Jenny, Solange and Phedra are joined by Luisa Casella as we talk about AI: how can conservators use these tools and what are their pros and cons? Luisa tells us about CRAIG, a large language model for conservators, while Jenny frets about the climate impact. Also tune in for a review of a recent lecture on AI usage from Solange and Phedra!
01:35 What do we mean by AI?
04:11 Building a LLM for conservators
13:33 Climate impact and ethical concerns
20:28 Sophisticated users needed
24:13 Future impact on conservation
35:25 Best AI uses we’ve seen
37:46 How is CRAIG different from ChatGPT?
39:42 Teaser: Interview with Robert Erdmann
40:18 Review of Dr Nicholas Eastaugh’s recent AI lecture
47:34 Patreon appeal
Jenny and Liz talk to Dr Marysia Tarnowska about their journey into heritage science from a background in chemistry: from molecular bonds to leather deterioration! Jenny also talks to Dr Josep Grau-Bove from the Icon Heritage Science Group about how we can communicate better as both conservators and scientists. Finally, tune in for a review of ‘Soft Paint and the Care of Paintings’ from Liz!
00:01:10 From chemistry to museum adventures
00:07:35 A project is born
00:14:53 Scientific papers are an endurance sport
00:17:23 Ways into heritage science
00:19:08 Communicating with conservators
00:24:02 Reaching scientists early on
00:34:28 Museums doing research
00:40:53 Getting involved with scientists
00:43:42 University is where it’s at
00:47:13 Don’t forget about the Marsh Awards
00:48:00 Patreon shout-out
00:48:37 Interview with Dr Josep Grau-Bove
01:03:11 Review: Soft Paint and the Care of Paintings
Join Jenny, Kloe and Liz as they explore historic houses across the world, their unique charms, and quirky challenges. Phedra whisks us away to a sun-soaked historic house museum in Cyprus, while Liz delves into the meticulous conservation efforts at Sir John Soane’s Museum with Jane Wilkinson. Finally, Kloe has a chat with Helen Antrobus about what it’s like working in the National Trust.
00:00:28 What’s a historic house?
00:03:18 Are all of them posh?
00:07:03 Nature and heritage in harmony
00:09:30 Our favourites
00:16:30 Jenny feels like an alien
00:23:14 Mitigating damage
00:24:56 Houses still in use
00:31:12 Challenges and temptations
00:37:21 What era are we interpreting or preserving?
00:40:57 Pests and damp patches
00:44:28 Patreon shout out
00:45:00 Interview with Jane Wilkinson
00:56:00 Phedra’s visit to Lefkara
01:07:17 Interview with Helen Antrobus
Liz and Phedra join forces with freelance paintings conservator Alexis Drapanas as they tackle an ECP special! Phedra also interviews conservator Kerith Koss Schrager and intern Adrienne Gendron about health and safety for emerging professionals. And don’t forget to tune in for a Dear Jane about getting into some more unusual specialisms!
00:00:45 Introducing our ECP hosts
00:08:02 Straight from university to private practice
00:09:15 What does ‘emerging’ mean to you?
00:16:01 Let’s talk money!
00:24:37 Paperwork in real life
00:29:22 Job searching across Europe
00:37:44 How to break down the door
00:45:45 Patreon teaser
00:46:00 Interview with Kerith Koss Schrager and Adrienne Gendron
01:00:57 Phedra’s recommended listening
01:03:19 Dear Jane
Meet the dream team! It’s a crowded recording session today: Jenny and Kloe ask their new colleagues Liz, Phedra, and Solange about their new roles and their favourite objects, tools, and adhesives. What ARE a few of our favourite things? Also tune in for a review of ‘Conservation of Books’ from Solange!
00:02:16 Who’s Liz?
00:04:22 And who’s Phedra?
00:07:00 Aaand who’s Solange?
00:09:38 Experimentation ahead
00:14:10 Favourite Instagram accounts
00:17:08 Favourite objects
00:25:31 Least favourite objects!
00:34:02 Can you have a favourite pest…?
00:37:33 Favourite adhesive
00:53:38 Favourite tools
01:04:17 Review: Conservation of Books
In this special bonus episode we make a couple of overdue announcements, take you with us to an award ceremony in Cardiff, and profess our undying love for our listeners. Would you like to join us on The C Word team? Get in touch!
00:57 We’re having a break – and we’re recruiting!
07:31 We’ve got an award
09:21 Recording from The 30(ish) Awards
17:50 Dear Jane teaser
18:51 Patreon shout out
In this one we talk to Professor Aviva Burnstock about what paintings can be and we chat with Polly Saltmarsh about communicating conservation and the joys of sticky toffee pudding sauce. Also tune in for a review of ‘On Canvas: Preserving the Structure of Paintings’ by Stephen Hackney from Kloe.
03:48 When is a painting a painting?
10:05 On the nature of painted surfaces
13:13 How students might approach a painting
16:20 A chat about varnish
27:39 The joy of microscopy
28:39 Gut feelings and forgeries
34:06 Interview with Polly Saltmarsh
48:03 Review: On Canvas
52:28 Patreon appeal
We’re joined by special guest host Cass Fino-Radin as we talk about time-based media: what it can be, what the challenges are, and what we can do to preserve it. From mechanical components to maintaining software, we geek out about everything that’s wonderful about this type of conservation. Also tune in for a review of poetry pamphlet ‘Accessioning’ by Charlotte Wetton.
00:21 A long-time spreadsheet idea
02:44 A potted history of time-based media (maybe)
05:41 Conservation of performance art
10:26 The wildest thing about time-based media
12:40 Cass’ origin story
22:36 Blurry objects and things going off
27:54 More suggestions for what time-based media is
30:55 Old vs new technology
36:56 What makes a good time-based media conservator?
40:03 Review: Accessioning
44:54 Patreon appeal
In this episode Jenny and Kloe address a correction before launching into a takeover special: join Kloe, Nerys Rudder and Jane Henderson as they go to the ‘Changing the World: Approach, Strategy and the Future of University Museums’ UMG conference and run around the newly refurbished Manchester Museum.
03:55 A correction from Jane
07:13 Other comments from listeners
12:19 Three conservators go to a conference
55:28 Patreon appeal
Together with special co-host Alison Lister we explore the private sector: from our workspaces to how we learn on the job. Join us for a catch-up on Jenny’s adventures in business, along with Kloe’s commercial experience and Alison’s passionate call for us all to share more. Bridget Mitchell tells us about finding joy in your business and the power of positive thinking. Also tune in for an audio tour of Jenny’s workspace and a round-up of the Museums + Heritage Show in London.
00:00:42 Wait, are we talking business again?
00:05:16 The old museum vs business conundrum
00:09:27 The importance of Time
00:15:48 What does a conservation space look like?
00:18:42 Why we need to make a fuss
00:27:55 Private practice is people work
00:33:13 How could we be supported to share more?
00:35:18 Training and professional development
00:46:26 The future of private practice
00:49:49 Jenny’s round-up of the Museums + Heritage Show and Icon meet-up
00:55:18 Interview with Bridget Mitchell
01:04:43 Tour of Jenny’s workspace
01:12:07 Patreon appeal