The C Word

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

Show Notes:
– The Courtauld Institute of Art: https://courtauld.ac.uk/
– Art and Artifice fakes exhibition: https://courtauld.ac.uk/whats-on/art-and-artifice-fakes-from-the-collection/
– Fake or Fortune: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01mxxz6
– Polly’s website: https://www.paintingsconservation.co.uk/
– Reopening the National Portrait Gallery: https://www.npg.org.uk/blog/road-to-reopening
– On Canvas: https://shop.getty.edu/products/on-canvas-preserving-the-structure-of-paintings-978-1606066263?variant=29175364157517

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Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Aviva Burnstock.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2023.

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

Show Notes:
– Art and Obsolescence podcast: https://www.artandobsolescence.com/
– Cass’ website: https://finoradin.info/
– Pip Laurenson: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/art-history/people/academic-staff/professor-pip-laurenson
– Episode with Glenn Wharton: https://www.artandobsolescence.com/episodes/005-glenn-wharton
– MoMA Media and Performance department: https://www.moma.org/about/curatorial-departments/media-performance
– S05E03 Contemporary Art: https://thecword.show/2019/04/17/s05e03-contemporary-art/
– Episode with Annet Dekker: https://www.artandobsolescence.com/episodes/043-annet-dekker
– Rhizome: https://rhizome.org/
– AIC 40th annual meeting in Albuquerque (2012): https://www.culturalheritage.org/docs/default-source/publications/periodicals/annual-meeting/2012-annual-meeting-abstracts.pdf?sfvrsn=1dbb1699_8
– Cass’ company Small Data Industries: https://smalldata.industries/
– Cooper Hewitt: https://www.cooperhewitt.org/
– S09E05 Dynamic Objects: https://thecword.show/2021/05/19/s09e05-dynamic-objects/
– S06E03 The One with the Arduino: https://thecword.show/2019/10/16/s06e03-the-one-with-the-arduino/
– S01E09 Museum Pi: https://thecword.show/2017/06/21/s01e09-museum-pi/
– Time-based media according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_and_restoration_of_time-based_media_art
– Planetary app case study: https://www.cooperhewitt.org/2019/05/16/planetary-cooper-hewitts-first-ios-app/
– Accessioning poetry pamphlet: https://theemmapress.com/shop/poetry/pamphlets/accessioning/

Support us on Patreon! http://www.patreon.com/thecword

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Cass Fino-Radin.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2023.

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

Show Notes:
– Manchester Museum: https://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/
– UMG Spring Conference 2023: http://universitymuseumsgroup.org/events/save-the-date-manchester-2023/
– S13E02 Accreditation Part 1: https://thecword.show/2023/04/05/s13e02-accreditation-part-1/

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, Jane Henderson and Nerys Rudder.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2023.

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

Show Notes:
– S11E04 Building a Business: https://thecword.show/2022/05/04/s11e04-building-a-business/
– S02E03 Freelancing: https://thecword.show/2017/09/22/s02e03-freelancing/
– Alison’s company: https://textileconservation.co.uk/
– S09E08 Dyes in Conservation: https://thecword.show/2021/06/30/s09e08-dyes-in-conservation/
– Secrets of the National Trust: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secrets_of_the_National_Trust
– Hidden Treasures of the National Trust (the one Jenny actually meant): https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/film-tv/hidden-treasures-of-the-national-trust
– Secrets of the Museum: https://www.vam.ac.uk/info/secrets-of-the-museum
– The Repair Shop: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08l581p
– Kickstart Scheme: https://www.kickstart-uk.com/
– S01E01 Demographics: https://thecword.show/2017/02/15/demographics/
– Museums + Heritage Show: https://show.museumsandheritage.com/
– Plowden winner Julie Dawson: https://www.icon.org.uk/resource/icon-emeritus-member-julie-dawson-wins-prestigious-plowden-medal-for-conservation.html
– Marsh Charitable Trust awards: https://www.icon.org.uk/resource/winners-marsh-awards-for-conservation-2023.html
– Follow Bridget on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcapreservation/

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Alison Lister.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2023.

