From Sharks to Sugar: Addressing Conservation Issues of ... - incca

Chapter 2: METHODOLOGIES
To learn more about my topic, I employed five different primary
research methods. The first was the literature review of the written
material pertaining to topics of the evolution of art conservation,
contemporary art and its unique challenges in conservation, and
contemporary artists’ use of non-traditional materials. Second, I attended a
conference “The Object in Transition” to hear experts in art conservation
and art history discuss this topic. Third, I interviewed two experts in the
fields of conservation and collections management who have participated
in research relating to my topic. Fourth, I performed three crosscomparative
case studies by interviewing both museum professionals and
artists who work in nontraditional ephemeral media, focusing on one piece
of artwork at each museum. I focused on one case each from three
different museums with contemporary art made with nontraditional
ephemeral media in their permanent collections. I carried out these case
studies to learn how different museums in the San Francisco Bay Area are
currently caring for this type of artwork, any opportunities for
improvement, and to get the artist’s perspective.
Finally, I attended a training workshop given by the International
Network for the Conservation of Contemporary Art, “Interview
Methodology for Conservators” at an American Institute for Conservation
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