Excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse me!

**************************************************************************
Mark Nielsen
Exhibit Designer/Preparator
University of Michigan Museum of Art
[log in to unmask]      313/647-2068

On Sun, 26 Jan 1997, Diane Gutenkauf wrote:

> In response to a posting regarding blood on a medical instrument I wrote:
>
> >>I was not aware that training in exhibit design now includes training in the
> >>conservation of metals. Just what are the effects of "standard
> >>disinfectants" on saw blades, anyway? How can we be certain that the
> >>accretion on the saw is blood? Was it tested?
> >
> >>Gutenkauf
>
> Jack Thompson responded
>
> >"Ick" is not an appropritate response.  If that seems hard, tough; move on
> >to another speciality.
>
> >Tools which demonstrate use are more important than tools which come out of
> >the bin in a hardware store.
>
> >The effect of "standard disinfectants" is to remove all traces of use and
> >that is not good; if there is a question about whether or not an accretion
> >is dried blood, there are tests for that which are very positive.  OJ
> >notwithstanding.
>
> Absolutely, and clearly I knew all that, but the point I very badly made is that
> we must ask questions, lots of questions, of our objects and ourselves, before
> we "treat" any object.
>
> How can we complain that we're not treated as professionals if we fail to act
> responsibly with regard to our objects? Responsible treatment of objects
> includes understanding that evidence of wear and use provide important clues to
> the questions "Who used this and Why?"  Responsible treatment also includes
> asking the proper questions of the proper people and it does not include well
> meaning, offhand, suggestions from mars. I am pleased that the original poster
> of the blood on the medical instrument question saught advice before she treated
> the object. I am a bit concerned that she (a conservation professional) wanted
> to remove an accretion that she seemed to assume was blood. I asked myself
> several basic questions: How did she know the stuff was blood; why did she want
> it removed; was she afraid of the material; was the material causing harm to the
> artifact; how can the material be documented before it is destroyed?
>
> How can we understand appropriate methods of interpreting objects if we fail to
> understand the objects in the first place?
>
> Gutenkauf
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> Diane Gutenkauf, Curator
> Elmhurst Historical Museum
> 120 E. Park Avenue
> Elmhurst, IL 60126 USA
>
> Voice: +(630) 833-1457
>   Fax: +(630) 833-1326
> Email: [log in to unmask] (Internet)
>        74547,377                (CompuServe)
>
> My opinions (strong as they are) are my own and do not reflect those of any
> institution with which I am affiliated
>