We’re joined by special guest host Stella Toonen as we explore a topic with many synonyms: public programming, outreach, adult learning, and so many more! We get enthused about ideas for events that conservation can get in on, and talk about the many pitfalls – and benefits – of co-creation in museums.

01:06 What’s this episode about?
03:52 Stella’s outreach journey
05:50 Kloe’s experiences facilitating events
09:39 Jenny’s experiences working with the public
13:27 Growing audiences and different offers
19:40 Examples of events for grown-ups
25:44 Saddling an artist with the work of museums
28:53 Stella’s research around co-creation
35:09 Involve conservators early!
38:02 Inspo for learning events
46:03 Comments, questions, and corrections
53:49 Patreon appeal and shout out

Show Notes:
– Follow Stella here: https://twitter.com/StellaToonen
– Stella’s website: https://stellatoonencom.wordpress.com/
– S11E03 Working with Learning: https://thecword.show/2022/04/20/s11e03-working-with-learning/
– Heritage Open Days: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/
– S05E06 Touchy Feely: https://thecword.show/2019/05/29/s05e06-touchy-feely/
– Ladder of Participation explained: https://organizingengagement.org/models/ladder-of-citizen-participation/
– Tania Bruguera at the Tate: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/tania-bruguera-11982
– Tate: https://www.tate.org.uk/
– The Whitworth: https://www.whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/
– Queens Museum: https://queensmuseum.org/
– Awards, grants and scholarships mentioned for students: https://www.artsscholars.org/awards-grants-scholarships

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Stella Toonen.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2023.

We’re joined by curator Karen Logan as we talk about working with collections that stir up emotions and recent memories: from The Troubles in Northern Ireland to Brexit and activism. Also tune in for Kloe’s thoughts and feelings on human remains and other displays as she visited Egypt in February.

04:00 How did this episode come about?
08:26 What are The Troubles?
15:40 What to include
18:10 Contemporary collecting
23:40 Including people is powerful
26:11 Audience differences
27:50 Collecting Brexit
32:24 Responding to challenges
39:49 Kloe’s visit to NMEC
47:20 Patreon appeal and shout out

Show Notes:
– National Museums NI: https://www.nationalmuseumsni.org/
– The Troubles according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles
– Collecting The Troubles and Beyond: https://www.nationalmuseumsni.org/resources/collecting-troubles-and-beyond
– Collecting Cultures by NHLF: https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/about/insight/evaluation/collecting-cultures-evaluation
– PHM collecting: https://phm.org.uk/collections/
– James Ellis (actor): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Ellis_(actor)
– Nothing About Us Without Us exhibition: https://phm.org.uk/exhibitions/nothing-about-us-without-us/
– National Museum of Egyptian Civilization: https://nmec.gov.eg/

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Karen Logan.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2023.

We have a chat amongst ourselves about the process of becoming an accredited conservator, as seen by two mid-career people staring at the application form in fear and distress. This episode contains snippets of both Jenny’s and Kloe’s thoughts on the very early stages of getting ready to even apply, being on the Pathway (PACR), and some of the notable barriers. Kloe also interviews Heather Doyle about how accreditation works and how it will be changing, and Dear Jane handles a question about how to pitch for more hours of work.

00:00:33 Jenny’s long road on the Pathway
00:05:38 Kloe’s speed-run
00:11:26 The murky history of accreditation
00:16:01 Evidence is everything
00:21:27 Reasons to go for it
00:23:41 Specialisms are made up
00:29:50 Jenny frets about things after a workshop
00:32:36 Kloe’s commitment
00:37:17 Kloe’s anxiety about specialisms and forms
00:40:49 Kloe’s confused about mentors
00:42:08 Kloe discovers the Pathway
00:43:35 Kloe’s funding issues
00:45:20 Interview with Heather Doyle
01:12:56 Postscript (sort of)
01:16:18 Dear Jane
01:23:59 Patreon shout out and appeal

Show Notes:
– All about Icon accreditation: https://www.icon.org.uk/accreditation.html
– The Conservation Register: https://www.conservationregister.com/

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson and Kloe Rumsey.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2023.

