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Conservation and Technical Services |
Symposium 2007 will provide an opportunity for Aboriginal people and conservation specialists to learn from one another - in an atmosphere of mutual respect - about traditional, technical, ethical, and intangible aspects of the conservation of Aboriginal material culture. It is being organized by the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI), with input and guidance from an Advisory Committee comprising members of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities across Canada.
Collections Management and Planning Division provides services to the museum for both the preservation/restoration of the collections (conservation services) and for the means of presenting the objects to the public (technical services). The provision of these specialized services from this group is outlined below.
Conservation services
The Arts Section specializes in the preservation and restoration treatment of objects made of paper, textiles and paintings. The Artifacts Section specializes in the treatment of three dimensional objects made of wood, metal, fur, bone, etc.
The conservators carry out their work in twelve laboratories including:
- archaeological lab
- chemical treatment lab
- conservation science lab
- fine arts lab
- general lab
- isolation room for fumigation and freezing objects (to kill insects)
- metals lab
- paper lab
- furniture finishing lab
- textile lab
Objects requiring conservation and/or restoration go through one or more of these laboratories. The selection of the lab treatment depends upon the type of object, its condition and the ultimate desired goal for the piece.
Before undertaking any treatment to an object, the conservation staff discuss the intended repair of the object with the curators and gain their approval. The conservators also advise and consult with the museum staff on any intended use of the objects within the museum's care.
The conservators are also involved with the care of the objects in the reserve collections. They provide guidance to the collections managers on such matters as the appropriate storage systems and materials to be used for a variety of fragile objects. One very important and ongoing part of the services the conservators provide is monitoring the storage and display environments to ensure correct levels of temperature, humidity and light are maintained as well as ensuring insect infestations are avoided.
Conservation of a kayak
Conserving ceramic treasures
A Basket from Kodlunarn Island
Technical services
The Model and Display Section staff specialize in the design and manufacture of scientifically accurate scale models, historical reconstructions and dioramas (dioramas are naturalistic settings, "a moment in time frozen for eternity"). This is achieved by carving, sculpting, moulding, casting and painting a variety of display materials. Mannequins, environmental settings and full scale reproductions are also produced by this section. The Fabrication and Installation Section staff specialize in the production of exhibition furniture such as display cases and noticeboards, the design and construction of artifact mounts and supports, and the preparation of exhibitions. As well, this section is responsible for the installation and dismantling of temporary exhibits both in national and international venues.
There are seven laboratory/workshops:
- cabinet makers workshop
- painting workshop
- silkscreening production workshop
- modelmakers lab
- modelmakers equipment workshop
- technicians lab
- cabinet makers setup room
This group of technical specialists provide an advisory service to museum staff (e.g. researchers and designers) who may be planning to use the object collections. All aspects of the project are discussed during the planning stages and the technicians within these sections recommend the best means of production etc. These staff can then carry out the fabrication work in the laboratories.
