.00 Lunch
 
14.30 Crypt of the Capuchin Friars
Conservation of lead-tin-sarcophagis (Manfred Koller, Martina Griesser-Stermscheg, Tatjana Bayerova)
Tegetthoffstraße 2, 1010 Vienna
 
16.00 University of Applied Arts Vienna - Conservation Department
 (www.dieangewandte.at/restaurierung)
Textile Conservation Department (Regina Knaller)
Salzgries 14, 1010 Vienna
 
17.00 end
 
Changes in the timetable may occur.
 
 
 
 

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