We talk to community-building conservator Melissa King about nurturing communication between collections care professionals and the growing preservation community at Conserv. Jenny also talks to heritage consultant Sarah Marsom about being a moderator online, and to chief exec Sara Crofts about Icon’s use of Discord and Basecamp. Don’t forget to tune in for a Dear Jane about getting some conservation experience in South Africa!

00:02:15 Web based communities and conservation
00:04:27 Whatever happened to forums?
00:09:44 Different ways and levels of engaging
00:10:50 Kloe feels clueless (but isn’t really)
00:16:39 Developing communities for different audiences
00:20:05 Platform options out there
00:25:09 Being too afraid to post
00:31:11 Kloe joins the Conserv community
00:37:26 Jenny wants a Mastodon instance for conservators
00:40:17 Interview with Sarah Marsom
00:53:40 Interview with Sara Crofts
01:04:50 Dear Jane
01:12:24 Patreon shout out and funding plea

Show Notes:
– Join the Conserv Community here: https://community.conserv.io/join?invitation_token=18de977edaf111954e06b897a6ab0356181e1c1a-97dcab76-66ae-4e51-8831-e2d9f5d886f4
– Conserv: https://bit.ly/3TvkFfB
– S09E04 Environmental Monitoring: https://thecword.show/2021/05/05/s09e04-environmental-monitoring/
– Conserv’s upcoming conference: https://conserv.io/preservation-matters-2023/
– Conservation DistList archives: https://cool.culturalheritage.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
– Global Conservation Forum: https://community.culturalheritage.org/communities/community-home?CommunityKey=ea3d002c-9fc3-4446-b7d2-c308f5faed13
– Online communities as defined by Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Online_community
– Connecting to Collections Care community: https://connectingtocollections.org/
– ConCode: https://www.concode.info/
– A quick guide to Facebook Groups: https://www.lifewire.com/facebook-groups-4103720
– Discord: https://discord.com/
– Slack: https://slack.com/
– Circle: https://circle.so/
– Cardiff Conservation Graduates FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/132162183909/
– FREELANCE Conservators in Private Practice FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1679578638848189/
– Art Conservation Advocates FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/artconservationadvocates/
– Reddit’s /r/MuseumPros: https://www.reddit.com/r/MuseumPros/
– Reddit’s /r/ArtConservation: https://www.reddit.com/r/ArtConservation/
– A succinct explanation to the Fediverse: https://gist.github.com/joepie91/f924e846c24ec7ed82d6d554a7e7c9a8
– The GLAM server on Mastodon: https://glammr.us/
– Sarah Marsom: https://www.sarahmarsom.com/
– Historic Preservation Professionals FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PreservationProfessionals
– National Council of Public History on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/publichistorians
– Basecamp: https://basecamp.com/
– Example of Cex Drop-In Session via Icon: https://www.icon.org.uk/events/cex-drop-in-session-april-2023-2.html
– ICOM-CC open access papers treasure trove: https://www.icom-cc-publications-online.org/
– Studies in Conservation: https://www.iiconservation.org/publications/sic
– JAIC: https://www.culturalheritage.org/publications/journal-(jaic)
– JIC: https://www.icon.org.uk/resources/journal-of-the-institute-of-conservation.html
– AICCM Bulletin: https://aiccm.org.au/publications/aiccm-bulletin/
– Thoughts on commercial taxidermy skills: https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/conservation/2310-2/
– Connect with Monique Vajifdar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-vajifdar-470025211/
– South African Museums Association: https://samuseums.co.za/

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Melissa King.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2023.

As we huddle up in a pew with Dr Sarah Turner we talk about Christmas in cathedrals, play a parlour game of Five Things, and make some predictions for the year ahead. Kloe talks to Beth Gillions about her time as a caretaker at Westminster Chapel in winter, and Todd Wright sings our rendition of ‘Silent Night’ for some extra feels. Also tune in for a review of ‘National Treasures: Saving the Nation’s Art in World War II’ from Jenny and a Dear Jane about pre-programme experience in the US. Happy holidays!

02:02 Uses of church spaces and collections around Christmas
08:59 Five Things parlour game
19:00 Annual predictions
24:19 Interview with Beth Gillions
32:27 Install Night (Christmas song)
34:22 Review: National Treasures
37:30 Dear Jane

Show Notes:
– Canterbury Cathedral: https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/
– Lambeth conference: https://www.lambethconference.org/
– Vestments: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestment
– Liturgical colours: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgical_colours
– Jenny’s favourite Disney film: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunchback_of_Notre_Dame_(1996_film)
– Westminster Chapel: https://westminsterchapel.org.uk/
– More music by Todd Wright (our singer this year): https://open.spotify.com/artist/4774AfmqyBy6472bdgGD5F
– National Treasures by Caroline Shenton: https://www.carolineshenton.co.uk/book/national-treasures-saving-the-nations-art-in-world-war-ii/
– Example of online volunteering (in the UK): https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/about/get-involved/volunteering/volunteering-opportunities/remote-opportunities/
– Repair cafe movement: https://www.repaircafe.org/en/
– State of NC Internship Program: https://ncadmin.nc.gov/public/internship-program-2023

***

Install Night (vocals by Todd Wright, lyrics by Kloe Rumsey, Beth Gillions, and Morgan Fox)

Install night, loans done right
Objects in crates, snug and tight,
Weatherproof, padded with Plastazote foam,
Labelled sections in temporary homes
Acclimate them for install
Acclimate them for install

Install night, gloves in sight
Forms laid out on which couriers will write,
No change occurred on the journey here
Loan reports for take-down next year
Per diem and a budget meal
Per diem and a budget meal

***

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Dr Sarah Turner.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2022.

Together with special co-host Sean Kelly we talk about all things redevelopment: from the strange sensation of taking things off display, to the joy of opening the doors, and why museum work never stops. Also tune in for interviews with Georgina Young from Manchester Museum, Alex Cropper from Manchester Jewish Museum, and Chris Weeks from Manx National Heritage.

00:00:51 What’s happening in Paisley?
00:05:24 Putting collections in new places
00:07:44 The odd melancholy of a decant
00:13:47 Building design and collections care
00:19:21 How long does a big funding bid take?
00:23:04 Why do we redevelop and who decides?
00:29:06 The things people get upset about
00:39:51 How often do you redevelop?
00:45:27 Interview with Georgina Young
00:57:20 Interview with Alex Cropper
01:06:07 Interview with Chris Weeks

Show Notes:
– Paisley Museum and Art Galleries: https://paisley.is/paisley-museum-and-art-galleries/
– City of Culture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_City_of_Culture
– Carmarthenshire Museums and an old Debenhams: https://newsroom.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/2022/08/former-debenhams-building-to-be-used-to-bring-together-key-public-services-all-under-one-roof/#.Y494XOzP2A4
– ALA projects: https://www.ala.uk.com/selected-projects/
– The Wellcome thread everyone got oddly upset about: https://twitter.com/ExploreWellcome/status/1596091202381975552
– Wellcome gallery closure statement: https://wellcomecollection.org/pages/Y4TdMBAAACMApB14
– Ipswich Museum redevelopment: https://ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/ipswichmuseumredevelopment/
– People being angry at Ipswich redevelopment plans: https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/local-council/20706027.ipswich-museum-addresses-petition-reassures-history-will-preserved/
– Article Kloe was quoting: https://www.victoriansociety.org.uk/news/ipswich-museum-under-threat-from-historically-insensitive-redevelopment
– What’s happening to the old Museum of London site: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/nov/27/museum-of-london-plans-to-demlish-site-bastion-house-sheppard-robson-diller-scofidio-renfro-centre-for-music
– Manchester Museum’s Hello Future redevelopment: https://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/about/hellofuture/
– Manchester Jewish Museum: https://www.manchesterjewishmuseum.com/
– Manx National Heritage: https://manxnationalheritage.im/
– Isle of Man TT Gallery project: https://manxnationalheritage.im/about-us/isle-of-man-tt-gallery/
– Zenzie Tinker Conservation: https://www.zenzietinker.co.uk/

Support us on Patreon!

Hosted by Jenny Mathiasson, Kloe Rumsey, and Sean Kelly.

Intro and outro music by DDmyzik, used under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license.

A Wooden Dice production, 2022.